GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KKCO)-- The Olathe Pirates' girls hoops team is on a mission to get back to the Great 8 in Fort Collins after missing out last year. On Friday that made trip closer to a possibility.

The 28th seeded Colorado Springs Christian Lions began the evening with a lead, but it was short-lived. In the second period of play, Kylie Tait of Olathe stripped Ryley Hoekert on the perimeter and took it herself to the bucket for the lay-in while drawing a foul. After Tait's free throw, the Pirates had the lead, 14-12, and they would never surrender it.

In the second half, it seemed there was no getting through the Pirates defense. In fact, the Lions scored only 3 points in the third quarter - one field goal and a free throw.

At games end, Tait netted 9 points while her fellow senior-year teammate Tawni Middleton finished with a game-high 20.

5th seeded Olathe moves on to host 21st seed Berthoud High School on Saturday at 1:00pm in the Regional Finals.

The boys basketball team from Olathe was also in action on Friday. They fell 60-48 at the hands of Pagosa Springs in the first round of the boys Regional.