Lower Lake JVs advance to championship game of Galt Tournament
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SANTA ROSA >> The Middletown Mustangs built a big lead against Kelseyville in the first half but had to hold on down the stretch to beat the Knights 39-37 in the consolation semifinals of the Piner Tournament on Friday evening in Santa Rosa.
Middletown, the defending North Central League I co-champion, improved to 3-1 with the victory and will play for the tournament’s consolation championship Saturday at 3 p.m. Kelseyville (0-3) plays for seventh place at 1:30 p.m.
The early-season meeting between the two NCL I rivals was a tale of two halves as Middletown had a 26-9 lead late in the first half. Kelseyville buried a 3-pointer right before the halftime buzzer to close to 26-12, and that momentum seemed to carry over for the Knights in the second half. They crept to within 31-25 after three quarters.
“It took us a minute to get going, but once we got into it, we played well,” Middletown head coach Roxi Holt said of the Mustangs’ 16-7 first quarter.
“Middletown started off the game wanting it more,” Kelseyville head coach Tim Conrad said. “They were the more aggressive team and were better engaged in the action.”
When Middletown’s Mia Hoogendoorn (17 points) fouled out late in the fourth quarter, Kelseyville eventually closed to within a possession before running out of time.
“The girls finally responded at halftime and shifted momentum,” Conrad said. “I was very pleased with our effort in the second half. We just dug too deep of a hole and ran out of time to climb out of it. I am hopeful that this can be a turning point in the early season for us. We need to learn how to play together the right way.”
While the Hoogendoorn sisters – senior Mia and freshman Izzi (13 points) – led the Mustangs, Ashlyn Wurm’s 11 points and nine apiece from Olivia Hommer and Nyejzniya Krohn powered the Knights.
“Matisyn Mateer played great on Hoogendoorn,” Conrad said. “She made her work for everything she got. “Nyejzniya gave us a spark in the second half as well. She got aggressive on the boards and got all 9 of her points in the half.”
Harley Holley had five points for the Mustangs while Mateer finished with five points, seven rebounds and three steals for Kelseyville.
The two teams will meet at least twice more during league play.
In other girls basketball action Friday:
Sandy Mac Tournament
Lower Lake 47, Round Valley 35
At Cloverdale, the Lower Lake Trojans (1-2) picked up their first win of the season by beating Round Valley in the consolation semifinals of the Sandy Mac Tournament at Cloverdale High School.
Lower Lake plays Ferndale in the consolation championship game Saturday at 11 a.m.
“Played a better defensive game tonight,” Lower Lake head coach Shannon Tubbs said. “Got off to a good start offensively and then got sloppy with the ball. We slowed ourselves down and took better quality shots in the second half after making our adjustments.”
Ayla Ales led Lower Lake with 11 points, including three 3-pointers, while Brooke Watson added nine points and five steals, and Brooke Benson had seven points and nine rebounds. Jamiya Lee-Ayers finished with six points.
“Great all-around team defense, however, we need to be better at rebounding to finish off the defensive possession,” Tubbs said. “It’s nice to get the 1st win in the books.”
While Lower Lake’s varsity team was winning in Cloverdale, Lower Lake’s junior varsity squad improved to 3-0 on the season with a 41-18 victory over Tokay in the winner’s semifinals of the Galt Tournament in Galt.
Madelyn Garner and Lily Milano led a balanced Lower Lake attack with 10 points apiece while Leanna Ortega added eight and Khaya Chaney six.
“Great win tonight,” Lower Lake head coach Jessica Wiley said. “We’re still getting off to a slow start each game, but if we can come out hot, we’re looking forward to a great season.”
The Trojans play for the championship Saturday at 2:30 p.m.
