Kelseyville, Clear Lake notch North Central League I home wins in Tuesday action
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KELSEYVILLE >> Beating the Middletown Mustangs 44-31 in a North Central League I game on Tuesday in Kelseyville held more than just a bit of significance for the Kelseyville High School varsity girls basketball team.
The Knights (1-1 league, 4-5 overall) had gone almost seven years without beating the Mustangs, which last occurred on Feb. 2, 2018 (a 58-22 league win at Kelseyville). Kelseyville had lost its last 10 league meetings and 12 meetings overall to Middletown (1-1, 7-3).
“Our defense was just outstanding,” Kelseyville head coach Tim Conrad said. “Our focus on defense was obviously Mia (Hoogendoorn). She is a tough cover, and they run different creative things to get the ball. I felt like we limited her well and made it tough for her the whole night.”
Hoogendoorn scored 19 points to lead the Mustangs, who were without freshman guard Izzi Hoogendoorn, Mia’s sister, because of a concussion.
No other Middletown player had more than four points.
“We had way too many turnovers to win a basketball game,” Middletown head coach Roxi Holt said. We need the entire team to show up every game on both sides of the court.”
Added Holt, “I am ready for Isabelle to be back.”
Kelseyville gradually pulled away from Middletown, building a 35-21 lead after three quarters.
“We had such a balanced attack on both ends tonight,” Conrad said. “I can’t say enough about how pleased I am in the way the girls are buying into what we are coaching. Our offensive and defensive stat lines are spread out all over the place. I thought Cali Schnabl was a floor leader tonight.”
Schnabl, a senior guard, contributed seven points, six rebounds and three steals. Matisyn Mateer and Ashlyn Wurm led the Knights with 11 and 10 points, respectively. Kelseyville also received six points and nine rebounds from Olivia Hommer while Briana Davis had six points, six rebounds and six blocks.
“That was a fun win and great atmosphere in the gym from our home fans,” Conrad said.
Kelseyville opens play in its own tournament, the Stokes Tournament, on Thursday against Lower Lake at 9 a.m.
Kelseyville also won the junior varsity game, 39-24, behind 20 points, five rebounds and three assists from Grace Hobbs. Jordyn Wurm added six points and 11 rebounds while Yuri Montero and Aubree Sperber had four points each.
“The girls moved the ball really well offensively and we were able to put up a lot of quality shots this game,” Kelseyville head coach Liz Berry said as the undefeated Knights improved to 2-0 in league and 8-0 overall. “It felt great to get a win at home after seven games on the road.”
Ally Cherry’s nine points paced Middletown while Kenya Garcia added eight.
“It was a tough loss for us today,” Middletown head coach Daryl Dacosta said. “We couldn’t get our offense flowing the way we would have liked, but the team battled hard all night. We just couldn’t cut into Kelseyville’s lead.”
Kelseyville opens play in the Jeff Paul Tournament against Piner on Thursday at Maria Carrillo High School in Santa Rosa.
In other girls basketball action Tuesday:
Clear Lake 43, Upper Lake 39 (OT)
At Lakeport, Clear Lake (1-1, 4-3) outscored Upper Lake 12-6 in the fourth quarter to force overtime and went on to beat the Upper Lake Cougars (0-2) in league action.
Clear Lake overcame a 24-point effort by Upper Lake’s Alyssa John to square its league record. Faith McIntire answered with a double-double of 10 points and 25 rebounds while Emily Gersalia finished with eight points, five rebounds, four steals and two assists. Kam Cresto had five points and 10 rebounds.
Clear Lake came all the way back from a 17-3 deficit after one quarter. The Cardinals closed to 25-13 at halftime and 30-24 after three quarters.
“Well, our team started out strong,” Upper Lake head coach Raelene Cromwell said of the Cougars’ big first quarter. “We were doing pretty good. Everybody got to play in the first half. We came out in the second half and we got into foul trouble. Three of our starters fouled out.”
Aimee Schaefers had six points for the Cougars.
Clear Lake is off until the Fort Bragg Tournament on Jan. 2-4.
The Cardinals also won the JV game in overtime, 30-28. No other information was reported.
Fort Bragg 60, Lower Lake 43
At Fort Bragg, you’ll forgive Lower Lake head coach Shannon Tubbs if he doesn’t visit Fort Bragg anytime soon.
On their most recent trip to the Mendocino County coast city, the Trojans fell to the Fort Bragg Timberwolves after shooting only eight free throws to Fort Bragg’s 23.
“I’m glad that trip is over,” Tubbs said. “Extremely physical game, lopsided foul calls, and it didn’t help that we couldn’t take care of the ball tonight.”
Fort Bragg (2-0) moved atop the league standings with the win, its second straight at home. Lower Lake fell to 1-1 in league and 4-5 overall.
Ayla Ales led the Trojans with eight points while Brooke Benson and Irianna Milano each had seven. Brooke Watson added six points.
Lower Lake plays Kelseyville in the opening round of the Stokes Tournament in Kelseyville on Thursday at 9 a.m.
Lower Lake won the JV game 65-10 behind 19 points from Madelyn Garner, 12 from Lily Milano and 10 from Leanna Ortega.
“This game allowed us to work on our zone defense and rotate throughout the entire team,” Lower Lake head coach Jessica Wiley said. “We’ve got to work on reducing our turnovers.”
Lower Lake’s JVs are off until league play resumes Jan. 7 with a four-game set at Middletown.
Cloverdale 47, St. Helena 41
At St. Helena, Cloverdale beat St. Helena, leaving both teams at 1-1 in the league standings.
Sophomore center Ronni Hatcher powered the Cloverdale attack with 16 points and seven rebounds, and guard Amara Galvan contributed 12 points.
“A must-win game,” Cloverdale head coach Mac Butler said in the wake of his team’s league-opening loss at home to Middletown last week. “We played our best quarter of the year in the third (outscoring St. Helena 18-8).”
Cloverdale plays Pinole Valley on Thursday at noon in the opening round of the Stokes Tournament in Kelseyville.
