North Central League I girls race opens
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CLOVERDALE >> In a North Central League I that appears to be completely up for grabs this season, defending co-champion Middletown made a strong case for winning another title Tuesday with a 62-32 victory over the Cloverdale Eagles at Cloverdale.
The league opener for both teams was all Middletown from opening tip to final buzzer as the Mustangs (1-0 league, 4-1 overall) scored the game’s first nine points and never looked back. It was 21-5 after one quarter, 41-9 at halftime and 49-19 entering the fourth quarter.
While both teams lost their best player to graduation, the Mustangs still have a viable core led by sophomore Izzi Hoogendoorn, junior Jordyn Harbison and senior Autumn Clark while the ultra-young Eagles, who have six freshmen and a sophomore on their roster, are hurting for guard play these days. They made far too many bad passes and turnovers to stay close to Middletown, which took advantage. Hoogendoorn finished with 19 points, Harbison added 14 and Clark 13.
After Harbison opened the game by hitting a 3-pointer, Clark scored the next six points on a steal and layup, a drive inside, and two free throws to make it 9-0. Cloverdale’s Kaloni Brown (13 points) hit a pair of free throws to get the Eagles on the board, but Middletown went on an 8-0 run to go up 17-2. During that run, Harbison hit another 3-pointer, Hoogendoorn sank three free throws and Clark nailed a jumper.
Cloverdale (0-1, 2-3) finally made its first basket of the game late in the quarter on a 3-pointer by Issabella Demattei, one of those six freshmen.
Middletown had a “new” head coach on the bench. Roxi Holt, who guided the Mustangs to a league title last season, returned from maternity leave after Shannon Williams filled in for Middletown’s first four games.
“I could not be happier with how the girls played tonight,” Holt said. “Coming into tonight I was nervous. This was my first game back this year. Changing coaches mid-season can be an adjustment. Yesterday was my first practice with the team. Many of them are used to me, so the transition was not bad.”
Added Holt, “They (Mustangs) executed what we discussed pregame and came out on fire. A 41-9 lead at halftime says it all.”
With Holt setting the tone on defense early, Middletown disrupted Cloverdale’s attempt to get into an offense time and time again.
“We caused turnovers and were able to capitalize off of those,” Holt said. “Putting up 62 points tonight was pretty fun to see. I was happy with the way our offense ran and hope to continue to build on that during the season. Many girls contributed tonight in big ways. It was a great start to league.”
There was no junior varsity game because Cloverdale is once again not fielding a JV team because of low player numbers in the program.
In other league-opening girls action Tuesday:
Kelseyville 33, Lower Lake 23
At Kelseyville, it’s hard to win scoring only four points in a half although that’s exactly what the Kelseyville Knights did against the Lower Lake Trojans.
Not that Kelseyville head coach Tim Conrad saw it coming following a strong first half from the Knights (1-0, 4-1), winners of four straight.
“Our first half of basketball was almost picture perfect,” Conrad said. “We were creating turnovers. We were getting out on the break. We were moving the ball on offense and getting good looks. Our defense was phenomenal. And then the second half happened.”
Ahead 16-5 after one quarter and 29-10 at halftime, Kelseyville’s offense seized up like an engine out of oil.
“That was the ugliest half of basketball I’ve been a part of,” Conrad said. “We couldn’t run an offense. I think we thought we were wearing blue (Lower Lake’s color) because we just kept giving them the ball. And there was a lid on our basket. We missed layups, close jumpers and free throws. Give Lower Lake a lot of credit. They didn’t quit and thy worked their butt off defensively in the second half.”
AJ Wurm led the Knights with 15 points and seven steals despite being Lower Lake’s focus on defense.
“They were just throwing a girl at AJ as soon as we got the ball,” Conrad said.
Aubree Sperber had eight points and six rebounds for the Knights while Mati Mateer added six points, 10 rebounds and three steals.
“We had a rough start on offense early and just couldn’t find the bottom of the net,” Lower Lake head coach Shannon Tubbs said of the first half. “We played a great defensive second half and fought hard, just didn’t make the most of our opportunities.”
Jamiya Lee-Ayers finished with a double-double for the Trojans (0-1, 2-3) with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Irianna Milano added five points while Leanna Ortega had four.
“Kelseyville played good defensive game, and we just couldn’t get into any groove,” Tubbs added.
Lower Lake shot just 16 percent from the field (7-for-45) and 41 percent from the line (7-for-17). The Trojans also turned the ball over 20 times.
Lower Lake returns to action Thursday against Durham in the opening round of the Durham Tournament. Tip-off is 7 p.m. Kelseyville faces Orland in the first round of the Duard Millet Tournament on Thursday at 3 p.m. in Oroville.
In JV action Tuesday night, Lower Lake beat Kelseyville 35-24, the Trojans’ second win over the Knights in four days.
Darleen Benefield finished with 13 points while Eden Sparks’ double-double of 11 points and 14 rebounds propelled the Trojans (1-0, 5-0).
“We expected their team to make some adjustments and they did,” Lower Lake head coach Jessica Lackowski said of the Knights. “We looked a little tired tonight on defense. Eden was willing to take risks and helped keep our offensive moving.”
“Our inexperience as a young team is something we are struggling with a bit early on in the season and having lost Paelynn Beall (to injury) so early in the season we have had to change things up offensively,” Kelseyville head coach Liz Berry said. “With one day of practice and a new game plan, the girls really worked hard. Defensively they are all over it and I’m really proud of them for that.”
Rilee Sperber led a balanced Kelseyville attack with seven points. Carly Gleason finished with six points while Olivia Arredondo and Brooke Poff each had five. Gleason pulled down a team-best 12 rebounds, and Sperber and Poff each had seven. Arredondo had five steals and four rebounds.
“They fought back in the last quarter to close the point gap, and we definitely keep improving on the important things every game,” Berry said.
Kelseyville plays Corning in the opening round of Duard Millet Tournament on Thursday at 1:30 p.m. in Oroville. Lower Lake plays Willits on Friday at 6 p.m. in the opening round of the Lower Lake JV Tournament.
Upper Lake 51, Fort Bragg 25
At Upper Lake, Rylee Zimmerschied’s 22 points, including two 3-pointers, carried the Upper Lake Cougars to a league-opening win over the Fort Bragg Timberwolves.
“The girls played great defense,” Upper Lake head coach Raelene Cromwell said. “We were able to put pressure on Fort Bragg.”
Added Cromwell, “With that great defense, we were able to get some good fastbreaks.”
Camila Martin added 10 points in the wins as the Cougars improved to 3-0 on the season.
Aimee Schaefers hit a 3-pointer in the win. Kaylin Smith blocked three shots.
“Our offense moved the ball around pretty well,” Cromwell said. “Everyone was able to get playing time.
“I’m looking forward to an exciting season with this group of ladies,” Cromwell added.
Upper Lake is entered in the Anderson Valley Tournament on Friday and Saturday in Boonville.
Upper Lake also won the JV game 35-27.
Individual scoring was not reported. The Cougars are 3-3 overall.
St. Helena 47, Clear Lake 35
At St. Helena, Amelie Davis scored 14 points and Faith McIntire added 10 as the Clear Lake Cardinals fell to the St. Helena Saints. McIntire also pulled down seven rebounds as did Kam Cresto.
St. Helena led 25-13 at halftime and 35-27 through three quarters.
Clear Lake is 3-3 overall. The Cardinals play Maxwell on Thursday at 5 p.m. in the opening round of the Pierce Tournament in Arbuckle.
Clear Lake did win the JV game, 50-14, behind 13 points from Hailey Perez and 11 apiece from Camara Wittman and Ava Gamble.
“The team showed good hustle tonight and began working harder at implementing our defense,” Clear Lake head coach Tony Farrington said. “On offense, we had better ball control and fewer turnovers, with a better shot selection.”
Cali Albaum had six points for the Cardinals and Anjoli Scott four.
Clear Lake plays Point Arena on Friday at 4:30 p.m. in the opening round of the Lower Lake JV Tournament.
