LOWER LAKE — Danielle Bettencourt”s steal and layup eight seconds into the game set the tone for the Lower Lake High School varsity girls” basketball team in its 70-33 victory over Waldorf School of San Francisco on Saturday in Lower Lake.
The first of Bettencourt”s eight steals and the first two of her 17 points in the game helped the Trojans (2-0) beat Waldorf for the second time in five days. Unlike the first meeting last week, the Trojans bolted out to a commanding first-quarter lead, 26-8, and quickly emptied the bench.
Lower Lake led 46-16 by halftime.
“We came out and put pressure on them early and it was very productive for us,” Lower Lake coach Andrew Carpenter said. “After the first quarter we backed off and played zone.”
Bettencourt was one of three Lower Lake players to reach double digits in the scoring column, joining teammates Rissy Prude (13) and Emmelina Illia (10). Darlena White just missed a double-double with nine points and 13 rebounds.
“That was another great performance,” Carpenter said. “Danielle certainly set the tone but it was nice to see one of our juniors taking charge out there.”
There was one scary moment for Carpenter in the non-league game. Prude, the team”s point guard, slid head first trying to save a loose ball from going out of bounds in the third quarter. While she did save the ball for a teammate, her momentum carried her into the wall with a thud — there is almost no room between the baseline and the wall at the Carl Delgado Gym. Fortunately Prude”s back squared up against the wall and caught the brunt of the impact instead of her head or shoulder.
“She”s OK,” Carpenter said. “But that was one scary moment for the coach.”
All of Lower Lake”s basketball teams — boys and girls — are in action today in Potter Valley. The junior varsity girls play at 3:30 p.m., the JV boys at 5 p.m., the varsity girls at 6:30 p.m. and the varsity boys at 8 p.m.
