KELSEYVILLE — Kelseyville High School”s defense shut down Upper Lake”s outside and inside games in convincing fashion Friday night as the Knights rolled past the Cougars 45-17 in a North Central League I interlock varsity girls” basketball contest at Kelseyville.
It was all Kelseyville from the start as the Knights, who opened the game in a press defense, jumped out to a 17-6 lead.
“That helped get us going early,” Kelseyville coach Caitlin Andrus said.
While concerned about slowing down Upper Lake center Katy DeVries, the Knights also were able to extend their defense and take away many of the Cougars” shots from the perimeter.
“We were able to get outside and cover their 3-point shooters, but we were quick enough to help out inside against DeVries,” Andrus said. “We fronted her and had help on the backside. It”s the best team basketball I”ve seen us play.”
DeVries, Upper Lake”s leading scorer on the season, had just five points.
Kelseyville led 24-10 at halftime. A sluggish third quarter for both teams didn”t see any points scored until the final three minutes, according to Andrus.
Skyler Olsen”s 18 points paced the Knights (9-6) and Amanda Mueller added eight points.
Andrus gave high marks to play of point guard Monique Santana.
“She was smart, she distributed the ball well and she really hustled her butt off,” Andrus said. “And Olsen played very, very smart basketball.”
DeVries and Ashley Arroyo led the Cougars with five points apiece.
Kelseyville also won the junior varsity game, 42-27, behind 12 points from Liz Berry and nine from Amanda Ray.
Both Kelseyville teams are back in action today against Clear Lake in Lakeport. The JV girls open the four-game set at 2 p.m. and the varsity girls are scheduled to tip off at 5 p.m.
