KELSEYVILLE — In a game where the difference was a 19-6 second quarter, the Willits Wolverines began defense of their North Central League I North varsity girls” basketball title with a hard-fought 54-50 victory over the Kelseyville Knights on Friday in Kelseyville.
Willits shared the North title with Middletown a year ago and is looking for a second straight championship.
“They”re very balanced,” Kelseyville coach Caitlin Andrus said of the Wolverines” inside-outside scoring. “They are a very good team.”
Kelseyville led 15-14 after one quarter but the Wolverines took command in the second quarter while getting contributions from several players.
“They had three 3s in the second quarter ? from two girls we didn”t know could shoot that well,” Andrus said.
Kelseyville”s defense played well against both of the Wolverines” big guns, guard/forward Brenna Jessup and center Ceara Snyder.
“Snyder scored mostly on offensive boards,” Andrus said. “She”s hard to move in there.”
Jessup and Snyder each finished with 16 points.
Despite trailing by 12 points at halftime, the Knights (0-1, 10-7) closed to within three of the Wolverines in the closing seconds.
“It”s the first time with a loss I”ve not felt very upset,” Andrus said.
Skyler Olsen scored 18 points and had eight rebounds and Liz Berry added a season-best 16 points, including four 3-pointers, to lead the Knights. Berry also had five assists.
Andrus also praised the play of Ashley Mueller, who had six points and eight rebounds.
“Mueller is stepping up big-time,” Andrus said. “Her defense was awesome.”
