It was the first time in three meetings this season the Trojans (4-2, 16-8) emerged victorious against the Knights (3-3, 13-10), the former team of first-year Lower Lake coach Jim Salmina.
“It”s a little bit strange,” Salmina said of his first win against his old club, one that he coached to several league titles and playoff appearances. “The two teams are really pretty even.”
A fourth meeting between the two squads could take place in the NCL I postseason tourney later this month in Lower Lake.
“It”s coming together,” Salmina said. “We finally beat somebody other than the weaker teams in our league. At this time of year, that”s what you”re looking for.”
Lower Lake hosts NCL I North leader Willits on Tuesday.
“We”re looking forward to that,” Salmina said.
After Beasley”s basket gave the Trojans a three-point cushion in the seesaw battle, Lower Lake fouled Kelseyville and sent Kendra Schwegerl to the free-throw line with 1.9 seconds left. She made both shots to cut the lead to one.
Beasley hit a clutch 3-pointer with less than a minute to play to wipe out a two-point Kelseyville lead. She finished with a team-high 13 points and also had four steals.
Amber Daniels also came up big for Lower Lake down the stretch, scoring eight of her 10 points in the final period, one in which the Trojans outscored the Knights 13-9.
“She also had eight rebounds and four steals,” Salmina said of Daniels. “I”m really excited about how Amber played.”
April White had 11 points and Tashee Denson nine for the Trojans.
Skyler Olsen and Monique Santana led the Knights with 15 and 14 points, respectively.
“Santana stepped up and started scoring again, which is huge,” Kelseyville coach Caitlin Andrus said.
Her team”s third game in four days, Andrus said the Knights were playing with “heavy legs.” Even so, she said they turned in a solid effort.
“They kept working their butts off and that says something about their character,” Andrus said.
