DURHAM — April White”s double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds powered the Lower Lake Trojans to a 59-36 victory over Mercy High School of Red Bluff in the opening round of the Durham Tournament for varsity girls” basketball teams on Thursday in Durham.
Guard Veronica Wilder also turned in a strong effort with 11 points, nine rebounds, six assists and four steals as the Trojans (2-3) moved into tonight”s winner”s semifinal round at 6:30 p.m.
“We came out pressing,” Lower Lake coach Jim Salmina said of the 24-7 lead the Trojans had after one quarter, at which point Lower Lake”s reserves began to sub into the game.
One of those reserves, Shadae White, made the most of her playing time and had seven points.
“She did a nice job coming off the bench,” Salmina said.
Danacka Whittington made her first start of the season and finished with eight points.
“It”s a competitive tournament,” Salmina said of the field.
In other tournament action Thursday:
Upper Lake 52, Anderson Valley 35
Katherine Edmonds led the way with 23 points and Kelly Strong added seven points and eight rebounds as Upper Lake started strong and cruised past Anderson Valley in the opening round of the Potter Valley Tournament.
The lady Cougars (2-3) led 16-7 after one quarter.
“It was a nice get-back-on-track game,” Upper Lake coach Mike Smith said after the Cougars lost three straight games in their own tournament last weekend.
Casandra Logan joined Edmonds in double digits with 10 points.
“Kelly Strong really stepped up and brought a lot of energy,” Smith said. “She came to play.”
Sophomore Shayla Wyman made her first start and led the team with five steals.
Upper Lake plays either Round Valley or St. Bernard today at 3:30 p.m.
St. Helena 42, Kelseyville 23
Host St. Helena beat the Kelseyville Knights in the opening round of the St. Helena Tournament.
Liz Berry”s 14 points, including four 3-pointers, paced Kelseyville (2-3), and Jennifer Green added four points. Mary Brown also hit a 3-pointer.
“I thought they played really hard,” said coach John Berry, who is temporarily filling in for head coach Deanna Goff. “That”s the best team they”ve played all year.”
St. Helena led 15-6 after one quarter and 27-8 at halftime.
Because San Rafael dropped out of the tournament, the Knights will play St. Helena”s junior varsity team today at 5:30 p.m. in the consolation semifinals.
Benecia 64, Clear Lake 22
In another first-round game at the St. Helena Tournament, Benecia overpowered the Clear Lake Cardinals, who shot just 9 percent from the field.
“We need somebody to step up and score points,” Clear Lake coach Kory Reynolds said. “We didn”t play like a team and we didn”t put the ball in the basket.”
Jessica Asbury”s six points paced the Cardinals (1-3), who face John Swett in the consolation semifinals today at 4 p.m.
Benecia had the game well in hand after one quarter with a 24-7 lead.
Kim Asbury and Heather White had four points apiece for the Cardinals.
