FORT BRAGG — Veronica Wilder scored 14 of her team-leading 25 points in the first quarter as the Lower Lake Trojans pressed the air out of the basketball and opponent El Capitan, 65-27, in the consolation championship game on Wednesday at the Fort Bragg Tournament.
“I don”t think they”ve ever seen a press before,” Lower Lake coach Jim Salmina said.
Multiple steals by the Trojans — who had 24 in the game — propelled them to a 22-8 first-quarter lead.
El Capitan hung around until the second half when Lower Lake put the game out of reach with a 19-3 third-quarter blitz.
“We brought a lot of energy to the floor,” Salmina said. “We”re playing at a whole new level right now, it”s crazy.”
The Trojans enter the Christmas break at 7-6, which is about where Salmina expected them to be.
“7-6 or 8-5 is where I thought we would be,” Salmina said. “We”ve definitely played the toughest schedule among the county”s teams.”
Wilder and April White were named to the All-Tourney team. White finished with eight points but also had 11 rebounds, three blocks and five steals, three of which came early in the first quarter.
Jonesha Beasley and Shadae White had seven points apiece.
The Trojans are off until Jan. 4 when they open North Central League I interlock play against St. Vincent at Petaluma.
