LOWER LAKE — Lower Lake”s press forced 16 steals and the Trojans built as much as a 21-point lead before settling for a 57-47 victory over St. Helena in a North Central League I interlock varsity girls” basketball game on Friday in Lower Lake.
Amber Daniels scored a season-high 17 points and also led the Trojans (8-7) with eight rebounds. April White added 14 points and seven rebounds and Vernoica Wilder chipped in with 12 points, all on 3-pointers.
St. Helena lost its top player, senior Maddy Densberger, to a jammed finger in the final seconds of the first half. She left the game with six points and did not return.
“There was a loose ball in front of their bench and she just started screaming,” Lower Lake coach Jim Salmina said.
“Our preparation made all the difference,” Salmina said. “It”s nice when you put a gameplan together and you function at both ends of the floor.”
Lower Lake came out strong and led 13-3 after one quarter. The Trojans extended their lead to 32-20 by halftime and 48-27 after three quarters.
“They didn”t handle our press very well,” Salmina said.
Several players turned in strong efforts, according to Salmina, including White.
“April White showed up to play tonight,” Salmina said.
Wilder, the team”s floor leader, contributed a double-double as she had 11 assists to go along with her 12 points. She also had three steals.
Lower Lake won the junior varsity game 56-32 behind 14 points from Janiece LaValley and eight from Camry Richardson.
