LOWER LAKE — Veronica Wilder scored her 1,000th career point, setting a bit of Lake County history in the process, and the Lower Lake Trojans beat the Kelseyville Knights 49-41 on Tuesday night to remain undefeated in the North Central League I North varsity girls” basketball standings.
Wilder, a four-year varsity player, reached the milestone by sinking a medium-range jumper with 5:11 remaining in the third quarter against the Knights (1-5, 9-12). She entered play 13 points shy of 1,000 and finished with 23 as the Trojans (6-0, 16-7) set the stage for their first place showdown with Willits (4-1) on Friday night in Willits.
“It”s a great accomplishment for her and I”m happy for her,” Lower Lake coach Jim Salmina said of Wilder, who was feeling the pressure early on.
“She missed three or four layups,” Salmina said. “That”s not like her.”
Wilder had eight points at halftime. She hit one of her two 3-pointers on the night early in the third quarter, putting her at 998 points. Her 999th and 1,000th points soon followed, at which point the game was briefly halted. Wilder received a nice round of applause from the home fans, many of whom threw confetti and held up themed signs for the occasion, and she was presented with the game ball.
“I think I”m more relaxed going into the Willits game than tonight”s game,” Salmina said. “Tonight there was a lot of hoopla and it was great to see. Friday”s game we can go back to work.”
Wilder is the 37th county player to reach 1,000 points. Her older sister Katie also scored 1,000 points for the Trojans (1,121), making the Wilders the first set of sisters to accomplish that feat.
In recording their ninth straight victory, the Trojans had to overcome a pretty determined effort by the Knights, who were led by Liz Berry”s 11 points and another nine from Ashley Johnson.
Kelseyville trailed 24-22 at halftime before taking a 33-32 lead into the final period.
“The girls did really good. It was a lot better then the last time we played them,” coach Deanna Goff said of a 56-34 loss to Lower Lake last month in Kelseyville.
“My hat”s off to John Berry and Deanna, their girls shot the ball well,” Salmina said. “They made us work for it.”
April White had six points and 15 rebounds for the Trojans and Danacka Whittington added eight points.
Salmina can now concentrate on Willits, which is the final major hurdle standing between the Trojans and an undisputed North championship. Lower Lake handed Willits its lone league loss to date, 50-38, on Jan. 25 at Lower Lake.
“It doesn”t get any bigger than the one at Willits. We know what”s at stake,” Salmina said.
