ST. HELENA — Wyatt Ferrell”s 3-pointer bounced off the back iron as the buzzer sounded, giving the St. Helena Saints a 54-51 victory over the Kelseyville Knights on Tuesday night in St. Helena.
Combined with Middletown”s 53-48 win over Willits on Tuesday (see story, Page A8), the North Central League I varsity boys” basketball race is now a three-way tie between Kelseyville, St. Helena and Middletown, all at 7-2 with five games remaining.
Dustin Thaxton”s 25 points, including seven 3-pointers, paced the Knights, now 16-5 overall. Max Huff finished with 15 points.
In other boys” action Tuesday:
Upper Lake 51, Rio Lindo 36
At Upper Lake, the Upper Lake Cougars notched a second straight NCL II win, beating Rio Lindo behind 18 points from Joey Valdez and another 13 from Dean Reimers.
Upper Lake is 2-9 in league and 4-16 overall.
Girls” basketball
Lower Lake 40, Fort Bragg 23
At Fort Bragg, the Lower Lake Trojans improved to 7-2 in the NCL I standings and 16-5 overall with a victory over the Fort Bragg Timberwolves.
Kelsie Shoffeitt”s 13 points paced the Trojans, who won the game with a 22-4 third quarter. Shadae White (10 points) made all three of her 3-pointers in the critical third period.
Kelseyville 62, St. Helena 56
At Kelseyville, Mary Brown scored a career-high 34 points, including six 3-pointers, and the Kelseyville Knights withstood a 30-point night by Holle Depina to beat the St. Helena Saints.
Kelseyville”s first league win also snaps a 12-game losing streak. The Knights are 1-8 in the NCL I and 3-14 overall.
Jeannie Johnson had eight points for the Knights.
Willits 73, Middletown 47
At Willits, the Willits Wolverines remained perfect in the NCL I standings ? 9-0 ? with a victory over the Middletown Mustangs (2-7, 5-15).
Willits led 20-7 after one quarter and never looked back.
Amber Hart and Rachel Sutton had 11 points apiece for the Mustangs.
Upper Lake 46, Rio Lindo 44
At Upper Lake, the Upper Lake Cougars snapped a four-game NCL II losing streak with a victory over Rio Lindo.
Kat Edmonds powered the Cougars (4-7, 9-12) with another double-double performance — 16 points and 15 rebounds — while Kelsey Pearl added nine points.
Pearl sank two pressure-packed free throws with 12 seconds remaining to give Upper Lake a 46-42 lead.
Cloverdale 62, Clear Lake 24
At Cloverdale, Clear Lake trailed 42-5 at halftime following a 17-0 second quarter and lost to the Cloverdale Eagles in a NCL I rout.
Morgan Psalmonds” six points led Clear Lake (2-7, 6-9).
