LOWER LAKE — Vintage scored on layup in the final seconds to stun Lower Lake 43-42 in a second-round varsity girls” basketball game on Tuesday night at the Lady Trojans Winter Classic in Lower Lake.
Looking for their second win in as many nights, the Trojans (4-6) built as much as a 12-point lead during the game. They held a five-point cushion in the closing minutes before Vintage battled back, taking full advantage of a handful of Lower Lake mistakes.
“Our inexperience killed us at times,” Lower Lake coach Jim Salmina said of his young squad. “We turned it over at the wrong time and made some ill-timed fouls. It was a disappointing loss. Hopefully we can learn something from it.”
Not even Zobee Miller”s big night — 23 points and 22 rebounds — could save the Trojans, who lead 27-19 at halftime.
“How much more can she do?” Salmina said. “We need more scoring from our guards.”
Camry Richardson had seven points and freshman Vanessa John added six in the loss.
In other varsity second-round games Tuesday:
Cardinal Newman 47, Middletown 42
Middletown erased a nine-point deficit entering the fourth quarter, pulling even with Cardinal Newman late in the final period, but the Cardinals outscored the Mustangs 5-0 in the final two minutes to win the second-round game.
“They”re a very disciplined team and we had to play very well to stay with them,” Middletown coach Tony Hart said of his Santa Rosa opponent. “Hopefully we can play like that tomorrow night against Vintage.”
The two teams were tied 14-14 after one quarter and Middletown had a chance to tie the game right before halftime trailing 22-20.
“I wanted one shot but instead we missed a shot with nine seconds left and they had enough time to come down and score, so instead of being down by two at half we were down by four,” Hart said. “We”ve got to do the little things well if we want to win.”
Brooke Jackson and Ashley Hart scored eight points apiece to lead Middletown (6-4). Allegra Macedo and Kristiana Outen added six points each.
“Brooke had a great game,” Hart said. “She also had five rebounds and for a two-guard that”s very solid.”
Hart also liked the Mustangs” balanced scoring as seven different players had four or more points.
Orland 33, Kelseyville 25
Without two of their starters and trailing 25-5 at halftime, the Kelseyville Knights battled back in the second half to make a game of it before falling to Orland.
The Knights (3-6) got as close as five points during a second half in which they outscored Orland 20-8.
“They just really poured it on in the second half,” Kelseyville coach Christina Taylor said. “I was really proud of them.”
Kelseyville was without its leading scorer on the season, Jeannie Johnson (excused absence), and Mandy Spitzer (illness).
Shannon Fontana”s nine points paced the Knights and Ashley Dunia added six, all on 3-pointers.
JV division
Middletown 65, Kelseyville 24
Ashlyn Welton scored 20 points, Nicole Corsetti added 13 and Emily Lescher had 10 as the undefeated Middletown Mustangs improved to 2-0 in tournament play and 9-0 overall with a victory over the Kelseyville Knights in second-round action.
After jumping out to a big lead early, Middletown struggled with its offense the remainder of the first half, according to coach Anthony Bazzano.
“We played lights out the first five minutes, then we went into a shell for about 10 minutes,” Bazzano said. “We got our offense back under control in the third quarter.”
Welton completed her double-double with 11 rebounds. Corsetti registered eight rebounds and five steals while Lescher pulled down seven rebounds.
Anais Fay scored 10 points to lead the Knights.
“They”re a good team,” Kelseyville coach Tony Brown said of the Mustangs.
Kelseyville plays Upper Lake today at 4 p.m.
