SANTA ROSA >> Freshman guard Aleia Milano scored 14 of her 20 points in the first half and the Lower Lake Trojans beat Roseland Prep 58-51 in non-league varsity girls” basketball action on Tuesday night in Santa Rosa.
Milano sank all three of her 3-pointers in the first half as the Trojans (4-4) built a 33-26 lead. Lower Lake pushed its advantage to 16 points in the third quarter before Roseland Prep closed that deficit late in the game.
“I was very happy with the game,” Lower Lake coach Jim Salmina said. “We have a real young team and a lot of kids got involved in the offense tonight.”
Besides Milano”s 20 points, Katelyn Ferrell added 10 points, Ashlynn Mock had eight and Gabby Jauregui finished with six. Three others added four points each.
“I like seeing a lot of fours, sixes and eights,” Salmina said.
Lower Lake plays at El Molino on Thursday.
In junior varsity action Tuesday, Lower Lake beat Roseland Prep 53-14 behind 12 points from Claire Alderson and eight from Vanessa Hughes.
In other non-league girls” action Tuesday:
Upper Lake 51
Willits 38
At Upper Lake, outscored 16-8 in the first quarter by Willits, the Upper Lake Cougars answered in a big way and rolled past the Wolverines for their ninth win in as many games this season.
“They (Wolverines) came out in a full-court press,” Upper Lake coach Mike Smith said. “They were a lot quicker than the last couple of teams we”ve played.”
The Cougars made a couple of adjustments between quarters and pushed in front by halftime, 24-22.
“We calmed down and shifted into competition mode,” Smith said.
Upper Lake took control of the game with a 20-point third quarter.
Jojo Augustine led the way on offense and defense with a triple-double of 15 points, 12 rebounds and 11 blocks. The defense of Autum Martinez was another key, according to Smith.
“Her defense continues to be amazing,” Smith said. “She is as tough as nails.”
LaShaye Taylor added 11 points and Natalie Karlsson had 10. Martinez chipped in with six more.
Upper Lake will take its 9-0 record into the Christmas break and return to action Jan. 1 in the Chernoh Classic at Lower Lake.
Boys
Kelseyville 60
Healdsburg 32
At Kelseyville, Kyle Ellis scored 17 of his 19 points in the first half — and 17 of Kelseyville”s 25 points in the first half — as the Knights struggled on offense through the first two quarters before pounding Healdsburg in non-league action.
“We really struggled in that first half and Kyle kept us afloat,” Kelseyville coach Scott Conrad said. “He had the attitude ”I”m not going to get beat” and just scored.”
Kelseyville (3-1), rusty after a week-long layoff because of last week”s storm (two games had to be postponed), trailed 11-10 after the opening period before pulling in front 25-19 at halftime.
While Ellis cooled off in the second half, other Kelseyville starters began to find the range and the Knights boosted their lead to a much more comfortable 47-27 after three quarters.
“We struggled offensively in that first half but we give a great defensive effort every time,” Conrad said.
Victor Fernandez came alive in the second half and finished with 14 points. Hunter Beatty added eight and Tyler Riewerts had seven.
In JV action Tuesday, Kelseyville routed Healdsburg 63-27 behind 21 points from Ean Valenzuela and 12 apiece from Gideon Turner and Trey Conrad, who hit four straight 3-pointers in the first half.
Kelseyville”s JVs improved to 4-1.
Both Kelseyville teams return to action Thursday against Middletown in the first round of the 21st annual Record-Bee Hoop Classic at Lower Lake High School. Kelseyville”s JVs play at 2:30 p.m. and the varsity follows at 4 p.m.
Willits 80
Upper Lake 28
At Willits, someone forgot to tell head coach Duane Nelson and the Willits Wolverines, defending North Central League I champions, that they were rebuilding this season.
Willits improved to 6-1 with a lopsided victory over the Upper Lake Cougars (0-7).
“They”ve got some game,” Upper Lake coach Justin Dutcher said. “They are very well coached. They”re not down.”
Cody Rybolt and Pancho Flores scored seven points apiece for Upper Lake. The Cougars trailed 42-19 at halftime.
Nelson formerly coached at Upper Lake.
Cloverdale Tournament
In Saturday action at the Cloverdale Tournament, the Clear Lake Cardinals squared their season record at 3-3 by beating St. Vincent 66-58 in the consolation semifinals and Berean Christian of Walnut Creek 71-42 in the consolation championship game.
Against St. Vincent, Damian Lopez scored 20 of his team-leading 22 points in the second half to help Clear Lake pull away from the Mustangs. Jared Strate added 19 points in the win and Ryan Smith had 14.
In the victory over Berean Christian, Smith connected on five 3-pointers and led the Cardinals with 24 points. Strate added 14 points and Marty Sugimoto finished with 10.
Clear Lake”s JV and varsity boys return to action Thursday against Lower Lake in the first round of the 21st annual Record-Bee Hoop Classic at Lower Lake High School. The JVs play at 5:30 p.m. and the varsity follows at 7 p.m.
JV girls
Clear Lake 45
Healdsburg 16
At Healdsburg, the Clear Lake JV girls improved to 9-0 by routing the Healdsburg Greyhounds, who didn”t score in the third quarter.
Camille Donald led Clear Lake with 14 points, Corin Alakszay had nine and Kiana Richardson chipped in with eight.
Clear Lake led 25-9 at halftime.
