MIDDLETOWN >> Ashlyn Welton knows how to take over a game. Just ask the Kelseyville Knights.
Welton scored 18 of her team-leading 22 points in the third quarter — and 18 of Middletown’s 24 in that period — to lead the Mustangs to a 47-36 victory over the Kelseyville Knights in a North Central League I varsity girls’ basketball showdown on Friday night in Middletown.
Kelseyville (7-3 league, 13-8 overall) entered play needing a win to pull even with Middletown (9-1, 16-6) atop the league standings. Now the Mustangs own a team-game lead over the Knights with four remaining.
“The 22 least important games on our schedule are behind us and the four most important are in front us,” Middletown coach Anthony Bazzano said.
Kelseyville led 15-13 at halftime but it was pretty much all Middletown in the second half thanks to Welton, who also had 15 rebounds and three blocks.
“She got real dominant in the paint in that third quarter,” Kelseyville coach Jim Hale said. “She’s a great post player.”
Middletown also received solid play off the bench from Mackenzi Smith, who had nine points, four rebounds, six steals and three assists.
Riley Goff’s 20 points led the Knights and Taylor Hale added seven.
“Both of these programs are headed in the right direction,” Bazzano said of his Mustangs and the Knights. “Coach Hale has done a wonderful job with that group.”
Middletown outscored Kelseyville 24-7 in the pivotal third quarter.
“We played about as good as we can play in that second half,” Bazzano said.
“They are a good team, well-coached,” Hale said of the Mustangs.
