UPPER LAKE >> The high school basketball season may be over in Lake County, but it’s still easy to locate the players that made the Upper Lake High School varsity girls’ team go in 2014-15. Simply check out the 2015 edition of the All-North Central League II basketball team where you’ll find all five of the Cougars’ starters.
Following a 22-5 season, the school’s best since a 29-1 mark in 1993-94, Upper Lake head coach Mike Smith had no problem selling the merits of his players to the other seven league coaches who helped select the team late last month.
Despite finishing one game behind league champion Sonoma Academy (13-1) in the final NCL II standings, Upper Lake (12-2) was the only school to have all five of its starters so honored. The Cougars landed two players on the first team, two on the second while a fifth received an honorable mention.
Sonoma Academy senior Savannah Stoughton is the MVP. The remainder of the first team consists of underclassmen, including Upper Lake sophomore guard Natalie Karlsson and Upper Lake junior forward Autum Martinez. Karlsson was the Cougars’ spark plug on offense, averaging a team-best 14.3 points a game, while Martinez anchored the team’s usually stingy defense.
Other first-team selections were junior Chloe Colbert of Sonoma Academy, junior Olivia DeGraca of St. Vincent and sophomore Gaby Roldan of Roseland Prep.
Upper Lake’s two second-team representatives also were instrumental in the team’s success. Senior LaShaye Taylor, a four-year varsity veteran, averaged 11.1 points a game and was among the team’s leaders in rebounds and assists. Senior center Jojo Augustine averaged 11.5 points a game and led the Cougars in rebounds and blocked shots.
Other second-teamers were junior Clara Spars of Sonoma Academy, junior Taylor Owen of St. Vincent and senior Jenna Franquelin of Calistoga.
Each team had one honorable mention. Upper Lake’s choice was senior Skylar Orozco, the team leader in 3-pointers and among club leaders in rebounds. Jada Roberts of Technology, Lauren Reed of Sonoma Academy, Stefani Lopez of Calistoga, McKenna Wilson-Kay of St. Vincent, Morgan Pizana of Tomales, Kylie Olson of Rincon Valley Christian and Sarah Campos of Roseland Prep also received honorable mentions.
