UPPER LAKE >> Natalie Karlsson led the way with 27 points but it was a team effort down the stretch that helped propel the Upper Lake Cougars to a 52-41 win over Round Valley in the season opener for both of these varsity girls’ basketball teams on Friday night in Upper Lake.
Upper Lake’s boys also beat Round Valley, 68-61, behind a big night from Cody Rybolt and Isaac Nevarez, who sank four free throws in the final seconds to seal the victory.
In the varsity girls’ game, Upper Lake squandered a 10-point third-quarter lead and actually fell behind Round Valley early in the fourth quarter. The young Cougars responded with an 8-0 that included backets from Isabel Rorabaugh, Kejhana Taylor, Brenna Sanchez and Karlsson.
“We played a lot better in the fourth quarter,” Upper Lake coach Mike Smith said.
Karlsson played the entire final period with four fouls after picking up her fourth early in the third quarter, a foul that actually belonged to a teammate but was instead charged to her.
“She did not let it get to her,” Smith said of his junior guard. “That’s a sign of maturity and leadership, something that’s nice to see.”
Rorabaugh finished with 10 points and Sanchez, a sophomore post, had eight.
Varsity boys
Rybolt came off the Upper Lake bench to lead all Upper Lake scorers and Nevarez, who finished with 14 points, hit all six of his free throws in the final seconds. The Cougars had as much as a 10-point lead in the final period only to watch Round Valley close to three with 25 seconds remaining.
“Both teams are small and quick and we were running and gunning all game,” Upper Lake coach Justin Dutcher said. “We were a little shaky early but we played better in the second half.
The Cougars outscored 40 points over the final two quarters.
Rybolt played well throughout the game.
“Man, he found himself in the right spot,” Dutcher said. “I’m glad someone on this team can hit a 2-footer. We missed lots of them, but not him.”
