ST. HELENA >> Willits made a run at Lower Lake early in the third quarter to cut a double-digit halftime deficit to a single point, but the Trojans responded with a run of their own and went on to beat the Wolverines 57-51 on Thursday night in the consolation semifinals of the Sutter Home Tournament at St. Helena.
In beating the Wolverines, who won back-to-back North Central League I titles in 2013 and 2014 and were in the running again last season, the Trojans provided new varsity boys’ basketball coach Shannon Tubbs with his first victory.
“The kids across the board played a better game than the other night,” Tubbs said in comparing the win to a 57-42 loss to John Swett in the opening round on Thursday. “There was a lot more team-oriented basketball tonight.”
Lower Lake can give Tubbs his second win today at 3:30 p.m. against either St. Helena or Buckingham in the consolation championship game.
The Trojans trailed Willits 13-11 after one quarter but played a strong second period to push in front 31-21 by halftime. The Wolverines closed to 32-31 early in the third quarter before Lower Lake lengthened its lead to 43-35 by quarter’s end.
Jordan McGrath scored 14 points to lead the Trojans and Garrett Chernoh added 12, including three 3-pointers. Ethan Watson finished with nine points and Jerod Alexander had eight.
“We had a better transition game tonight and Jordan benefited from that,” Tubbs said. “Garrett just had a way better shooting night.”
After today’s consolation championship game, the Trojans return to action Monday when they visit Santa Rosa to play Elsie Allen.
