ST. HELENA >> Middletown High School has new a career scoring leader in varsity girls’ basketball. Ashlyn Welton fired in 20 points to pass former leader Kat Cardoza on Middletown’s scoring list and the Mustangs rolled by the host St. Helena Saints 63-20 on Friday night to remain undefeated in the North Central League I standings.
Welton needed only four points entering play to pass Cardoza (1,035). She can now set her sights on the school’s all-time scoring mark of 1,230 points set by Tyler Hunt in 2008.
“The girls kept their focus and you’re always worried about that coming into a game like this,” Middletown coach Anthony Bazzano said of the Mustangs’ 15th straight league win dating back to last season. “We played very well and did what we had to do.”
The outcome against the Saints (0-4), the only team in the NCL I without at least one win, was never in doubt. Middletown led 18-2 after one quarter and 32-7 at halftime.
Welton and Makenzi Smith both had big games. Welton had 11 rebounds, six steals and five blocks to go along with her 20 points, and Smith had 15 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and four steals.
Middletown returns home tonight to face Mercy of San Francisco in a non-league. Junior varsity action tips off at 3:30 p.m.
In other girls’ action:
Clear Lake 58, Fort Bragg 51
At Fort Bragg, in a battle of 1-2 teams looking to stay closer to the league leaders, the Clear Lake Cardinals beat the Fort Bragg Timberwolves on the Mendocino County coast.
Corin Alakszay powered the Cardinals (2-2, 9-6) with 19 points and seven assists while Valerie Hutton and Taylor Helms each added 11 points.
“We showed a lot of heart and toughness tonight,” Clear Lake coach Kory Reynolds said.
A handful of Cardinals had to play smart down the stretch with four fouls, including Helms, the team’s top scorer on the season.
“We were just happy to get out of there with a win,” Reynolds said. “It was a good team effort.”
Boys’ basketball
M’town 54, St. Helena 39
At Middletown, in a game matching two teams looking to escape the NCL I basement, the Middletown Mustangs played solid defense and receive good bench play to beat the St. Helena Saints.
“We needed this one,” Middletown coach G.J. Rockwell said. “There were a lot of smiles in the locker room after the game.”
With the Mustangs (0-3, 4-6) in foul trouble early, Rockwell went to his bench often.
“They played basically all of the second quarter and into the third,” Rockwell said.
Jake Rivera, a starter, and Sam Pyzer, a reserve, led the team with 13 points apiece.
“Thirteen off the bench was pretty big,” Rockwell said of Pyzer.
Two other reserves who came through in a big way were Jake Olson and Trevor LaFave.
“Jake didn’t score but he played incredible defense. LaFave had 10 rebounds (and six points).”
Upper Lake 64, Calistoga 50
At Calistoga, minus four players, the Upper Lake Cougars beat the Calistoga Wildcats in NCL II action.
Upper Lake (3-1, 9-4) took the floor minus its leading scorer on the season, Isaac Nevarez (ankle), Cody Rybolt (attending a baseball camp), Ray Gutierrez (academically ineligible) and a fourth player who was benched just before the game for disciplinary reasons.
“We suited up eight but we finished the game with just four players on the floor,” Upper Lake coach Justin Dutcher said.
Upper Lake had a 22-9 lead after one although Calistoga closed to 32-26 by halftime. The Cougars opened things up a bit with a 17-11 third quarter.
Isaiah Garcia led the Cougars with 18 points and Chase Goetjen had 12.
