UPPER LAKE >> Natalie Karlsson missed a 3-pointer in the final seconds and the Upper Lake Cougars, who took a 35-30 lead into the fourth quarter against North Central League II-leading Sonoma Academy, fell 43-41 to the Coyotes in varsity girls’ basketball action Friday night in Upper Lake.
A Sonoma Academy defender made contact with Karlsson on her potential game-winning shot but no foul was forthcoming, according to Upper Lake coach Mike Smith. “There was contact with her hand,” Smith said. “It wasn’t a clean shot.”
Upper Lake trailed 30-22 at halftime but blanked Sonoma Academy 13-0 in the third quarter to move in front.
“You have to put four quarters together to beat a team like Sonoma Academy. We put together two,” Smith said.
Sixteen points and eight rebounds from Kejhana Taylor and seven points and 18 rebounds from Brenna Sanchez led the Cougars, who dropped to 8-4 in league and 13-11 overall. Isabel Rorabaugh also had seven points.
“She (Sanchez) did not give them a lot of second opportunities and that gave us a shot to win,” Smith said.
Upper Lake finishes its league schedule with two road games next week — Tuesday at Roseland Prep and Thursday at Tech.
“We need to play well on the road if we’re going to apply for a playoff berth because we’ll be on the road for the playoffs, too,” Smith said.
