KELSEYVILLE >> Head coach Jim Hale didn’t have a single anxious moment on Tuesday night as the Kelseyville Knights clinched a North Central League I co-championship with a 68-25 victory over the St. Helena Saints in the league finale for both of these varsity girls’ basketball teams at Kelseyville.
Kelseyville’s win combined with Middletown’s 44-32 road victory at Willits leaves both Lake County teams as co-champs with 13-1 records. Middletown was the undisputed champion in 2015 with the same record.
The Knights suited up only seven players as Riley Goff missed the game with an ankle injury. Given so few players, Hale said it was easy to give everyone plenty of playing time against the winless Saints.
“All two of my reserves played a lot,” Hale joked.
It was the Knights’ 22nd victory overall against only four losses.
Next stop for Kelseyville is the NCL I postseason tournament on Friday at Mendocino College in Ukiah. Kelseyville plays Cloverdale in the opening round while Middletown draws Clear Lake. Winners advance to Saturday’s championship game. The higher finisher in the tournament between Kelseyville and Middletown earns the league’s automatic berth into the North Coast Section Division IV playoffs and a likely first-round home game.
“The girls are pretty excited about it,” Hale said. “It’s a chance to host a game in the playoffs and we’re going up against some great competition.”
The game against Cloverdale marks the fourth meeting between the two teams this season, with Kelseyville holding a 2-1 edge.
Tuesday also was senior night for the Knights, who honored their lone 12th-grader, Heidy Cano, before the start of play.
“We’d like to get her another home game (in the playoffs) if we can,” Hale said.
Haleigh Meyer led the Knights with 19 points, Alma Perez added 16, Cano had 12 and Payton Conrad 11.
Kelseyville won the junior varsity game 52-17.
In other action Tuesday:
M’town 44, Willits 32
At Willits, the Middletown Mustangs secured a share of their second straight league title with a difficult road victory in Willits. Next up for coach Anthony Bazzano’s squad is a first-round game against Clear Lake on Friday in the NCL I postseason tournament.
“It was a typical cage match up there,” Bazzano said. “They played their hearts out in front of the home crowd. We never got into a rhythm.”
A 15-8 fourth quarter allowed Middletown to extend only a five-point lead through three quarters.
“It was a tough road win,” Bazzano said.
Makenzi Smith led the Mustangs (13-1, 21-5) with 11 points, Emily Lescher added 10 and Kaleigh Alves nine. Lescher came up big down the stretch, scoring six points in the final period..
Bazzano, now in his third season at the varsity level, is 60-20 overall, including 36-6 in league play.
Clear Lake 56, Lower Lake 49
At Lakeport, the Clear Lake Cardinals secured their 15th win of the season while beating the Lower Lake Trojans in the final league game for both teams.
Clear Lake closes out its NCL I schedule in fourth place at 8-6 and will meet Middletown on Friday in the opening round of the league postseason tournament at Mendocino College in Ukiah.
Valerie Hutton led the Cardinals with 18 points while Aleia Milano’s 12 points paced the Trojans (4-10, 12-14). Taylor Helms (10 points) hit five of six free throws down the stretch to secure the win for the Cardinals.
Clear Lake beat Lower Lake 56-32 in the JV game, handing league champion Lower Lake (13-1) its first and only league loss.
Boys’ basketball
Rose. Prep 62, Upper Lake 47
At Santa Rosa, Upper Lake was denied a 16th win this season as the Roseland Prep Knights dominated the Cougars in NCL II action.
Upper Lake (8-5, 15-9) closes out its league and regular season Thursday night against Technology in Rohnert Park.
Derek Pritchard led the Cougars with 18 points.
Upper Lake trailed only 31-22 at halftime but never got going in the second half.
“We just didn’t come out to play in that third quarter,” Upper Lake coach Justin Dutcher said. “It turned into a one-sided track meet.”
Upper Lake fell 56-43 in JV action.
