KELSEYVILLE >> After sparring with Cloverdale for a quarter, the Kelseyville Knights started landing some big-time punches, eventually beating the Eagles into submission 69-37 in the girls championship game of the 45th annual Stokes Invitational on Saturday night at Kelseyville High School.
A 24-6 second quarter set the tone for the Knights (4-0) as they ran away with the game, avenging a 40-33 loss to the Eagles in last year’s Stokes championship game.
“Our girls locked up on defense pretty well,” Kelseyville coach Jim Hale. “We were kind of playing their style of defense, doing to them what they’ve always done to us. We had great focus on defense.”
Kelseyville held Cloverdale to one field goal and four free throws in the second quarter while building a 36-16 halftime lead.
The Knights kept the pressure on in the third quarter as well, outscoring Cloverdale 20-12. Haleigh Meyer collected nine of her 16 points in the period.
“She helped keep us focused and on track in that quarter,” Hale said of Meyer’s scoring surge.
The Knights made few mistakes handling the ball — only 10 turnovers — while forcing numerous Cloverdale miscues.
“We had more steals (14) than turnovers, which is pretty good,” Hale said.
Alma Perez led the Knights with 23 points and was named to the All-Tournament team. Payton Conrad, only a sophomore, finished with 14 points, five assists and four steals and was honored as most valuable player.
“She had 22 steals for the tournament,” Hale said.
Meyer just missed a double-double with her 16 points and nine rebounds.
The Eagles were led by All-Tournament selections Tehya Bird with 16 points and Camryn Figueroa with 10.
Kelseyville and Cloverdale will cross paths at least two more times this season and possibly a third should they meet in the North Central League I postseason tournament.
Up next for the Knights is a first-round game against Aspire Langston Hughes Academy on Thursday at 5 p.m. in the Stevenson Tournament at Monterey.
In other Stokes action Saturday:
Upper Lake 55, St. Helena 36
A 22-4 quarter was the difference as the Upper Lake Cougars beat the St. Helena Saints in the consolation championship game behind 25 points from All-Tournament selection Natalie Karlsson and nine points from Kejhana Taylor.
“She’s the difference maker for us,” Upper Lake coach Mike Smith said of Taylor. “We know what Natalie is going to do for us. Once she (Taylor) relaxes and starts playing, that’s when we shine.”
Taylor’s defense in the third quarter helped the Cougars pull away after they entered the second half with just a 22-21 lead.
“Her defense and she knocked down a couple of layups,” Smith said of Taylor’s contributions in the third quarter. “When someone else on the team besides Natalie can hit a couple of buckets, it gets us going.”
Karlsson also had five rebounds, four assists and two steals in the win, Upper Lake’s second straight after an 0-2 start this season – losses to Kelseyville and Cloverdale. Kayla Nevarez finished with seven points.
Upper Lake draws Potter Valley on Thursday at 3:30 p.m. in the opening round of the Potter Valley Tournament.
