SANTA ROSA — Roseland Collegiate Prep did everything it could to throw off Natalie Karlsson’s timing, but the Upper Lake senior made a triumphant return to the Cougars’ starting lineup, scoring 34 points in a 62-42 victory in North Central League II varsity girls basketball action on Tuesday night in Santa Rosa.
Back from a one-game suspension after being ejected last week in a loss to Rincon Valley Christian, Karlsson scored 15 points in the second quarter as the Cougars (6-4 league, 13-10 overall) pulled away to open up a 30-20 halftime lead.
“Bringing Natalie back was a little awkward to start a game on the road, but we adjusted,” Upper Lake coach Mike Smith said of the Cougars’ 21-12 second-quarter outburst. “They had one of their guards playing her really tight. She was right on her. They were doing their best to get under her skin.”
The strategy didn’t work for long as Karlsson went on to have another big night. In fact, she moved past Lower Lake’s Vince Alderman and into third place on Lake County’s list of all-time scoring leaders. Karlsson now has 1,688 points, 16 more than Alderman. Next up in second place is former Kelseyville star Scott Conrad, now the Knights’ athletic director and varsity boys basketball coach, at 1,717.
Isabel Rorabaugh added four points, eight rebounds, four steals and two blocks in the win.
“She was pretty tough defensively too,” Smith said.
Brenna Sanchez and Dakota Fugate added six points apiece.
Upper Lake has two league games and a non-league contest remaining on its regular-season schedule. Smith said the Cougars need a strong finish to guarantee themselves an at-large berth in the upcoming North Coast Section Division V playoffs.
“Two wins would make me feel a lot better,” Smith said of securing an at-large berth. “We’re on the bubble to make it (into the 16-team field).”
Upper Lake hits the road Friday to play Sonoma Academy in a league game and plays in Santa Rosa on Saturday against non-league opponent Elsie Allen.
