UPPER LAKE >> And now the wait begins.
The Upper Lake Cougars beat Roseland University Prep 54-43 on Tuesday night in North Central League II varsity girls basketball action, running their overall record to 15-11 while finishing up 7-5 in league play.
Will that be good enough to get Upper Lake into the North Coast Section Division V playoffs next week as an at-large team? Stay tuned. The sectional at-large and seeding meeting takes place Sunday at which time Upper Lake and senior guard Natalie Karlsson will learn whether their season – and in Karlsson’s case, career – is over or whether they’ve got at least one more game to go.
Karlsson rolled out 26 points against Roseland University Prep to boost her sky-high career total to 1,764. If she can get at least one more game, the four-year varsity veteran could joined Upper Lake’s Laura Wilder (1990-94) as the only two Lake County players to score 1,800 points. Wilder finished with 1,897.
“I feel like 15-11 should get us in,” Smith said. “Fifteen wins and playing a tough schedule should be enough, but it’s not in our hands.”
Upper Lake took a 32-19 lead into halftime against a team it lost to 35-34 earlier this season in Santa Rosa, a game the Cougars blew a double-digit lead. Sure enough, Roseland came roaring back with a 18-5 third quarter to pull even. Upper Lake scored first in the fourth quarter to break the 37-all tie and led the rest of the way, outscoring Roseland 17-6 in the final period.
Kejhana Taylor scored eight points and pulled down a team-best 11 rebounds for the Cougars and Isabel Rorabaugh added seven points and three steals.
In other girls action Tuesday:
K’ville 54,
St. Helena 16
At Kelseyville, the Kelseyville Knights secured a piece of the NCL I championship for the second year in a row by beating the winless St. Helena Saints in the league finale for both teams.
Kelseyville (12-2 league, 23-3 overall) ends up tied with Lower Lake in the league standings, one game ahead of Clear Lake (11-3).
While the outcome of the game was never in doubt – Kelseyville led 17-4 after one quarter and 35-6 at halftime – Kelseyville coach Jim Hale said the Knights were excited about repeating as league champions even if their final opponent didn’t provide much suspense.
“I think it will sink in what they’ve accomplished,” Hale said. “And we get to hang another banner.”
Payton Conrad powered the Knights with 17 points against a St. Helena squad that finishes 0-14 in league play. Brisa Villa and Alma Perez added nine points apiece.
Prior to their final home game of the regular season, the Knights honored their six seniors – starters Perez, Taylor Hale, Carli Mendonca and Haleigh Meyers, and reserves Maddie West and Kia Kohler.
Boys basketball
Clear Lake 72,
Lower Lake 61
At Lakeport, Clear Lake center Lucas Stahr scored all 18 of his points in the second half to power the Clear Lake Cardinals past the Lower Lake Trojans in the NCL I finale for both teams.
The victory secures the No. 3 in the league playoff tournament for Clear Lake (8-6, 13-13).
“It’s been a grind, a tough season and we’ve played some tough teams,” Clear Lake coach Scott De Leon said. “We’re excited to be playing in the shaughnessy.”
Stahr, who wasn’t feeling well before the game started and didn’t score in the first half, went 8-for-10 from the free throw-line in the second half. He also finished with 12 rebounds, seven of them on the offensive boards.
“We pounded the ball inside and just kind of pulled away in the second half,” De Leon said.
Ryan Damiata also had 18 points for Clear Lake in the win and Max De Leon added 14 points and 12 rebounds. Both seniors were playing in their final home game.
“It was emotional,” De Leon said of senior night for the Cardinals, which included his son, Max. “We have kind of a unique bond with Lower Lake that goes back to the fifth grade. These kids have been playing basketball against each other since then.”
Hokulani Wickard’s 23 points paced the Trojans (6-8, 11-14). Marlon Jones added 15 points and Jordan McGrath had 11.
Roseland 52,
Upper Lake 41
At Upper Lake, the Upper Lake Cougars lost their way in the fourth quarter and fell to Roseland University Prep in NCL II action.
Ahead just 35-33 through three quarters, Roseland pulled away with a 17-8 fourth quarter that featured four 3-pointers.
“We just didn’t quite have our normal spark,” Upper Lake coach Justin Dutcher said. “We were just kind of off.”
Kenny Hodges’ nine points paced the Cougars (7-6, 12-13) and Pancho Flores added eight.
Upper Lake hosts Tech on Thursday night in its league and regular-season finale.
