UPPER LAKE >> Kenny Hodges opened the 2017-18 campaign with a bang, scoring a team-leading 29 points in Upper Lake’s 64-36 season-opening win over the Anderson Valley Panthers in varsity boys basketball action on Monday night in Upper Lake.
Hank Nevarez added 10 points and a team-best seven steals in the victory while Dylan Armstrong had eight points.
“We started out a little sluggish but we got into a pretty good flow in the middle of the third quarter,” Upper Lake head coach Justin Dutcher said.
Leading 25-15 at halftime, the Cougars (1-0) used a big fourth quarter – 24-8 – to put the game away.
Switching to a half-court trap on defense aided Upper Lake’s offense, according to Dutcher.
“Their guards couldn’t handle it,” Dutcher said.
Colton Goetjen pulled down 12 rebounds for the Cougars while Andrew Brackett had seven rebounds to go along with five points.
Upper Lake hosts Kelseyville on Tuesday night in a North Coast Section Foundation Game, which does not count toward either team’s won-loss record. The Cougars’ next official game is Nov. 30 at home against Geyserville in the opening round of the Upper Lake Tournament. Tip-off is 7:30 p.m.
In junior varsity action on Monday, Upper Lake beat Anderson Valley. The final score and other details were not reported.
