ORLAND >> If they gave out frequent driver miles, the Kelseyville High School varsity girls basketball team would be sitting pretty, even prettier than it is after beating Orland 45-29 in a non-league game on Monday night in Orland.
The Knights improved to 7-1 with their most recent victory. They’re coming off a tournament championship Saturday in Calistoga, that after winning the Gridley Tournament the previous weekend. They’ve also played a non-league game at Durham, which is their only loss to date this season.
“We’re tired after being on the road a lot,” Kelseyville coach Jim Hale said. “It’s going to be really good to play at home finally.”
The Knights make their Kelseyville debut on Thursday when then take on Calistoga at 6 p.m. in the opening round of the Stokes Tournament, which runs through Saturday.
Considering how many hours Kelseyville has spent traveling to and from game locations so far this season, Hale joked, “I’m surprised I’ve still got a job.”
Playing Orland for the second time this season – Kelseyville won 70-34 in the Gridley Tournament on Nov. 30 – the Knights had to make some on-the-fly adjustments, according to Hale.
“They changed up their defense and made us run around out after them, but I thought we played very tough,” Hale said.
Allison Bryant led the team with 13 points, Grace Davidson and Linda Baqleh each had 10 points and Bib Hamner added six more. Davidson led the team with 15 rebounds.
“Gracie chased the ball down and was getting a lot of rebounds for us,” Hale said. “My post players combined for 26 points and I’ll take that.”
Kelseyville also won the junior varsity game as Paloma Ortiz led the way with 17 points in a 40-34 Knights victory. MJ Boardman added nine points. The JV Knights are now 4-1.
