KELSEYVILLE >> The Kelseyville Knights couldn’t recover from a bad start in a 66-54 loss to the Piedmont Highlanders in the girls championship game of the 46th annual Stokes Basketball Tournament at Kelseyville High School.
Piedmont scored the game’s first 12 points and had a 25-10 lead after one quarter.
“We outscored them the rest of the way, but we just couldn’t make up for our start,” Kelseyville coach Jim Hale said. “The girls got a valuable lesson on what happens when you start a game on your heels. We were a little intimidated at first, we battled through it and got over it, but we were just too far behind to catch up.”
Kelseyville (9-2) landed two players on the All-Tournament team. Payton Conrad finished with a team-leading 20 points, including career point No. 900, while Grace Davidson added 13 points.
Hale also had high praise for the play of post Bib Hamner, who finished with seven points and eight rebounds.
“She was outsized but she was just battling and getting rebounds, playing like she was 6-4 out there,” Hale said.
Conrad had five 3-pointers.
The Knights close out their preseason Tuesday with a road game in Napa against Justin-Siena.
“They’ve performed above my expectations,” Hale said. “It’s a good group to work with. They all get along with each other.”
In other final-round Stokes games Saturday:
Third place
Healdsburg 48, Upper Lake 23
The Healdsburg Greyhounds wrapped up third place with a win over the Upper Lake Cougars, who take a 6-4 record into the winter break.
Upper Lake stayed close for a half, trailing only 15-12, before the Greyhounds took command with a 21-7 third quarter.
“I thought they played real competitive,” Upper Lake coach Mike Smith said. “It was a long week for the girls with finals and everything. I’m pretty proud of their effort.”
Alana and Brenna Sanchez scored six points apiece to lead the Cougars. Brenna Sanchez was named to the All-Tournament team.
“We’re 6-4 moving into league and I’m pretty happy with that,” Smith said. “We’re excited.”
Consolation title
Del Norte 76, Calistoga 19
Bella Stone’s 16 points powered Del Norte in its consolation championship game win over Calistoga. Gilda Rojas led the Wildcats with 10 points.
Seventh place
Foresthill 52, Round Valley 29
Holly Brooks tossed in 23 points for Foresthill in a seventh-place victory over the Round Valley Warriors. Ariana Pinola led Round Valley with nine points.
