SANTA ROSA — New Kelseyville High School varsity girls basketball head coach Skyler Olsen said the Knights are bound to improve after dropping a 48-29 non-league decision to the Piner Prospectors in the season opener for both teams Tuesday night in Santa Rosa.
“Tonight was more of a learning experience,” Olsen said. “I’ve got a lot of new girls and they’ve only been playing for two weeks. The chemistry isn’t there yet but once we get that meshing I think we’re going to be much better.”
Added Olsen, “We’ve got a lot of talent and I have a positive outlook.”
Piner (1-0) didn’t pull away until the fourth quarter. The Prospectors led only 9-7 after one quarter, 28-21 at halftime, and 36-24 through three quarters.
“It was mainly our defense that kind of broke down,” Olsen said.
Allison Bryant led the Knights (0-1) with eight points while teammates Ryann Taylor and Paloma Ortiz finished with six points apiece.
Kelseyville did win the junior varsity game 41-25 behind 19 points from Larue Furlani.
The varsity Knights are off until the first round of the Gridley Tournament on Dec. 5.
“I think the long break will help us,” said Olsen, who is anxious to get the Knights back on the practice court and up to speed.
