STOCKTON – After missing her first attempt at sinking the go-ahead free throw with 20 seconds remaining in the game, Weston Ranch junior Timnesha Wilson took full advantage of her second try, pushing the Cougars up for good in their 51-50 win over Chavez High Thursday in the Stagg Tournament.
Wilson calmly swished her second attempt and Weston Ranch was able to hold off a last-second chance by Chavez to steal the tournament’s first round game and hand the tourney’s defending champions a little momentum for the remainder of the three-day tournament.
“I wasn’t really nervous, I was just a little frustrated,” Wilson said of her untimely miss. “But I was able to pull it together and hit a free throw to win a game.”
Weston Ranch (2-1) found themselves scraping to stay in the contest the entire evening, trailing at the half by three. The Cougars outscored Chavez in the third period, erasing their deficit and giving the squad a shot at the victory, opening the fourth period tied at 32-32.
Chavez looked to have pulled away from the Cougars when it went on an 8-1 run early in the fourth, but a Jazmin Strane basket with just over three minutes to play ignited the Cougar offense at the perfect time.
Courtney Duran followed with a huge 3-pointer, which cut Chavez’ lead to two.
“They did it last year all season long for us,” Weston Ranch head coach Chris Bauer said. “That’s their role — if we need a jump shot, or someone to take care of the ball those two have to step up.”
Duran finished with a team-leading 13 points, while Wilson added 12 and Strane recorded with 10. Freshman Emoni Wilson made solid contributions on the defensive end and chipped in three points, while Emily Medeiros complemented Strane in the paint, finishing with five points.
Weston Ranch will face the winner of the Merced-Stagg contest, with tipoff scheduled for 8 p.m.
“We want to just try and get better, but we want to win this tournament too,” Timnesha Wilson said. “We are trying hard to get better and we surely do not want to come here and lose.
“All the girls on our team love to play, so we’re just going to play hard.”
Sierra was unable to get anything going on the offensive end, scoring two in the first, three in the second, five in the third and three in the final period. Jordan Johnson, Lia Unterholzner and Jaslynn Liotard all chipped in with three.
Kelsey Tillema led the Knights in scoring, finishing the first round contest with 10.
Ripon Christian will be back on the court today at 6 when it takes on Brookside Christian in consolation bracket action.
Wilson calmly swished her second attempt and Weston Ranch was able to hold off a last-second chance by Chavez to steal the tournament’s first round game and hand the tourney’s defending champions a little momentum for the remainder of the three-day tournament.
“I wasn’t really nervous, I was just a little frustrated,” Wilson said of her untimely miss. “But I was able to pull it together and hit a free throw to win a game.”
Weston Ranch (2-1) found themselves scraping to stay in the contest the entire evening, trailing at the half by three. The Cougars outscored Chavez in the third period, erasing their deficit and giving the squad a shot at the victory, opening the fourth period tied at 32-32.
Chavez looked to have pulled away from the Cougars when it went on an 8-1 run early in the fourth, but a Jazmin Strane basket with just over three minutes to play ignited the Cougar offense at the perfect time.
Courtney Duran followed with a huge 3-pointer, which cut Chavez’ lead to two.
“They did it last year all season long for us,” Weston Ranch head coach Chris Bauer said. “That’s their role — if we need a jump shot, or someone to take care of the ball those two have to step up.”
Duran finished with a team-leading 13 points, while Wilson added 12 and Strane recorded with 10. Freshman Emoni Wilson made solid contributions on the defensive end and chipped in three points, while Emily Medeiros complemented Strane in the paint, finishing with five points.
Weston Ranch will face the winner of the Merced-Stagg contest, with tipoff scheduled for 8 p.m.
“We want to just try and get better, but we want to win this tournament too,” Timnesha Wilson said. “We are trying hard to get better and we surely do not want to come here and lose.
“All the girls on our team love to play, so we’re just going to play hard.”
Bear Creek 36, Sierra 13
The Bruins held the upper hand throughout, holding Sierra to just five first-half points on their way to an easy victory.Sierra was unable to get anything going on the offensive end, scoring two in the first, three in the second, five in the third and three in the final period. Jordan Johnson, Lia Unterholzner and Jaslynn Liotard all chipped in with three.
Turlock Christian Tournament
Turlock Christian 48, Ripon Christian 28
Turlock Christian got off to a good start, scoring 15 and 17 in the first two periods, giving the Knights a deficit they could not overcome.Turlock Christian 48, Ripon Christian 28
Kelsey Tillema led the Knights in scoring, finishing the first round contest with 10.
Ripon Christian will be back on the court today at 6 when it takes on Brookside Christian in consolation bracket action.
