Scrappy defense has helped East Union’s girls basketball team start its season undefeated, but on Friday it was a second-half offensive explosion from Nylah Dyson that got the Lancers over the hump.
The freshman guard scored 22 of her 30 points over the final two quarters, sending EU to the Golden Valley Tournament final with a 55-41 victory over the host Cougars.
Senior standout Taylor Snaer supported Dyson’s effort with 17 points while providing her with open looks from the perimeter. Dyson knocked down three of her four 3-pointers in the third quarter when the 3-0 Lancers began to gain separation.
“Pretty incredible,” EU assistant coach Rick Marsh said. “She really took over the game. Taylor was a real steadying influence with her ball handling and getting to the rim. We had a nice inside-out game between them.”
Golden Valley (1-1) was well within reach at halftime down 20-17. Marsh credited the Cougars’ size and defensive aggression for keeping the Lancers at bay. East Union responded by outscoring them 19-12 in the third quarter.
Center Valentina Moreno led Golden Valley with 16 points, and Emily Rowan had 10.
East Union plays Dublin (2-1) in the championship game today starting at 2:30.
Merced 36, Ripon 33
Also at the Golden Valley Tournament, the Indians (2-2) trailed 24-15 after three quarters but gave themselves chances to win it at the end of the game.
Gabby Delgado spearheaded the second-half charge, as she scored 10 of her team-high 12 points in the fourth quarter. She also pulled down 11 rebounds. Emily Sesser contributed eight points.
Linda Yanez registered 10 points for Merced (3-3).
Ripon takes on winless San Mateo in the seventh-place game this morning at 10.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Turlock 66, Manteca 55
Noah Lyons poured in 29 points for the host Buffaloes (2-1), but it wasn’t enough to get them to the championship game of their inaugural Manteca Varsity Booster Tournament.
They’ll get a preview of what’s to come in the third-place game today starting at 12:30 when they take on Valley Oak League rival Central Catholic.
Peyton Neiman contributed 12 points for Manteca. Leading Turlock was 6-foot-8 center Gavin Cox with 25 points. The Bulldogs face off with Atwater in the championship game at 3:30.
The consolation final will feature Bear Creek and Mountain House starting at 2. Golden Valley and Liberty Ranch play for seventh place at 11.
East Union 72, Modesto 41
The Lancers charged out the gates and were up 55-20 at halftime in the Modesto City Classic game.
Dylan Lee torched the Panthers for 30 points, while Alex Cuevas contributed with 18.
GIRLS SOCCER
Manteca 8, Chavez 0
It was all Buffaloes (4-0) from the outset in this non-league drubbing in Stockton.
Manteca put away four goals in the first 10 minutes, and Alexia Alva accounted for four in a row at one point. Cami Silva contributed two goals and two assists. Galilea Sanchez dished out three assists. Corrine Jones added one goal and one assist. Kaley Crawford score once.
Haylie Brasil came up with three saves and has not given up a goal through four matches.
“We had been struggling in getting other people involved with the scoring, so this was good to see,” Manteca coach Justin Coenenberg said. “We’re starting to connect and move the ball around, and other girls are getting involved in our scoring opportunities.”
The Buffs conclude their busy week at Half Moon Bay today.
