By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
McIntyre, Scharmann almost outscore Wildcats in upset
Placeholder Image
SONORA – If there were any bigger fans of Sierra High Tuesday night than the East Union Lancers, one would be hard-pressed to find them.

Shocking the Valley Oak League landscape with a huge 54-46 upset over second-place Sonora, the T’Wolves got it done with two epic performances from Ariel McIntyre (23 points, 14 rebounds) and Heather Scharmann (20 points, 18 rebounds).

Combining for 43 of Sierra’s 54 points and nearly outscoring the Wildcats all by themselves, Sierra’s dominant post tandem was nearly unstoppable.

“We got the ball down low, obviously,” Sierra head coach Isaac Gutierrez said. “Ariel and Heather both had a few three-point plays. That was our goal, to get it to our bread and butter.”

Sonora point guard Kelli Keefe went absolutely nuts at Sierra High the first time around, hitting eight 3-pointers and scoring a game-high 29. Tuesday night in the foothills, Keefe managed a quiet eight.

“She didn’t hit any threes,” Gutierrez said. “That was really big for us. The defense did what it had to do.”

Gutierrez was also impressed with Sierra’s ball-handling, as the T’Wolves broke Sonora’s press with ease and finished up on the offensive end with productive possessions, most going through you know who.

Sierra (4-5 VOL, 9-9 overall) hosts Manteca Thursday.

Ceres 48, East Union 47
Just as Weston Ranch and Sierra found out a week ago, East Union discovered Tuesday night that the Bulldogs are quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with.

Following a clutch 15-foot jumper from Kati Davi with just six seconds left, Ceres’ Jode Johnson dribbled up the right side and sank a 10-foot baseline jumper at the buzzer to claim the miraculous win.

The loss was only EU’s second of the season.

“Tip your hat,” EU head coach Jim Agostini said. “Johnson hit the shot. It was a great high school basketball game.”

The Lancers led 14-7 after one, 28-21 at half, and 39-29 heading into the decisive frame.

“We just gave it right back,” Agostini said. “We had some foul trouble, Rachel (McDaniel, 6 points, five assists) had three fouls in the first half.”

Ashley Rose finished with 18 and eight assists, and Alyssa Wegner had 10 points, nine rebounds and three steals.

Rachel O’Neal chipped in six and four steals.

Lexy Posz missed the contest with an illness, but Agostini was impressed with how Davi and Krystal Young picked up the slack.

“We worked ourselves into great position with the win (vs. Sonora), unfortunately VOL games on the road are tough,” Agostini said. “We’d like to see somebody else beat Sonora, but there’s a lot more basketball left for us.

“We just have to regroup and take on the challenge.”

Although Sierra provided the Sonora loss the Lancers (7-2 VOL, 20-2 overall) were looking for Tuesday night, the road doesn’t get any easier as Weston Ranch visits the Dalben Center Thursday.

— Brandon Petersen