The Carson High girls basketball team gave California power Clovis West all it could handle before falling 73-58 in the championship game of the North Valleys Tournament on Saturday.
It was the closest game of the event for Clovis West, which stayed unbeaten. The Senators advanced to the finals with a 40-38 win over Rodriguez of Vacaville, Calif., in the semifinals. Danielle Peacon and Brandi Vega made the all-tournament team for Carson.
Carson trailed 17-9 after one quarter against Clovis West before closing to within 29-25 at halftime. But Clovis West went back up 52-38 after three quarters.
"They're just a very good team," Carson assistant coach Ron Tamori said. "It was a pretty exciting game. We were pretty happy with the effort. It's something to build on."
The difference of the game came from behind the arc and at the foul line. Clovis West hit nine three-pointers and was 20-of-29 from the line while the Senators hit four threes and was 12-of-22 from the line.
Clovis West also full-court pressed the entire game. "We felt we got a little tired," Tamori said.
Peacon had 15 points and seven rebounds, Kaitlin Burroughs scored 12 points, Anna Macquarie had seven points and Gina Bianchi added six points.
Carson (4-2) also fell behind 16-9 after one quarter against Rodriguez, but came back to take a 36-35 lead after three quarters, then outscored Rodriguez 4-3 in the fourth period.
"We slowed the game down," Tamori said. "The last two minutes was up for grabs. Either team could have won. We dodged a bullet."
Peacon had 13 points and eight rebounds, Vega scored 12 points and Megan Kilty and Christa Casci each added six points.
DAYTON GIRLS 46, NORTH TAHOE 43
Rebecca Monzello posted a double double with 23 points and 12 rebounds as Dayton won its Northern 3A opener on Friday at North Tahoe. Brittany Hill scored 14 points and freshman Aundria Pluck pulled down 17 rebounds.
"It wasn't always pretty but we fought and never quit playing," Dayton coach Shari Andreasen said. "The girls have a lot of heart."
CHS JVS DROP TWO
Carson dropped its last two games of the North Valleys event, losing to Reno High 67-44 and Douglas 46-32. Against Reno, Tiffany O'Day scored 13 points, Yvonne Hollett had 10 points, Karli Dodge had six points and Breanna Anderson added four points.
Against Douglas, Krista Mattice and Belen Munoz each scored six points, Tiandra Rushing had five points and Karli Dodge added four points. Hollett was named to the all-tournament team.