Nevada Appeal Staff Report
While it won't show up in the win column for Carson, the Senators' performance in Friday's nonleague game against Woodcreek (Calif.) was enough to give coach Todd Ackerman at least a semblance of satisfaction.
"It was a struggle, but overall we're getting better," Ackerman said of Carson's 56-46 loss to Woodcreek at Carson Middle School. "It was a good effort for all 11 girls. I was pleased with that."
Junior Gina Bianchi scored 19 points for Carson, which fell to 7-7 on the season. Cassie Vondrak added eight, Blaike King chipped in six, and Tiffany O'Day and Yvonne Hollett each contributed five for the Senators, who meet Del Oro (Calif.) today at Carson Valley Middle School.
Tip-off is 2:30 p.m.
Carson held a 15-10 lead after one quarter and took a 27-24 lead into halftime.
Woodcreek rebounded for a 35-34 lead after three and closed the game on a 10-2 run, during which it went 6-of-6 from the free throw line.
"We played really hard," Ackerman said. "The last game (a 37-29 loss to Coronado in the Las Vegas Holiday Classic), we didn't play hard."
Woodcreek was able to take advantage of what Ackerman called the Senators' Achille's heel " turnovers.
Carson had 29 turnovers to Woodcreek's 15.
"A lot of ours were unforced turnovers," Ackerman said. "We're working to get it down."
Today's game with Del Oro will give Carson, 1-0 in the Sierra League, one more chance to work on some aspects of its game before resuming league play against Wooster Tuesday at Morse Burley Gym.
"These will be two good games for us before we into league," Ackerman said. "If can continue our effort as get into league, well be a team to be reckoned with. We have to play with a lot of effort."