Maddie Preston
In a possible preview of a first-round playoff game, Reed outlasted Carson, 56-49, Tuesday night in a Division I crossover game at Morse Burley Gym.
The Raiders, who played without Gabby Williams (knee), improved to 9-2, and Carson, who was without Savannah Smith (knee), dropped to 6-5. It appears both players will be out the remainder of the year.
“I’m much more proud of this loss than I was with our last win,” Carson coach Nate Tolbert said. “The kids worked hard, but we’re finding out we’re still a pretty young team.”
Carson hit a cold spell at the end of the first half (2:33) and at the beginning of the fourth quarter (3:05), and Reed outscored Carson 19-0 in those two segments alone. The one thing Tolbert and the Senators can take solace in is that the Raiders are a beatable team without Williams in the lineup.
Carson scored eight of the game’s first 12 points and actually had a 20-19 lead until Reed scored seven straight, three from Tyler Sumpter (15 points), to take a 26-20 lead at the intermission.
The Raiders scored six straight points in the latter stages of the third quarter to take a 40-31 lead, but the Senators, thanks to three free throws by Serena Miller, closed the gap to 40-36 after three.
Reed opened up a 16-point lead, 52-36, thanks to a 12-0 run to start the fourth quarter. Carson went 0-for-5 and turned the ball over once in that span.
The Senators weren’t done, however, storming back with a 9-0 run of their own to make it 52-45 with 2:23 to go. Madison Preston (14 points) had four in the surge, while Michelle Perry and Natali Salas (10 points) added two free throws apiece.
Reed’s Tina Vernon, who led all scorers with 21 points, scored two straight baskets to get Reed’s lead back to double digits at 56-45. Carson never got closer than seven points the rest of the way.
Carson visits Manogue Friday at 5:15.
Douglas 56, North Valleys 24
MINDEN — Ten different players contributed to the scoring Tuesday for the Douglas High girls basketball team in its victory at home against North Valleys.
Katie McCullough led the balanced attack with 10 points, while Kelly Sonnemann, Leonna Mortimer and Maddy Lowe added 8 each for Douglas (16-6 overall, 9-2 league).
The Tigers scored 17 unanswered points during a seven-minute stretch spanning the second and third quarters to break the game open. Douglas led 22-10 at halftime.
Sierra Lutheran 28, Whittell 24
Sierra Lutheran used a 12-2 first quarter advantage to hold on for a victory over Whittell on Tuesday. Natalie Echeverria scored 14 points for the Falcons. Cali Benton added nine points and pulled down 20 rebounds. Sierra Lutheran is now 8-12 overall and 3-6 in league.
VARSITY BOYS
Douglas 78, North Valleys 65
MINDEN — Austin Evans scored 22 points and James Herrick 18 to pace the Douglas boys basketball team to a win at home against North Valleys.
Evans shot 8-for-16 from the field, including three 3-pointers, to equal his season best scoring total. The 78 points was a team high this season for Douglas (11-7 overall, 7-4 Sierra League).
The Tigers led 38-29 at halftime and never allowed North Valleys to get any closer than five points in the second half.
Alex Tessmann added 10 points and Pat Johnson nine for the Tigers. A.J. Pfaffenberger contributed five assists and Herrick grabbed 11 rebounds.
Jalil Walker led all scorers with 28 points for North Valleys (11-10, 3-8).
The Tigers, who have won seven of their last nine games, face a critical test Friday at Galena.
JV GIRLS
Carson 33, Reed 23
Brianna Alvarado and Taylor Weddell scored eight points apiece to lead the Senators past Reed.
Carson, 18-1, also got seven points from Andrea Maffei and six from Melissa Glanzmann.
JV BOYS
Carson 70 Reed 65
SPARKS — Four players reached double figures to lead Carson to a narrow win over Reed.
Greg Wallace led the way with 19, while Cody Azevedo added 14, Kyle Krebs 12, and Tez Allen 10.
Carson is 17-2.
FROSH BOYS
Reed 49, Carson 39
SPARKS — Carson was led by Sevon Mandoki with 13 points, but it wasn’t enough in a 10-point loss Tuesday. Brandon Gagnon added 12 points for Carson.
FROSH GIRLS
Carson 43, Reed 27
SPARKS — Josie Share scored 19 points to spark Carson to an easy win on Tuesday.
Haydyn Thom added eight and Molly Otto seven for CHS.