Fallon's Kaytlin Hunter leaps to sink a basket during the Lady Wave's Saturday home game against South Tahoe.
Some games allow an opportunity for the regular starters to rest and give the bench players time on the court. Fallon’s Lady Wave had two such games last weekend when they defeated Sparks and South Tahoe.
The Wave defeated the Sparks Lady Railroaders Friday, 56-10, then defeated the Lady Vikings Saturday, 62-16.
Fallon coach Anne Smith said it was a great weekend since it allowed bench players to get some valuable playing time.
She said the bench really stepped up and played well, coming onto the court early and playing most of both games.
“That’s what was so great about this weekend,” Smith said. “We got some really great things from Chandler McAlexander, from Madi Whitaker, from Hannah Hitchcock, Hannah Evans. All those girls on the bench did a phenomenal job; I’m real excited about that.”
Smith said the games also were a good opportunity to work on offensive ball movement. While it is a key element during practice, Smith said it was good to gain game experience with the skills.
McAlexander said the other teams in the league are all trying to defeat Fallon. She said knowing that each team will be giving the Greenwave its best motivates the team.
McAlexander said they played with confidence and communicated well in both games. She said good communication from a team can be intimidating since it shows how well coordinated the players are.
“It lets them know we play together well,” McAlexander said. “It helps a lot with defense, it’s a big part of defense.”
Fallon owned the court from the beginning Friday, scoring six points in less than a minute thanks to Alexis Jarrett, Lailani Otuafi and Faith Cornmesser. Only a layup from Sparks’ Laree Marillo prevented it being uncontested. Fallon’s Kaitlyn Hunter followed up with a final basket for Fallon, 22-2 at the end of the first quarter.
Sparks fought back trying to cut into Fallon’s lead in the second quarter with Murillo, Marz Aguirre and Bri Estrada scoring. The Wave held strong, though, and maintained the lead with baskets from Whitaker, McAlexander, Hitchcock and Jarrett, 34-8.
Fallon nearly swept Saturday’s first quarter before South Tahoe’s Hailey Naccarato nailed a layup for the Lady Vikings, 20-2. Kaitlyn Janese opened the second quarter with another basket for South Tahoe, followed by a free throw from Maegan Perez. The Wave continued to open the lead before Teagan Williamson and Jenny Martinez closed out the half with Vikings baskets, 34-9.
The third quarter was another near sweep, with Fallon breaking to a running clock; in the final minutes though, baskets from Naccarato brought the score to 54-13. The final quarter was the closest in number of baskets, with the Wave adding four and South Tahoe’s Kayleen Conard and Janese bringing the Lady Vikings to their final score.
This weekend the Lady Wave travels to Spring Creek and Elko. Fallon played both teams at the start of the season and Smith said it’s likely the Indians and Spartans will have improved. McAlexander said there would be harder games going forward and they will have to play their best.