The six seniors of Douglas High girls basketball pose for a photo Friday before taking on Carson. Pictured from left to right are Gabrielle Wallace, Camden Miller, Addy Doerr, Abigail Girnder, Breanna Williams and Riley Hoffman.
Photo by Ron Harpin.
Both Douglas High basketball teams had little trouble with their Carson opponents Friday in Minden.
The girls, powered by points from 12 players, were able to run away from the Senators for a 56-36 victory.
The win gives Douglas a 13-10 overall record this season with an 11-5 record in Class 5A league play, earning the Tigers the No. 3 tournament seed.
Wednesday, Douglas will host No. 6 Reed at 6:30 p.m. to open Class 5A regional postseason play.
“It’s kind of emotional because we’ve been playing together since third grade,” said senior Gabrielle Wallace. “It was lots of fun, but also really sad.”
Fellow senior Addy Doerr said the team spent most of the day looking back on pictures of all the games played together over the last decade.
“There have been so many influential people through this time since third grade. It’s been so much fun,” Doerr said.
Zora Simpson had 10 points in the win while Aleeah Weaver and Doerr each added nine.
Logan Karwoski posted six points alongside McKenzie Main and Ashlyn Greenfield each tallying five points.
“It’s kind of great that we’re all still together because that doesn’t happen very often. People from our third grade rec team are still with us and (former coach) Werner (Christian) is still with us,” Wallace said.
“From starting out with Tiger camps … and watching them grow up. It’s been so fun to watch them as they matured and how they took care of the younger girls,” said Douglas coach Jason Carter. “Without them, the program doesn’t exist. We’re not who we are.”
Tiger boys rout Carson
There wasn’t much doubt beyond the opening whistle what the outcome was going to be Friday.
The Douglas boys jumped out to a 31-9 lead after the opening quarter against Carson and could later rest en route to a 73-34 win.
Douglas concludes the regular season with a 15-10 overall record, 11-5 in Class 5A league play.
Tuesday night, the Tigers opened regional play as the No. 4 seed, hosting No. 5 Damonte Ranch.
“I’ve had so many different memories with all these guys. Running out of the tunnel tonight, I had goose bumps. I’m going to remember this night for the rest of my life,” said senior J.C. Reid, who had 15 points, six rebounds, seven assists and four steals in the win.
Fellow senior Theo Reid also posted a 15-point performance, adding eight boards, three blocks and a pair of steals.
“It’s been something we’ve been working for since third or fourth grade,” said Theo Reid. “It’s a really tight-knit community out here. J.C. and I have been playing together since second grade. We’ve been trying to convince everybody we’re brothers so we can play on the same team.”
Though they may not be related by blood, they will leave Douglas High as one of the more successful classes to come through the school.
Thomas McDowell wasn’t going to be outdone on his Senior Night, either, dropping 12 points while fellow seniors Jack Tolbert and Aden Flory had nine and four points, respectively.
“They are just a chill group. They’re calm and they trust each other,” said Douglas High coach Corey Thacker. “Hopefully, we can make this next week special for them and not just tonight.”
(Douglas High boys basketball and its five seniors pose for a photo on Senior Night on Friday in Minden. Pictured from left to right are Thomas McDowell, Aden Flory, Theo Reid, Jack Tolbert and JC Reid. / Ron Harpin)