Warrior Basketball
Lady Warrior Alyssa Cowee reacts to heavy pressure by a Shafter player in first half action last week. Cowee went on to score six points,
was credited with three rebounds and one block in the game for the Warriors. Photo by Michael Duffy, The Tehachapi News
Posted by Tom Shea, The Tehachapi News, on February 16, 2010 Lady Warriors In SSL Title Hunt
Mountain Basketball suffered a minor setback last Friday with their first league loss of the season against Shafter, but they still control their own destiny in the SSL title race.
Shafter handed Tehachapi a 54-42 loss at home, putting both the Lady Warriors and Lady Generals neck-and-neck atop the SSL standings.
"We were dispointed in the outcome of the game, but we give credit to Shafter for playing hard and pulling out the win," said coach Mark Bennett. "Some things didn't go our way in the game and they opened up a big advantage on us early."
The Lady Generals roared to a 17-9 first quarter lead, never relinquishing their gap despite a furious comeback in the second half by the Lady Warriors, who outscored Shafter 25-23 in the final two periods.
Overall in the game, Paige Bennett led the effort with 11 points and two assists, Amanda Viselli had 10 points and two steals and Persephonie Devereaux had four points and 10 rebounds.
Alyssa Cowee also had a solid game with six points, three rebounds a block, while Rachel Duff had four points and four steals.
"We were a different team coming out (in the third quarter) and I think our girls responded well," added Bennett. "(Shafter) made some key shots and sank their free throws. We just didn't get a chance to get back in it."
Despite the loss, Tehachapi (14-8; 6-1 SSL) can still win their sixth league championship in seven seasons with a three-game sweep this week against Taft, Bakersfield Christian and Arvin. All three teams have fallen to the Lady Warriors in previous league meetings.
Mountain Basketball could also receive boost in their rotation with the return of guard Bre Farinas, who is near full recovery from a neck injury suffered in a league game two weeks ago.
"Our team doesn't like to lose, but we've moved past (the Shafter) game and we're looking forward to what's ahead of us," Bennett said. "We have a focus and a new resolve and our team is up to the challenge. We're looking forward to competing."
Posted by Tom Shea, The Tehachapi News, on February 16, 2010 Warrior Men Remain Undefeated in SSL Play
With three league games remaining on the regular season, the Warriors took one step closer to a league championship with a 72-45 bruising over Shafter.
With the win, Tehachapi (18-6; 7-0 SSL) can clinch at least a share of the SSL title with a win this week.
Jordan Beardsley finished the game against the Generals with 18 points, followed by Dougan Patience with 11 points, Christian Torres with nine points and Corey Torres and Cory Lange with eight points each.
Robert Siegmund, Dallas Scaggs, Travis Farewell, Nick Buttcane, and Jacob Wesley each also had solid nights with a combined 19 points scored.
