LO struggles against top competition at holiday tourney, but
coach pleased with improvement
SAN JOSE — A challenging three-game stint at the Lady Grizz Holiday Tournament faced the Lady Acorns varsity basketball team earlier this week, and despite hitting some rough patches along the way, the growth and progress of the team continued to take form for head coach Jeff Perkins.
“This team is on the right track,” Perkins said. “They are heading in the right direction. When we hit league I think we will be respectable. That is why these games are good for us.”
After a difficult 59-19 loss to host school Gunderson on Monday, the Lady Acorns found their footing against Silver Creek and played the Raiders close throughout the first half.
Silver Creek won the game 60-34, however.
“We played much better,” Perkins said. “The girls played well but we got into a little bit of foul trouble.”
Led by a huge 20-point, 14-rebound effort from 5-foot-10 freshman Fa Saulala, the game was tied 22-22 at the break.
“They were pressing us, but in the first half we were breaking the press and getting the ball inside to her,” Perkins said. “She has been dominating the boards for us. It’s nice to have that inside game.”
However, a 25-point third quarter by the Raiders put the game out of reach.
“We just don’t have the depth that some of these teams do,” Perkins said. “We had to sit a couple of our starters because of foul trouble. All in all the girls played hard.”
Senior Jacey Turay posted five points on the night and senior guard Ariana Guerrero put together a solid stat line with four points, four steals and four rebounds.
“(Guerrero) continues to give a good performance, game in and game out,” Perkins said.
Junior Savannah Ferguson led all Lady Acorn scorers against Gunderson with six points off the bench, and Danielle Dukes contributed four.
“This is a good tournament for us because we were coming off of a couple big wins, and now the girls get to play against some stiffer competition,” Perkins said. “It shows us what we need to improve.”
