Girls HS Basketball Teams Shine At North Bay Holiday Tournaments

NORTH BAY, CA — Several North Bay varsity girls basketball teams, along with some from neighboring East Bay, have spent the last few weekends battling it out on the courts in their quest for a tournament title.

In the inaugural Lady Pumas Invitational Tournament held Dec. 8-9 at Maria Carrillo High School in Santa Rosa, Rancho Cotate High School's Lady Cougars of Rohnert Park won the championship game after coming from behind in a second half effort to beat a tough, smaller Northgate team of Walnut Creek, 62-42.

Tournament Director Jeff Paul, coach for host team Maria Carrillo, was pleased with the quality of play, pointing out that teams were selected for balance. Teams included squads from Petaluma, Analy (Sebastopol), Northgate (Walnut Creek), Maria Carrillo, Sonoma, Credo, Piner and Rancho Cotate high schools.

In the championship game, the smaller Northgate team stunned Rancho Cotate in the first half, drawing fouls and hitting an incredible 21 free throws, taking a 31-26 first-half command going into the locker room.

However, the Rancho Cotate Cougars emerged from their locker room with claws out, hitting consecutive scores to start the second half — dominating the boards and taking advantage of fast breaks.

By the 5:44 third-quarter mark, the Rohnert Park team rallied to lead by 36-31, with Jessica Phillips, Kierra Johnson and Keyonee Neal providing the spark.

Katie Schiebold also contributed to the rally with tough under-the-basket power.

Rancho Cotate's Mekenna Menton Porter and Neal were awarded all-tourney honors.

Rancho had to get past a well-coached, disciplined cross-town rival of Credo in a David-and-Goliath matchup. Rancho Cotate has a mega multipurpose gym under construction, while the Credo girl have a small campus a few miles away without a gym of their own.

Rancho Cotate coach Mario Newton did not have much time to celebrate since the team was back on the hardwoods at Napa High School for the Wine Valley Classic basketball tournament Dec. 13-16.

Heading into the action, the Rancho girls were considered a powerhouse squad after their first tournament run brought them to a 6-1 record in the young season.

In the Wine Valley Classic, host Napa High topped Liberty of Brentwood 55-40 for third place.

Vintage High battled it out against Rancho Cotate in the consolation bracket, with Rancho pulling off a 57-53 victory.

Teams can be followed online for scores, schedules and other info at Maxpreps.com by searching the school name and sport.

Reporting and photos contributed by Al Francis/Napasonomaphotos.com; Editing by Patch local editor Maggie Avants