Rancho Cotate Girls Hold Off Newark Memorial In NCS Playoff

ROHNERT PARK, CA — Rancho Cotate High School's girls varsity basketball squad had to depend on its defense to pull away from a stubborn Newark Memorial High School team to advance in the North Coast Sectional playoffs Tuesday, 62-48.

Playing at Rancho Cotate's home gym — soon to be replaced with a new, modern building — the Lady Cougars had to stay strong in order to fight off the scrappy Newark Memorial team that pulled within three points going into the fourth quarter, 38-35.

However, Rancho Cotate's consistent pressure, including a full-court press, finally paid off. The Lady Cougars hit three consecutive baskets off turnovers, taking the air out of the smaller Newark Memorial team with about 4 minutes left in the game.

The next stop in the NCS playoffs will be between North Bay Titans-Montgomery High School of Santa Rosa and Rancho Cotate. Montgomery topped El Cerrito on Tuesday, 51-25. The Montgomery-Rancho Cotate clash will be at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 15 at Montgomery High school in Santa Rosa.

Newark Memorial had as many coaches on its bench as there were players — four coaches and only four players suited up and ready to play. Meanwhile, Rancho Cotate had 10 players in reserve, including some brought up from its JV squad.

Kierra Johnson led all scorers with 18 points, while Keyonee Neal hit 11 points and Makenna Menton-Porter added nine points.

Rancho Cotate had to depend on its tough defense and muscle under the basket to stay ahead of Newark Memorial. However, one area in which the Lady Cougars lacked was at the free-throw line, missing most of their free-throw opportunities that in a closer game would have been crucial.

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Story and photos by Al Francis/Napasonomaphotos.com