Lady Tigers impressive in losing effort

Game scores don't always tell the whole story.

Such was the case with the Nevada Lady Tigers 75-56 loss to Stockton on Tuesday night.

For the most part, the Tigers, with three new starters and freshmen reserves playing key roles, held their own against the senior-dominated defending Class 3 state champions.

Returning junior starters Hillary Adams and Lacy Leonard led Nevada to a first-quarter lead of 16-13 before Stockton went on one of its patented runs, outscoring the Tigers 31-12 in the second period.

"We're a team of runs and if we hang around it seems like every game we go through two or three runs where we get points in bunches," said Stockton coach Tony Armstrong. "It's usually only a matter of time."

But the Tigers refused to collapse under the pressure of the finely-tuned Stockton machine, built primarily on defense and 3-point shooting.

The second-half scoring was nearly even -- Stockton 31, Nevada 28.

"We did a lot of good things out there," said Nevada coach Brent Bartlett. "We weren't intimidated."

Especially encouraging was the play of first-time starters, sophomores Katie Rice and Lisa Pendrak along with junior transfer Chanelle Braun. Rice worked well inside, hitting the boards and scoring nine, including 5-of-6 from the charity stripe. Pendrak and Braun, against one of the top defensive teams anywhere, proved they are capable ball handlers.

Freshmen Amanda Wilson and Afton Baldwin received their initial varsity baptism and showed flashes of good things to come.

Wilson, in particular, looked nothing like an untested freshman once she shook off opening-varsity-game jitters. She exhibited a solid floor game and scored five in her varsity debut, knocking down a trey for her first-ever varsity points. Wilson split time between the varsity and junior varsity.

Leonard, who shared scoring honors with Adams with 18 apiece, said, "I think we played pretty good as a team. Our young players really stepped up and played well."

Stockton's all-stater Kiana Bock led all scorers with 23 points, 17 in the first half, while senior teammates Jessica Stanley and Kalena Kenney scored 17 and 15, respectively.

The Lady Tiger' effort drew praise from opposing coach Armstrong.

"They're going to be good," he said. "I was impressed. They're going to have a good year."

JV game

The Nevada junior varsity, comprised of all freshmen, also put up an impressive fight in a 43-38 loss to Stockton.

Said Nevada coach Allison Gorman, "They're young and they made young mistakes tonight with turnovers and forced passes, but they played so hard. I couldn't ask for more out of them."

Nevada held a 22-21 halftime lead, with Wilson leading the way with 11 points. Minus their top scoring threat in the second period, the Tigers continued to battle, staging a late comeback to close the gap.

"Those girls are used to winning," said Gorman of the group that went undefeated last season as eighth graders, "and they're not going to give anything away.

"It's great; I'm excited," she added.

Erica Klinksick was scoring runner-up with nine, while Kylee Francis and Jordan Scotten added six each.

Nevada visits El Dorado Springs next Tuesday at 6 p.m.