Napa picks up crucial win over American Canyon on Senior night
By Kyle Foster
Twitter: @NapaKyle @NapaSportsNews
The Napa High girls basketball team honored their five seniors on senior night on Tuesday night.
Also on Tuesday night the program sent the five seniors that consists of Caitlyn Neal, Sofia Brandon, Jenna Baker, Siena Young, and Jane McLoughlin out in good fashion with a 55-44 win over American Canyon.
“It is our final home game, so I’m very happy they got to end on this (note),” Napa coach Darci Ward said of winning on senior night.The Grizzlies began the game with what was a somewhat sluggish start, which makes sense since they played a double overtime game on Saturday night.
“Our girls are tired,” Ward explained. “Our girls are pooped.”
Then, in the second quarter Napa (14-10 overall, 5-5 Vine Valley Athletic League) turned on the jets to jump out to a 16-point halftime advantage, due in large part to the defense holding the visiting Wolves (10-15, 2-9 VVAL) to only five points.
“I thought overall it was pretty good,” Ward said of the defensive effort on the night. “I think we had a few mental lapses and allowed a few easy buckets and layups, but I think overall when we were really focusing on our half court defense, our press, I thought we did a great job in that.”
It was yet another night where the Grizzlies were led by junior guard Carly Johnson. She ended the night with 15 points and three rebounds.
She had eight of her points come in the first half, all of them being coast-to-coast layups while trying to get through the American Canyon full-court press.
“That’s what she did the last time we played them,” Ward said. “She kinda single handedly had to break their press. So, tonight I think she kinda knew ‘oh, I can do that’. So, she was able to do that. It was nice.”
Brandon added nine points and two rebounds and Maizy Armstrong-Brown had eight points and four rebounds.
The Grizzlies also had one of their better night shooting from the three point line as they went 7-for-18 from beyond the arc.
“I think we can do that,” Ward said of her team’s ability shooting from the three point line. “We’ve just been inconsistent this year, but I think overall we have great shooters. So, I think when we’re in rhythm and set, then I think anything can happen.”
Napa will finish the regular season with back-to-back trips to Petaluma. On Thursday they’ll visit Petaluma, and on Monday they’ll visit Casa Grande. On Tuesday night Petaluma beat Casa Grande, 45-38, for their first victory over their crosstown rival in ten years. American Canyon, meanwhile will host Sonoma Valley on Thursday night at 7 p.m.
