Vintage starts fast, cruises past Napa in Big Game
By Kyle Foster
Twitter: @NapaKyle @NapaSportsNews
Getting off to a fast start can make winning a game quite easy.
In Wednesday’s Big Game, that’s what the Vintage girls’ basketball team did as they cruised to a 64-19 victory.
The Crushers (10-8 overall, 2-2 Vine Valley Athletic League) were able to gain a 17-point edge in the first quarter thanks to their full-court press, which flustered Napa (1-16, 0-4 VVAL).
It was something Vintage head coach Joe Donohoe was pleased to see from his squad.
“Well, our plan was to come out, and we knew they were gonna come out with a lot of energy,” he explained. “It’s a Big Game, there’s a lot going on, and we just needed to withstand that initial surge. And we wanted to be the team that set the tone with energy and defensive pressure. And that’s about as good as we can play full-court right there.”
One of the main beneficiaries of the full-court press in the game was senior guard Liv Hedberg. She finished the night with 11 points and a rebound, while also making 1 of 4 shots from the line. She also did most of her damage in the second half in this one.
“You know, always in the second half is where my energy just peaks,” Hedberg explained as to what changed for her in the second half. “In halftime, I kind of always self-talk and just encourage myself more to keep driving, and just be quick on my feet.”
The senior also has plenty of reason to be thrilled with the victory. It now means they swept Napa on the road this season.
“As a senior, it feels good,” Hedberg said of winning her final two games at Messner Gym. “In mean, this is my last time playing in this gym and the juniors on our team some of the time this is their first. So it feels good to win as a team.”
Leading the way for the Crushers was Leire Riestra. The junior center finished the game with a high of 15 points and also grabbed 5 rebounds. She also 4 of 6 free throws.
Rachel Galvin scored 8 points and corralled 4 rebounds. Gianna McDaniel finished with 6 points, all of which came in the second half. Lizzie Qui scored 5 points and had a rebound. Kayla Cleveland also scored 5 points and grabbed a rebound. Katie Gibbs scored 3 points and corralled 4 rebounds, Ella Pridmore scored 3 points and had 2 rebounds, and Eden Wood scored 3 points and brought in 5 rebounds.
Napa was led by Sofia Tinnon. The senior finished the night with a team-high 9 points and 4 rebounds. She converted 3 of 6 free throws as well. Julie Ramirez converted 4 of 5 free throws and grabbed 4 rebounds. Isabella Jasso-Nelson scored 4 points and had a rebound. Nadia Ali-Musa made both free throws and grabbed 4 rebounds.
“Julie Ramirez played her heart out,” Napa High head coach Taylor Willis said. “She played super hard and I’m super proud of that.”
Vintage will be back in action on Friday night at 7 pm when they visit American Canyon. The last time the teams met American Canyon beat Vintage 53-38 on January 3rd. As for Napa, they have the league bye on Friday but will host Granada-Livermore on Saturday at 1 pm before hosting Sonoma valley next Monday night at 7 pm.
