Ranger cagers dump Santa Clara Saints
by Misty Volaski

Last Friday was a big game for Nordhoff's varsity girls' basketball team. A win would mean the Rangers would qualify for playoffs, while a loss would end the season.
The fact that it was Senior Night only made their 75-47 win against Santa Clara sweeter. The young team honored its two departing seniors, Lindsey Mezori and Shannon Popp, by thanking them in a small pregame ceremony.
Mezori and Popp finished the last regular game of their high school careers with 20 points each. Sophomore Alison Bennett followed closely with 18 points and 16 rebounds.
The Rangers jumped to a huge lead in the first half, 39-12. Coach Ted Cotti called it, "Very impressive, with good intensity."
The key to the win, Cotti said, was Bennett's and freshman starter Sarah Nylander's defense. The two held Santa Clara's top two scorers to a total of only four baskets. Nylander also had five points, five steals, and three assists.
The boys' game, though equal in importance to the girls' game, was a bit closer in terms of scoring. The Rangers beat the Saints last Friday, 57-55.
"This is the first time we have beat them at Santa Clara since 1986," boys' coach Jim Hall said. "It was a great team effort. Our defense was awesome. "
Junior Garrett Stroup led the team with 18 points, six assists, and seven rebounds. However it was his two free throws in the last seconds of the game that brought Nordhoff to the win. Jordan Swift and Scott Nash added 10 and 11 points, respectively, to the Ranger score.
Though the boys' season is over, the girls will go to California Interscholastic Federation playoffs next week.

© 2002 The Ojai Valley News

Back to sports

Back to the news