Basketball: Freshman boys top Damonte Ranch

The Douglas freshman boys' basketball team had little problem with Damonte Ranch in the Sierra League opener for both teams Thursday night.

The Tigers walked away with an 89-42 win and led 50-18 in the first half.

"Defensively, we are just doing a great job," coach J.P. Albert said. "The defense has been winning games for us.

"It's funny because in practice, our offense doesn't really do anything because the defense is so tough. Once the games come around, the offense is fine because they've been going up against that defense all week."

Michael Whalin had 22 points, Luis Pina scored 17 and CJ Marcotte had 16 for the Tigers.

Chris Schonian, Colton Dale and Daniel Brady all had solid games defensively.

Douglas is 5-1 on the year heading into this week's State Farm Classic in Reno.

JUNIOR VARSITY GIRLS

Douglas opened its league season Thursday night with a big win over Damonte Ranch. The Lady Tigers used a stifling defense in the second half and balanced scoring to beat the Mustangs 63-20.

The Tigers had four girls in double-figures and five others that contributed in the scoring.

With Damonte playing tough and pulling the game close in the second quarter, the Tigers came alive, making several steals and converted some quick scores to head into halftime at 27-14. Edna Meza sparked the Tigers with six points in the second-quarter run.

After the half, the Tigers came out on fire.

"It wasn't just our scoring in the second half that was impressive, but our defense," coach Dave Pfaffenberger said. "Damonte was able to move the ball in the first half and get some good looks, and make their shots. The seconnd half we just didn't give them a good look at the basket."

The Tigers outscored Damonte 36-6 in the second half. Douglas opened the second half with a full-court press that turned into several quick scores. Megan Michitarian had a great third quarter with 10 points. The Tigers didn't let up in the 4th, using a half-court offense that seemed to score when they wanted to as Melissa Brown scored all 12 of her points in the 4th quarter.

Michitarian led all scorers with 18 points, Brown had 12, followed by Ally Freitas and Edna Meza each with 10.

FRESHMAN GIRLS

Douglas stole a 36-34 win away from Damonte Ranch last week on some late defensive heroics.

Damonte came out blazing, racing out to an 11-5 lead, but Douglas fought back as CJ Baumgartner scored 12 of her game-high 16 points in the quarter to take the lead at the half 22-21.

The lead changed eight times in the second half, but Ne'Jae Jackson and Susie White took charge defensively.

"That was really a key for us," Douglas coach Steve Walsh said. "The Mustangs had some great shooters and we took that away."

Damonte Ranch had a one-point lead and the ball with 11 seconds on the clock when Sara Mangiaracina stole the ball and went in for the basket to put the Tigers up by one.

On the next inbound play, Mangiaracina again stepped in front of the pass for the steal and was fouled to seal the win.

Jackson scored 10 points, Mangiaracina with 6 points and Christy Harvey had four.

Douglas beat the Whittell junior varsity squad 48-31 earlier in the week.

Baumgartner had 12 points, Jackson had 10 and White scored six.

Mangiaracina, Linnette Kenney, Briana Rutherdale and Harvey each had four points and Amanda Soto and Kaitlin Babbitt each added two.

Douglas is now 4-2 overall on the year and 1-0 in league play.