Lailani Otuafi, right, advances the ball down the court during Fallon's senior night game against Sparks.
A strong victory is always nice in high school athletics, but it’s even more special when it’s on senior night; the Lady Wave had this during their Tuesday home basketball game against Sparks.
In their last Northern 3A home game of the season, Fallon won 62-9.
“It was a very emotional night,” said senior Zoey Swisher of the game. “It’s sad that it’s over, but another chapter will be beginning soon.”
The Wave’s defense denied the Lady Railroaders on offense. Early in the quarter, Sparks’ Abby Hurtado scored one point on a free throw. Fallon took off from there and three-pointers from Caitlyn Welch and Leilani Otuafi quickly pushed them to 20-1 at the end of the quarter.
Fallon continued its push in the second quarter. Sparks scored two more points from free throws. In the final moments of the quarter, Angie Hurtado made a two-point basket as Fallon doubled its output, 40-5.
The Lady Wave’s defense held after halftime. Hurtado was able to get through with another basket, but Fallon continued to control the boards. The quarter closed 55-7.
The Railroaders were determined to push through Fallon’s defense in the final quarter. The Wave held strong, though Sparks’ Laree Muiello made it past to sink two baskets.
Swisher said the Wave played good defense and improved on their rebounds. Fallon coach Anne Smith said they had too many offensive turnovers and their defense had some transition issues. She said the team was a little off, and it felt like they weren’t in their normal rhythm.
“We didn’t look the way we should have,” she said. “The flow, it wasn’t there … there were too many things I thought ‘what’s going on;’ that was frustrating.”
She attributed the issues to the team’s emotions on senior night and Swisher moving on from the program after the season.
Otuafi and Welch led the Lady Wave with 18 and 10 points respectively; Otuafi also tallied six treys while Welch had five rebounds and three steals. Faith Cornmesser scored eight points but led the team with six rebounds. Swisher scored nine points and Kenna Hamlin had six.
Smith also praised Kaitlyn Hunter for her three rebounds and three steals.
“She did a phenomenal job as well,” Smith said.
Swisher said she felt the team played well. She said they executed their game plan well and are preparing for today’s game in Elko.
“We wanted to work on the little details tonight and just execute,” Swisher said. “I think we executed very well.”
