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DAYTON–The Lady Wolfpack outscored Walla Walla Valley Academy in overtime to wrest a win from the always-competitive Lady Knights in College Place on May 18, getting the 2021 covid basketball season off to an exciting start.
On the home court Thursday, May 20, it was a different story as DW couldn't contain the Lady Vikings, who spread the threat among five players in double figures, losing 67-38.
At River View last Saturday, the Lady Wolfpack lost 56-45 and against TriCities Prep on Tuesday of this week, the Lady Jaguars prevailed 72-30.
Against WWVA, Dayton-Waitsburg rallied in the second, third and fourth quarters to overcome an 8-2 deficit at the end of the first quarter, tie the game, then outscore the Lady Knights 14-10 in the overtime period.
"It was an exciting first game with an overtime win," commented Assistant Coach Des Jones. "We have a very young team and it was nice to get them on the floor and see what they could do. It was a strong showing from [Claudia] Benavides and [Sadie] Seney.
Senior post Seney drained two three-pointers on her way to scoring a game-high 28 points, and Benavides poured in 16 points to lead scoring. WWVA's S. Browning scored 19.
The Wolfpack outrebounded WWVA 59-27 and made 30 turnovers to WWVA's 16. Fouls were even at 16 for DW and 17 for WWVA.
Against Mabton on May 20, the Lady Vikings were hot from the three-point line, hitting nine of them. Five Vikes scored in double figures on their way to the 67-38 win.
The Wolfpack was cool right out of the gate, making just four in the first quarter against a 15-point run by Mabton.
The lid came off the bucket for DW in the second quarter as Megan Forney, Seney and Benavides popped in three baskets to close the gap 19-10, a difference that held until halftime and a 26-17 score.
The Lady Vikings went on another scoring tear, hitting three treys and five buckets to win the quarter 23-11. Benavides led the charge with four baskets and a free throw, and Seney put in a bucket on an inbounds play.
The fourth quarter was more Benavides and Seney, but Mabton was also hot, hitting two from the arc and six from the field. Benavides had a pair of field goals and Seney hit three.
"Mabton was very effective with their pressure defense and press and was able to force a lot of turnovers," Jones said. "Both teams had a tremendous amount of hustle on the floor, but Mabton shot the ball very well and we had a hard time getting the shots to fall."
At River View last Saturday, the Lady Wolfpack effectively broke River View's pressure in the first quarter and it was dropped by the second quarter, which started with DW leading 16-10. But the Lady Panthers edged ahead by halftime, 27-26 and outscored the Lady Wolfpack in the second half for the 56-45 win.
"We competed very well tonight against a physical team," commented Head Coach Tamira Culley. "We were able to break the press easily and it was removed after the first quarter.
"We are happy with the effort and intensity of this young team," she continued. "Their team chemistry is developing as they have more game minutes together."
Benavides was again a top scorer, counting 15 points. Seney shot well from the arc, hitting three and finishing with 14 points. Adisyn Andrews hit a three and made 10 points.
Turnovers again plagued DW at 25 to RV's 20, but the Wolfpack outrebounded the Panthers 45-40.
River View 56, DW 45 (5-23)
DW 16 10 12 7-45
RV 10 17 16 12-56
DW (45) Forney 2, Andrews 10, Tupling 2, Davis 2, Benavides 15, Seney 14.
RV (56) Gonzalez 21, Contreras 8, Huston 2, Muson 11, Hayes 8, Clayton 6.
DW 50, WWVA 46 (5-18)
DW 2 10 12 12 14-50
WWVA 8 4 12 12 10-46
DW (50) Megan Forney 1, Lesli Gomez 3, Claudia Benavides 16, Sadie Seney 28. Free throws: 14/26-54%.
WWVA (46) Willard 6, Stepper 8, Santellano 5, Browning 21, Smith 6. Free throws: 4/9-44%.
Mabton 67, DW 38 (5-20)
DW 4 13 11 10-38
Mab 18 8 23 18-67
DW (38) Forney 3, Andrews 2, Benavides 18, Seney 15. Free throws: 5/13-38%
Mabton (67) Sanchez 10, Chavez 4, Galarza 1, Bonewell 10, Roettger 11, Moreno 11, Garzon 15, Torres 5. Free throws: 6/8-75%.