Lady Wolfpack comes up short against Lady Knights

DAYTON–After beating the Lady Knights of Walla Walla Valley Academy on their home court in the season opener, the Lady Wolfpack could not repeat on the home maple, falling 49-28 to WWVA Friday, May 28. Columbia-Burbank handed the team a sound 63-38 defeat the night before in Burbank.

Dayton-Waitsburg played Tuesday at Mabton (results to appear next week) and hits the court next Tuesday, June 8, for a rematch with River View. Thursday, June 10, DW visits TriCities Prep and the next night hosts Columbia in the final home game and Senior Night, June 11.

The Lady Wolfpack were "sluggish" against Walla Walla Valley Academy, said Head Coach Tamira Culley. "We had a mediocre first half but stayed within two at half," she said.

The Lady Knights held an 11-9 lead after the first quarter and both teams scored eight in the second stanza for a 19-17 difference at the break.

WWVA's 12-point third quarter grew the lead to six points and the Lady Knights finished by winning the fourth quarter 18-7.

"The second half proved more of a struggle on both ends of the court," Culley said. "We weren't up to playing back-to-back games."

WWVA 49, DW 28 (5-28)

DW 9 8 4 7-28

WWVA 11 8 12 18-49

Dayton-Waitsburg (28) Forney 5, Andrews 4, Kilts 2, Seney 16.

WWVA (49) Stepper 6, Stantellano 11, Browning 23, Smith 4, Scully 4, Cueto 1.

Dayton-Waitsburg trailed by 10 points at halftime in its contest with Columbia's Lady Coyotes. The third quarter was a draw with both teams scoring 17, but the dam broke in the fourth. Columbia went on a scoring tear, outpacing DW's Lady Wolfpack 18-3 for a solid 63-38 win.

Unfortunately, Claudia Benavides was injured in pre-game warm-up drills. In previous contests, she and senior post Sadie Seney teamed up for 25 to 35 points per game.

"We played Columbia Burbank pretty tough for three quarters," Culley said. "We hit the wall in the fourth and let them pull away. Seney continues to the lead her team with strong numbers."

Columbia 63, DW 38 (5-27)

DW 4 14 17 3-38

CB 7 21 17 18-63

DW: Forney 6, Andrews 5, Tupling 2, Davis 3, Seney 22.

CB: Dyer 6, Stancey 20, Kinsey 12, Jacobo 20, Jamison 2, Curtis 1, Talley 2.

TriCities Prep shot the eyes out of the hoop and never looked back on Wednesday, May 5, winning 72-30.

The Lady Jaguars jumped to a 21-2 lead after the first eight minutes, piled on another 16 in the second quarter to lead 37-10 at halftime.

"TCP has a great program with a deep bench," Culley noted. "All but one of their 10 teammates was able to score. They forced a lot of turnovers for us, and turned them into too many quick baskets.

"We had a better second half and they played hard until the end," she said.

TCP 72, DW 30 (5-25)

TCP 21 16 22 13-72

DW 2 8 13 7-30

DW:  Forney 4, Andrews 8, Tupling 2, Seney 16.

FT: Seney 5.

3's: Andrews 2, Seney.

10 fouls, 23 rebounds, 35 turnovers.

TCP:  Landrum 2, Brander 12, K. Chang 11, Smith 4, Balcom 6, Boothe 6, Martinez 14, H. Chang 5, Potter 12.

FT: Balcom 2, Martinez, H. Chang.

3's: Brander 2, K. Chang, Martinez, Chang, Potter 2.

8 fouls, 29 rebounds, 12 turnovers.