Colusa depth sinks Pierce

Tuesday night's match-up between the Colusa and Pierce high school girls basketball teams was decided shortly after the singing of the national anthem, but at least Pierce fans were treated to a very welcome sight in the person of senior Elise Nunez, who sang a spirited rendition in uniform. Along with the Pierce colors, she was also sporting a large brace on her right knee, which she injured back on Dec. 11 in the Pierce Tournament.

After testing the knee during pre-game warm-ups, Nunez took the floor for the tip-off, but left it just as quickly, walking gingerly to the bench after her first shot attempt.

Then it was off to the races for Colusa, who never trailed in the contest and ran away with a 50-26 victory.

Katie Mobley connected for eight points in the opening frame, as the sophomore true-center left her footprints in the yellow paint of Pierce's key, hitting all four of her baskets from close range. Meghan Foster added six in the first quarter, scoring a hoop off an inbound pass, finishing off a steal and drive with a lay-in, and dropping a pair of free throws as Colusa opened up a 15-4 lead.

The Redskins poured it on more in the second period, getting putbacks from Mobley and Lexi Kraft, and lay-ups from Foster and Rylee Kampf. Pierce was only able to answer with Alison Ornbaum's deuce off glass, as the Colusa lead ballooned to 25-6.

Mobley kept the Pierce offense honest with a pair of monster blocks on successive possessions; the loud "thwack" ending any speculation as to whether she had gotten all ball. The Bears' Sara Nunez was not intimidated, however, as she sparked a modest rally with the last eight Pierce points of the period, making it 27-14 at halftime.

"I thought Sara Nunez took over in the second quarter," said Colusa coach Dak Kalisuch of her eight-point outburs. "We started shutting her down in the second half."

The Redskins contained Nunez to just a pair of buckets in the second half, with her basket in the third quarter being the only one Pierce had to show in a 15-2 period.

With a comfortable cushion, Kalisuch was able to plug-and-play throughout the second half, a move that paid dividends. "We had the chance to get a lot of players in, and we moved the ball quicker in the second half, getting people some good looks."

Foster finished with a team-leading 15 points for the Lady Redskins, with Mobley on her heals with 14. Caroline Meyers added nine, with Rylee Kampf going for five off the bench, along with Dana Mahorney (5), and Kraft and Kayla Cunha, each with two.

Sara Nunez led Pierce with 13. Ornbaum and Ashley Flood each helped out with four.

Colusa took its record of 11-9 (3-2 Sacramento Valley League) with them onto the home floor Friday against Durham. Next week's games are Tuesday at Willows and Friday hosting Rio Vista.

Pierce (2-12, 0-5 SVL) traveled to Rio Vista Thursday. They play at Durham Tuesday before a Thursday home date with Live Oak.

Junior varsity

Emily Mobley scored 15 points for Colusa, with Cheyenne Rogers also in double figures with 14, and Paige Townzen chipped in seven as the Redskins held on for a 50-49 win.

Craig Purcell is sports editor for Tri-County Newspapers. Contact him at 824-1036 or cpurcell@tcnsports.com.

Colusa 50, Pierce 26

Colusa 15 12 15 8 -50

Pierce 4 10 2 10 -26

Colusa (50): Foster, 15; Mobley, 14; Meyers, 9; Kampf, 5; Mahorney, 3; Kraft, 2; Cunha, 2

Pierce (26): S. Nunez, 13; Ornbaum, 4; Flood, 4; Salud, 3; Granados, 2