By GEORGE KUNKE
Micheala Huber fired in 19 points to lead Willapa Valley to a 64-53 victory over visiting Adna Saturday.
“Our girls played very well tonight,” Willapa Valley head coach Melissa Aust told the Herald. “We ran the floor when the fast break presented itself. We made quick adjustments when (and) where needed. We broke their full court zone press with ease, and executed offensively. This was very much a team win and we play our best when everyone is contributing.
“Michaela played a tough game, possibly her best so far this year with 19
points, nine boards, took two charges, and finished some tough shots down low.
“Brooke Harden played well off the bench tonight, maybe her best game this
season also,” Aust added. “Morgan Walker shot 4 of 4 from the floor and also had a solid game.
“I thought we played strong and made smart decisions tonight,” Aust continued. “Defensively, we played well, although we let Adna's Gilbertson and Elliott hit a combined 6 of 7 from the 3-point-line in the fourth quarter. We had a short period of time where we didn't locate their shooters quick enough in that last quarter.”
Karli Friese tallied 16 points and Lauren Friese added 11. Morgan Walker and Brooke Harden scored eight points apiece.
The teams were tied 10-10 after the first quarter before Valley erupted for 22 second quarter points while holding Adna to 10. Valley took a 42-28 lead into the fourth quarter. Adna won a high-scoring fourth quarter (25-22).
Willapa shot well from the floor at 52 percent on 28 of 54. Adna was 19 of 44 for 43 percent.
Lady Vikings 43, North Beach 32
Karli Friese (14) and Lauren Friese (11) combined for 23 points to fuse Willapa Valley past North Beach 43-32 last Tuesday (Jan. 15) at Tenoski Gym in Menlo.
Valley’s defense put the clamps on the Lady Hyaks – limiting them to 15 percent shooting (7 of 47). The Lady Vikings shot 34 percent (19 of 56). Valley was in front 10-6, 16-14, and 34-21 at the quarter stops.
Michaela Huber put in eight points and took down eight boards and Brooke Harden had two blocks for Valley.
Valley committed 16 turnovers.
“We just didn't play to our potential, didn't execute any offense, and had
trouble getting things going,” Coach Aust told the Herald. “Delacruz got 11 of 23 points from the line.
Huber led the Lady Vikes off the glass with eight rebounds, and she also had two steals and took a charge.
The Friese cousins both stole the ball three times and Karli also took a charge.
Valley improved to 7-2 in the Pacific league and 10-6 overall, while North Beach fell to 3-6 in the Pacific League and 8-8 overall.
Willapa hosts Northwest Christian Friday and visits South Bend Saturday.