By Shelley Bennett
Lassen High’s Girls Basketball team is in the hunt for a state title. After coming off a disappointing loss to UPrep in the section championships, the team found out that they earned a bid to the state tournament and will start the journey at home in the Cave on Tuesday, March 1st, (that’s tonight!) at 6:00.
Senior Taylore Somerville says the whole season has been a highlight for her. She appreciates the opportunity to go to sections and says the community send-off on Saturday morning really meant a lot to her and the team.
She has been playing basketball since third grade and says that most of her teammates have been with her since the beginning. Taylor appreciates the fact they are “no drama” and is proud to see how much they have grown from where they started.
“We have won against some big schools,” Taylor recalls. In the paint, Taylore has the most rebounds and blocks on the team.
Katelyn Ernaga, a senior guard, also cites making it as far as they did a highlight of the season. She admits to being disappointed in some of the calls on Saturday and looks forward to a chance at redemption tonight.
With the leadership of captains Somerville and Ernaga, and high scorers Shade Satica and Graceyn Harlan, the Lady Grizz have accumulated a 21-8 record, with seven wins in league play. They outplayed Yreka in the first round of playoffs 76-49, then recorded a win against Pierce High School last Tuesday 79-62.
Satica shined in that game, earning forty-two of the team’s total points, which just might be a school record.
The team is rounded out with seniors Jordan Smith and Kennedy Wharton, juniors Ryleigh Hart, Abby Robles, Faith Murphy, and Sydney Whitlock. At the helm, Coach Jim Ernaga and Assistant Doug Satica provide the basketball IQ needed to be successful.
A hard-fought game against UPrep 50-41 on Saturday ended in a loss for the Lady Grizz but they are hopeful with a second chance in the state tournament. They may even meet UPrep for another contest.
Jessica Larson, former coach, praised the student section for their support over the last few weeks, “They have really been our ‘6th man’.” The Cave has notoriously been a wild and raucous environment for our opponents in the North state, so let’s pack the Pacific Street Gym tonight and show our Grizzly pride.
The Grizzlies take on the Argonaut Mustangs at 6:00. Tickets MUST be purchased online. Here is a link to get yours: https://gofan.co/app/events/564072?schoolId=CA22332
In other sporting news, sophomore Tucker Schall is the first wrestler since Kenny Jones in 2016 to make it to the CIF state tournament in Bakersfield. Tucker came back through the consolation bracket at the NSCIF finals to earn true second and a bid to the state tourney.
Tucker started wrestling when he was four, stopped four years ago, and came back strong in the 2021-22 season. He didn’t place at state but is grateful for the experience and excited for future seasons. Schall earned a 25-5 season record and won several local tournaments. He is the 15-year old son of Kerrissa and Glen Schall.
Remember when news was ‘newsy’? When you read about weddings, family events and engagement announcements in the newspaper? If you have something that might be newsworthy, please submit it to [email protected] and I’ll do my best to include it here in “The Good Stuff.”
