COLUSA, CA (MPG) –With no seniors on its roster, a young RedHawk squad has experienced some growing pains in the early going this season and as a result finished fourth at its own Jim Ernst Classic, which ran from Dec. 4-6.
Colusa opened the 37th rendition of the tournament with a 56-37 win over Forest Lake (Auburn) as Peyton Miller poured in a game-high 20 points, while Marlie Berry and Baylee Guizar chipped in with nine apiece.
Tournament team.
However, things got more difficult the following evening against a Sutter team whose aggressive defense and ability to move the ball more effectively resulted in a 49-54 setback for the RedHawks.
Credit does go to Colusa however for making a ferocious run in the fourth quarter that saw them close the 11-point deficit.
For the second night in a row Miller dropped in 20 points, while Guizar and Leyla Avera finished with eight and seven points respectively.
Rounding out the tournament, the RedHawks fell 33-50 to Durham on a night where the ball just didn’t fall and the Trojans controlled the glass.
Miller, who received an All-Tourney nod, and Abby Coronado each went for 10 points.
Also participating at the Ernst Classic was Pierce, who lost 26-42 to eventual champion Weed in the first round and 16-42 to Fortuna in the second contest before coming away with a 35-20 win over Willows in the game for seventh place.
Rylie Delepierre had 10 points to pace the Bears against Weed, Destany Martinez, an All-Tournament pick, ended the game against Fortuna with eight points.
No statistics from the win over Willows were made available.
Preseason play continues this week for both teams as the RedHawks (1-4) hosted Gridley on Dec. 9, then made their way to Arbuckle for the Natalie Corona Invitational, where the Bears (3-2) also open play on Dec. 11.