Lady Tigers Go Down Fighting to Vacaville Christian

Well, 25 regular season games, and 5 post season matches, and basketball is finished at the Wilbanks house. Lucy and her team mates went down fighting hard to a team from Vacaville last Tuesday night. Very cool that we got to play in our home gym. The game was pretty close, and if we could have made a few more free throws, and layups we would have beaten them. But....then we would have had to drive down to East Palo Alto (4 hours at least) and definitely get our butts kicked! So...this was actually a very good way to finish a great year for Lu! Below is my article for the Portola Reporter.

The Portola Lady Tigers basketball team lost at home to the Vacaville Christian Lady Falcons on Tuesday March 8, 50 to 57. It was the first round game of the California State Championships. The Falcons are the Sierra Delta League runner-ups, and  are ranked 42nd in California Division V. Portola, Mid-Valley South League Champion, is ranked slightly lower at 47. The game promised to be a barn burner, and the fans were not disappointed.

Both teams came out hard and aggressive in the first frame with their trapping full court press defenses. The Falcons got the better of the defensive pressure forcing 11 turnovers by the Lady Tigers in the first period. Most of these turnovers translated into points for Vacaville. However, the Cats managed to keep pace, starting the second act behind by just one, 10 to 11. The Tigers kept having trouble holding onto the ball in the second quarter, as the Falcons continued to swoop in on errant passes. After 16 first half turnovers, the Purple and White trailed by 9 at the break: 18 to 27. The Lady Tigers came out strong in the third stanza. In spite of repeated turnovers, Portola fought back by turning up their own defense, and dominating both the defensive and offensive boards. By mid way through the third period the Cats had pulled to within two buckets. However, it didn't last long as the Falcons continued to make short runs, capitalizing on purloined passes, and an occasional uncontested three pointer, to finish the quarter with a comfortable lead of 29 to 39. The Tigers were not ready to concede however, and pulled to within three several times during the fourth quarter. Finally, with about one and one half minutes left to play, the Cats were forced to start fouling in a last ditch attempt to catch the Falcons. However, Vacaville's free throw shooting was almost perfect as the game clock inexorably ticked down. The Lady Tigers kept attacking up to the last second as Senior Guard Bailey Holt drained a three point rainmaker to cut the deficit to 7 points at the final horn. The Portola girls closed the book on their last game of a long and successful season on the short end of a 50 to 57 score.

Leading the scoring for the Lady Cats was Sophomore Emma Briggs tallying 18, Senior Anna Roach netting 9, Senior Ellie Kibble notched 6, and Junior Lindsay Compton contributed 5. In the battle of the boards Briggs snatched 12 rebounds, while Senior Lucy Wilbanks wrestled away 10, Roach gathered in 8, and Junior Marissa Wehrman and Compton collected 6 each. "We had a great run this year" said Coach Matt Compton. "This is a special group of girls, and I have really enjoyed working with them."

The Tigers are losing 5 seniors to graduation this year. These girls have been playing together since the fifth grade, and have really bonded on the court. Captain Bailey Holt, made plays at the point for the Tigers all season. Holt was the Lady Cats second most effective thief, picking opponents pockets 80 times in 30 games. She also finished number 5 in scoring, netting 130 total points. Co-Captain Lucy Wilbanks led an extremely strong bench for Portola. Wilbanks was tough and effective under the glass, leading the team with 171 rebounds, and playing all 30 games. Offensively, Wilbanks contributed the fourth highest point total for the Tigers, racking up 142 total counters. Center Anna Roach battled injuries early in the season, but fought back to finish strong as number two in scoring with 186 total points. Roach finished with the second highest team rebounding total, frustrating opponents by grabbing 163 boards. Ellie Kibble anchored the Tiger's wing, and finished the season with 113 points. Kibble also nabbed 50 steals from opponents, and dished out 25 assists to her team mates. Center Camry Housel came off the bench making many crucial contributions to the team over the course of the season. Housel made numerous key plays both offensive and defensive. Against Los Molinos at home, the Tigers were struggling until Housel sunk 4 of 6 from the field, grabbed 5 rebounds and 3 steals to turn things around. "Next year we have a lot of good talent returning" said Compton. "I am sure we will be very competitive, but we'll sure miss these senior girls!"

Well, for sure I will miss watching my senior girl battle away on the court. I have some introspective basketball thoughts, but I'll save those for another post.

That's All!!