Lady Pintos take Lady Mustangs down

The California High School girls basketball teams traveled to Eldon Tuesday, Jan. 15, where the varsity Lady Pintos came away with a 52-41 win from the Lady Mustangs.

California led 13-8 after one quarter, however, Eldon outscored California 10-4 in the second to pull ahead 18-17 by the half.

After an even 13-13 third quarter, the Lady Mustangs led 31-30. The Lady Pintos used the final frame to make the difference as they outscored Eldon 22-10 to pocket the win, 52-41.

Sydney Deeken finished the night with a double-double to lead California with 20 points and 14 rebounds. Kelsey Roush followed with 10 points.

Eldon was led by Sarah Rhine with 18 points.

California's JV lost 53-38 to Eldon.

California traveled to Westphalia Thursday, where the varsity lost a hard-fought contest to the Fatima Lady Comets, 40-39.

California led 13-12 after one quarter, however, Fatima had pulled ahead 26-25 by the half. The Lady Pintos held the Lady Comets scoreless in the third quarter, 7-0, to pull ahead 32-26 going into the fourth.

With just 48 seconds remaining, California's lead had diminished to just one point at 39-38, and 15 seconds later, the Lady Comets scored a bucket to take over the lead, 40-39. Fatima ended up outscoring California 14-7 in the final frame to take the win.

California was led by Deeken with 25 points. Kamryn Koetting added five.

Fatima was led by Kate Massman with 12 points, while Annie Bock scored 10.

"This was a tough ball game but I'm very proud of our girls," Sangster said. "Our program is based on three things - play hard, play smart and play together. Tonight we played hard. But we didn't play smart in the first half and we didn't play together defensively. You know, sometimes the ball bounces your way, sometimes it doesn't."

California's JV also lost to the Lady Comets, 46-23.

California (13-3) hosted Boonville Tuesday, Jan. 22, however, game results were not available at press time.

The Lady Pintos will host Hallsville at 6 p.m. Friday, which is Hawthorn Bank's "Fill the Gym Night" at CHS. California's varsity boys will also play Hallsville, at approximately 7:30 p.m., following the girls' game.

The Lady Pintos will participate in the Camdenton Shootout Saturday. California's JV will play Bollivar at 3 p.m., while California's varsity will play Bolivar at 4:30 p.m.