Ark Valley News - VCMS 7th-graders win league tourney

The league tournament-winning seventh-grade basketball team from Valley Center is (front from left) Chloe Martens, Riley Ranzau, Alex Barbour, Carlie Claussen, Ellie Shank, coach Brianna Reyes, (back from left) Elana Schmelzle, Kait McDonald, Sophia McNeil, Amber Haden, Kassie Kinniburgh, Abbigail Wolf and coach Kaitlin Woellhof.

VCMS 7th-graders win league tourney
By The News staff
Last Updated: February 19, 2015

With the Pioneer League's "A" team tournaments being played at Valley Center Middle School, it was fitting the host school would wind up playing in both championship games. Even more fitting was that one VCMS team came away victorious.

Kassie Kinniburgh hit the game-winning shot with just seconds to play, as the seventh-graders eked out a 31-29 victory over top-seeded Goddard. It was Valley's 12th win of the season against four losses.

Hoping to avenge a lop-sided loss to the Lions earlier in the season, this game was just as even as the final score would indicate. Valley trailed 10-4 after the first quarter but rallied in the second to tie the game 17-all at halftime. The Hornets eased in front 23-21 after three quarters and made that slim advantage hold up through the fourth quarter for the win.

"The girls came out strong tonight and played with great intensity," Hornet coach Laura Jordan said. "They played spectacular defense and it was the reason for our success."

Kinniburgh led the Hornets with eight points, while Ellie Shank and Riley Ranzau played well overall, scoring seven points each. Elana Schmelzle played excellent defense and performed what Jordan called "a lot of dirty work" in addition to scoring five points. Rounding out the scoring parade for Valley Center was Abbigail Wolf, who played some valuable minutes and defended against one of Goddard's top guards while tossing in four points.

"These girls play hard and work hard all the time," Jordan said. "The coaches were very pleased in their hard-fought win because there isn't a team more deserving."

Eighth grade

Trying to even their season record, the eighth-graders also played the top seed, Augusta, in their championship game. Unfortunately, the Bluejays took control in the second half and won 40-22. The Hornets ended with a 7-9 mark.

"Augusta is a very strong team with a strong post," Jordan said. "We played well the first quarter, but struggled with hitting shots and converting steals, so our momentum didn't last. We struggled coming out in the third quarter, and that sealed the win for Augusta."

Tied at 7 after one quarter, Augusta took an 18-12 lead into the locker room at intermission. The Hornets could not keep pace in the second half, as Augusta outscored them 22-10.

Zayda Perez played well and scored 14 points to lead Valley. Alyssa Turner added three points, Emily Breault and Kirsten Stanhope two each, and Aysia Arrowood one.

Jordan was proud of the improvement and growth these girls have shown during the last two seasons.

"They came from last year with a record of 4-11 to playing in the championship game of the Pioneer League tournament," she said. "They are good athletes with a lot of potential. I'm looking forward to seeing them continue to grow up at VCHS."