Prep girls’ basketball: Whitney wins rivalry game; Lincoln into top 10; Folsom on top
The only team in The Bee’s Top 20 with double-digit losses is Whitney.
The Bee’s rankings aren’t standings, but power rankings. Who would beat whom if they played a game? The Wildcats during the preseason played a brutal schedule before starting Sierra Foothill League play earlier this month.
Whitney moved up to No. 13 this week after a 59-45 win over crosstown rival Rocklin. Star sophomore Harper Peterson had a game-high 22 points and senior Alli Brustman had 14.
“Friday was a lot of fun,” Whitney coach Sydney Gatson said. “We had a great vibe at Thursday’s practice and we carried that confidence to the game. Just a great team win with 10 players scoring and a tremendous defensive effort. We got off to a hot start in the first. … So many contributed in a huge way.”
Whitney started the season 11-5, but after a 0-4 start to SFL play, the team hit a roadblock. Gatson relied on her two senior captains Tess Fernandez and Brustman for leadership for her young team.
“After a strong 11-5 start and confidence riding high, we were hit with some adversity to start the new year and that led to some growing pains,” Gatson said. “But we didn’t let it break us, and instead it made us stronger. Crazy to think only three of our players have ever experienced a full varsity high school season. It’s a grind both mentally and physically, and the last two years of Covid have only magnified that.”
She added, “Our two captains have been incredible leaders for this young squad. Their positivity, work ethic and strong leadership have reinforced the culture of our program.”
Folsom wins battle of top-ranked teams
In a battle of The Bee’s top-ranked teams in front of a packed house, No. 1 Folsom beat second-ranked Oak Ridge 42-37 last week.
Folsom senior Makayla Jackson had a game-high 12 points. Freshman Jada Topou had eight and Chelsea Ching had seven.
The Bulldogs came into the weekend at 18-0, but lost their first game of the season to Bay Area powerhouse Archbishop Mitty 68-39.
Lincoln surge
For the first time this season, Lincoln has entered The Bee’s top 10 after wins over Oakmont and Nevada Union.
The Zebras have won 11 games in a row and their last loss came to Whitney on Dec. 18. Lincoln has been led by junior Katie Leeth, who is averaging 20 points and eight rebounds. Senior Madison Barr-Zeltvay is averaging 10.8 points.
Lincoln is off to a 6-0 start in Foothill Valley League play and have key games against Placer and Rio Linda this week. After spending most the past decade at the bottom of the league, the Zebras have the inside track to win a league championship.
The Bee’s Top 20
Records entering Monday
1. Folsom 18-1
2. Oak Ridge 15-5
3. Del Oro 17-3
4. McClatchy 9-4
5. Laguna Creek 14-2
6. Vista del Lago 13-2
7. Vanden 13-3
8. Christian Brothers
9. Colfax 16-3
10. Lincoln 18-2
11. Antelope 11-4
12. Granite Bay 14-8
13. Whitney 12-11
14. Rocklin 10-8
15. Monterey Trail 11-5
16. Grant 13-5
17. Bear River 15-0
18. Dixon 14-3
19. Cosumnes Oaks 12-6
20. Marysville 15-3
Bubble teams: (in alphabetical order) Del Campo (9-8), El Dorado (15-7), Franklin (8-11), Inderkum (8-10), Rio Linda (12-2), Pioneer (12-6), Placer (11-8), St. Francis (9-7), West Campus (2-0), Yuba City (11-5).