Monterey builds early lead on way to win over Boyd

By DALE STUBBLEFIELD

Lady Bronco Jennifer Laxton drives to the basket as she is guarded by Lady Wildcat Tiffany Harris. The Lady Broncos dropped their season opener at home Tuesday, 49-32.

Turnovers put the Lady Broncos in a hole early in the first period, as Boyd turned the ball over six times. Monterey scored on its first possession and back-to-back baskets by Jennifer Schlienz put Monterey on top 6-0 with 4:39 left in the period. Monterey’s pressure defense held Boyd scoreless in the period as the Lady Wildcats held a 12-0 lead by the end of the quarter.

Amanda Prater put Boyd on the board with back-to-back baskets, but Rachel Miller nailed a 3-pointer midway through the period and by the end of the half Monterey held a 24-8 lead.

The Lady Wildcats opened the third period with seven straight points before Emily Newby hit from the paint. Newby added two more baskets by the end of the period, but Monterey had extended its lead to 44-20.

In the final period, Prater worked the middle for six points as Alex Porter and Jennifer Laxton added two points each. Monterey slowed the pace of the game in the final four minutes of play but still hit for five points to secure the victory.

For the Lady Broncos, Prater led her team with 14 points. Newby hit for six, Tabitha King added five, Lyndsey King, Laxton and Porter had two points each and Courtney Hard added one point.

Rachel Miller led the Lady Wildcats with 13 points, followed by Rachel Swafford with 12 and Ashley Harris with eight.

The Lady Broncos will be at home Friday night in the Boyd Thanksgiving Classic.