Ladylike victories

Mike Hackworth

(Updated: Thursday, February 11, 2010, 2:23 PM)

It was an exciting week of basketball for the Yosemite High School girls team as they extended the team's consecutive league victories record to 63 games with wins over Kerman (2-17, 1-6 NSL) and Sierra (15-6, 4-1 NSL). Along the way, the Lady Badgers broke their own 3-point state scoring record.

Yosemite 90, Kerman 41

On Tuesday Yosemite's game plan was to play the starters for the first half and shoot from the perimeter. But by the end of the third quarter the Lady Badgers had 20 3-point baskets on the scoreboard and the possibility of a new state record for the 3-points scored in a game (21) that Yosemite set in 2006 and that Hanford tied this season.

As word circulated throughout the gym every shot from three point range earned the groans of the fans as the ball missed its mark. With under three minutes remaining on the clock it appeared that the old record was safe.

Yosemite had taken 17 shots at the record but could not get the ball to fall. Until junior Devin Grant came off the bench and from the right corner hit her second 3-pointer of the game tying the record at 21. As the clock ticked down several more shots were taken but none fell.

With less than a minute remaining Grant once again put up a shot from the arc and the school had a new state record. Seconds later Grant put the icing on the cake with her third consecutive trey for good measure and Yosemite had 23 3-pointers on the night.

Junior Sydnee Fipps had her 14th double-double of the season scoring 29 points (seven 3-point baskets) and pulling down 12 rebounds.

Seniors Sienna Gonzales scored 17 points (five 3-pointers), Jenay Herring had 13 points (four 3-pointers), Grant finished with 12 points (four 3-pointers) and junior Amanda Rudd put up 10 points (two 3-pointers). Kerman's Araina Amaro had a double-double for the Lions with 11 points and 12 rebounds.

The girls' JV team defeated Kerman 45-15 earlier Tuesday. Samantha Aceves and Jade Bain scored nine points each.

Yosemite 65, Sierra 29

The Badgers notched consecutive league victory number 63 on Friday when the team hit the road to play at Sierra High School.

Fipps recorded her 15th double-double, scoring 21 of her 30 points in the first half. Fipps also added 10 rebounds in leading the Badgers to a 65-29 win.

Yosemite's bench played most of the second half scoring 19 points in the third quarter. Yosemite also had its lowest scoring output in the fourth quarter -- one point on a free throw. The younger Badgers took only four shots in the fourth.

Herring scored 19 points and added 10 assists for a double-double, Gonzales scored 11 points for the Badgers.

Sierra was led by junior guard Paige Brown who scored 12 points including eight of 16 free throws. Brown also added 13 rebounds for the Chieftains.

Fipps is currently fourth in the state in points scored with 586, which is the most in the Central Section.

Hanford and Yosemite respectively, lead the Central Section in total 3-point field goals.

The Yosemite Girls JV squad went down to defeat 39-18 to Sierra. Shivani Gill scored eight points for the Badgers.

The Badgers return to action Friday, as they play host to the Washington Union Panthers. Game time at the Harry Baker Gym is set for 6:30 p.m.