LADY WOLVES: Freshmen Powers, Pace guide Bonanza girls past Tech

Alyssa Powers and Diamond Pace are the only two freshmen on Bonanza’s girls basketball team.

The backcourt duo played like veteran leaders Monday.

Powers and Pace triggered a fourth-quarter rally that led the Bengals to a 29-26 win over Tech in the first round of the Lady Wolves Holiday Tournament at Basic.

“Games like this for two freshmen, it’s exciting,” Bonanza coach Dan Savage said. “This type of tournament is good for them to grow as players. They’re going to make their mistakes, but they’ve put us in position to win all four of our games. As freshmen, that’s great to have.”

Bonanza (2-2) advanced to meet Marina (Calif.) at 9 a.m. Tuesday in the second round.

Powers scored five points and Pace two in the fourth quarter, in which Bonanza outscored Tech, 10-3.

Powers sank a baseline layup to give the Bengals a 27-25 lead with just under 4 minutes remaining.

Pace then had a steal and layup for a 29-25 lead, before a Powers steal killed Tech’s ensuing possession as time dwindled.

Tech (1-5) had a chance to tie the game with a 3-pointer after inbounding the ball with 1.8 seconds left, but the Roadrunners threw the ball away.

“I was happy that we could put some good pressure on them and force turnovers with our man-to-man defense,” Savage said.

Powers, a 5-foot-6-inch wing, poured in 17 points for Bonanza.

“I always tell (Powers), 'I’ve got big plans for you,’” Savage said. “Just stick with offseason workouts. Her and (Pace) both have a lot of potential, and they want to get better.

“Alyssa is just a threat. She can shoot from outside, drive to the hoop, make her free throws and can handle pretty well. As time goes on, she’s going to be one of our big guns.”

Senior center Jessica Gallegos had three points, nine rebounds, three blocks and three steals for the Bengals.

Savage expressed joy for his returning players getting to advance in a tournament after suffering through an 0-22 season last year.

“It’s especially good for the kids from last year,” he said. “No matter how you get (wins) is a good start to the season for us.”

Bonanza’s late surge spoiled a highlight-reel game by Tech senior wing Kristena Wilson, who had 14 points, 15 rebounds and two steals.

Basic 48, Chaparral 30 — Freshman Dana Deloney had 17 points, five rebounds and two steals as the Wolves downed the Cowboys.

Kailai Brantner had 10 points and four steals for Basic, which sprinted to a 24-9 lead early in the second quarter.

Tichina Savoy scored 13 points for Chaparral. Unique Wilson supplied six points, seven rebounds and two blocks for the Cowboys.

Boulder City 53, Steveston-London (Canada) 34 — Mallory Bird had 14 points and eight rebounds as the Eagles cruised to the win.

Kaitlyn Daly had 11 points and three steals for Boulder City, and Karlee Koopman tallied 10 points and nine rebounds.

Anmol Mattu paced Steveston-London with 21 points.

Faith Lutheran 42, Valley 28 — Julia Benko had 13 points, Kelsey McCourt scored 10 and the Crusaders rolled past the Vikings.

Kennedy Wharton paced Valley with 12 points.

Las Vegas 67, Rancho 39 — Shomari Harris scored 22 points to lead the Wildcats by the Rams.

Matti Ventling had 18 points and Shaleea Butler scored 13 for Las Vegas, which outscored Rancho 43-14 in the middle quarters.

Darje Martin led Rancho with 13 points.

San Clemente (Calif.) 69, Green Valley 41 — Frankie Pinto hit five 3-pointers on her way to 17 points as San Clemente cruised past the Gators.

Rianna Rudolph scored 12 points for Green Valley, and Angelica Mack had seven points and 12 rebounds for the Gators.

Marina (Calif.) 54, Cheyenne 46 — Lauren Dorame scored 16 points to lead a balanced Marina team past the Desert Shields.

Lajuana Brown scored 18 points for Cheyenne. Brea Thompson had 13 points and Noni Buckins scored 11 for the Desert Shields, who allowed an 11-0 run to start the second quarter as Marina built a 26-16 halftime lead.

Mt. Eden (Calif.) 41, Desert Oasis 40 — Angelica Leano scored 12 points as Mt. Eden rallied past the Diamondbacks.

Auburn Smith had eight points and Samantha Tso scored seven for Desert Oasis, which couldn’t hold a 26-14 halftime lead.