Girls' Basketball: Douglas High defense sparks win over Wooster

MINDEN -- The Douglas girls basketball team got what it needed out of Tuesday night's game against Wooster -- a win -- and will be quickly shifting its attention to fourth-ranked Manogue.

The Lady Tigers picked up a 48-32 win over Wooster, holding the Colts to just seven points in the first half, to improve to 7-4 in Sierra League play on the year.

Douglas needs to win its remaining three games and needs Manogue to lose twice in order to clinch a home playoff game and, perhaps more importantly, avoid powerhouses Reno or Reed in the first round.

"We're just going to keep plugging along and when the season ends, they'll tell us if we have to get on a bus and go somewhere or if we get to stay home and play here," Douglas coach Werner Christen said.

The Lady Tigers held Wooster to just one field goal in the first half, outscoring them 20-7. The Colts, though, came out and outscored the Tigers 17-16 in the third quarter, cutting the lead to 36-24.

"We really liked that way the kids flew around defensively in the first half, obviously," Christen said. "Second half, we didn't do as well. Wooster got in there and made some plays, you have to give them credit for that."

The Tiger offense sputtered to open the fourth quarter as Wooster's defense put together a shutout over the first five minutes. Fortunately for Douglas, the Colts managed two baskets on the other end, cutting the score to 36-38.

"We weren't making great decisions offensively in the second half," Christen said. "We were a bit tentative. We stopped attacking and got too careful. When we do that, we get in little droughts like what we saw tonight."

Douglas' Jessica Waggoner scored a basket with 3:08 remaining to end the scoring drought and after Wooster's Sheila Christie answered with a driving lay-up, the floodgates opened for the Tigers.

Dany Heidt hit a pair of baskets that took away the Colts' momentum and set the Tigers on a 10-2 run to close out the game.

Waggoner finished with 15 points to lead the Tigers while Ally Freitas had 10, Heidt had eight, Taryn Williams had four, Ne'Jae Jackson and Jackie Harper each had three, Bri Burnside had two and Cassie Uhart had one.

Wooster was led by Lauren Miller with 11 points and Christie with eight.

As has become tradition, Douglas celebrated senior night by starting all seniors and sending the team's remaining seniors in as the first two off the bench.

Douglas will be looking to try to repeat its performance in a dominating win earlier in the year over Manogue Friday night, although this time the game will be on the Miners' home floor.

"We have to play much better offensively than we did tonight if we want to be in the game on Friday," Christen said. "It goes back to consistency. We have to have two good days of practice and show up ready to play. Manogue is a lot better team at home.

"I don't want to say they overlooked us that first time, but they were a little surprised by the way we played them. (Manogue coach) Rick Shaw is a good coach and he is going to have them ready to play on Friday."