Game Highlights 2011-12
Rams Hold Off Wolverines, 90-82, to Grab Regional Semifinal Win
The Wolverines simply ran out of time. Playing against a Fresno City College team that was faster, deeper, and maybe a little better, the Sierra College women’s basketball team roared back from 22 points down midway through the second half before running out of clock in a 90-82 loss to the Rams in the NorCal regional semifinals in Fresno.
The #6 Wolverines trailed the #3 Rams 53-38 at intermission and, while they outscored FCC 44-37 in the second half, the 15-point hole was too deep to dig out of against a Ram team bent on avenging two consecutive playoffs losses to Sierra. The Wolverines (22-9) were powerless to stop the FCC offense in the first as the Rams (27-5) connected on nine three-pointers, including four from Sarina Sayama and three from Tabitha Torres.
It was a different story in the second as the Rams made no treys after the break. Instead, they wore a path to the free-throw line where they were an astounding 31-50 for the game, including 23-37 in the second half. The Rams made no field goals after the 8:48 mark, concluding their scoring with 14 free throws.
What those in attendance will remember, and what will forever be remembered as this Sierra team’s trademark, is the grit they displayed in fighting back and making it a game in the second half. FCC was up 72-52 with 11:47 to go and, for many teams, the game would have become a foregone conclusion. Not for these Wolverines. They would not go away quietly and they nearly made it all the way back.
Victoria Turner was a one-woman show, particularly in the second half, when she was a force of nature, canning 19 points, grabbing improbable offensive rebounds in the land of the giants and burning up the court with her incomparable speed on defense. The sophomore guard concluded her Sierra career with a game-high 30 points. Sasha Brown had 15 points and earned everyone’s respect with her physical play. Morgan Ragan had 10 points in her final game in the Cardinal and White.
Nicole Chapple paced Fresno City with 23 points. Sarah Mendoza had 18 points, while Torres had 16 and Sayama 15 for FCC, which travels to City College of San Francisco for a battle of Rams in the regional final this Saturday.
Turner, Brown, Ragan, Alyssa Emeterio, Kayla Patton, Kalia Whitfield and Kezzia Tragesser played their final games for Sierra Wednesday night. Their contributions to the Wolverine program were immense and their futures are bright. For freshmen Krista County, Raina Loya, Dakota McLarnan, Kayla Reeves, Michelle Walker and Kirstie Williams, next year starts now. Watch out for these Wolverines; they’re looking forward to writing their chapter in the Sierra College women’s basketball history book.
Sat. Feb. 25, 2012
Wolverines Top Taft 71-55 to Advance to NorCal Elite Eight
With 15 minutes to go in Saturday’s regional quarterfinal at Goto/Goldenberg Court in Rocklin, the momentum was all Taft’s and the Sierra College Wolverines looked like they were in danger of pulling defeat from the jaws of victory. The #11 Cougars had all but erased a 39-27 halftime deficit to trail the #6 Wolverines 41-37. Sierra Head Coach Brandie Murrish had seen enough.
In what may have been the most effective timeout in the history of Sierra College basketball, Murrish calmly asked her troops to relax and do what they do. They listened and, before one could say, “road trip to Fresno!” the Wolverines were up by 20, Taft was warming up the vans for the long trip home, and Sierra had escaped with a 71-55 win.
Taft (19-10) eventually closed to within one at 44-43 with 13 minutes left, but Sierra (22-8) then kicked it into gear and went on a 14-0 run to go up 58-43 at the eight-minute mark. Kayla Patton’s three-pointer with four minutes left put the Wolverines up 69-49 and the deal was sealed.
The 14th playoff victory in Murrish’s six years at Sierra will help the Wolverine faithful who packed the gym forget the poor Sierra shot selection and lazy defense that helped Taft get back into a game they had no business being in. What should be remembered is these Wolverines won a game they were expected to win and they did it in the gritty, never-say-die style that has become their trademark. Yes, with fifteen minutes to go, Taft had all the momentum, but Sierra seized it back thanks to a timeout for the ages.
Sophomore post Kalia Whitfield paced the Wolverines with 14 points, 11 rebounds and a statement-making blocked shot midway through the second half that rocked the house. Victoria Turner had 13 points and a handful of steals, but, most importantly, made life miserable for Taft’s standout guard tandem of Summer Webb and Demmi Nunn. “V” covered Webb and Nunn like a designer jacket, clogging the passing lanes and repeatedly disrupting the Taft offense.
Freshman guard Dakota McLarnan had 11 points, including three of Sierra’s ten treys. Kirstie Williams had ten big points off the bench. Sasha Brown was five for five from the line in the second half. Her “and one” with 7:31 to go ignited the crowd and dashed any hope the Cougars had of an upset.
The win advances Sierra to the regional semifinals against a familiar foe, the #3-seeded Fresno City College Rams. This will be the fourth consecutive year the teams have met in the payoffs in Fresno. Sierra pulled out upset wins over the higher-ranked Rams in 2010 and 2011; the Rams knocked off the Wolverines in a controversial, tightly contested regional final in 2009. The Rams (26-5) went undefeated (10-0) to easily win the Central Valley conference.
Tue. Feb. 14, 2012
Sierra Sweetheart Sophs Stomp Beavers for Wolverines’ 20th Win
On a Valentine’s Day evening filled with love for the team’s sophomores playing their final regular season home game, Sierra College completed a season sweep of American River College with a methodical 80-57 romp over the Beavers at Goto/Goldenberg Court. The victory cemented Sierra’s lock on third place in the rugged Big 8 conference, moved the Wolverines closer to opening the playoffs at home, and earned them a 20-win season for the fifth time in Head Coach Brandie Murrish’s six years in Rocklin.
Sierra’s seven sophomores – Sasha Brown, Alyssa Emeterio, Kayla Patton, Morgan Ragan, Kezzia Tragesser, Victoria Turner and Kalia Whitfield – were honored in an emotional pre-game ceremony in front of a thankful home crowd. It was especially emotional for Emeterio, who sustained season-ending knee injuries at the beginning of both her years at Sierra.
Against the Beavers, the sophs – minus Emeterio who was leading the cheers from the bench – accounted for 63 of Sierra’s 80 points. Flashy forward Whitfield led the way with 19 points, thanks to a flurry of great passes from Ragan, Brown, Patton and Dakota McLarnan. Ragan added 12 points, including a breakaway layup in the second half where she was the only person past half-court. Patton had 11 points, while Tragesser continued to be an offensive force off the bench with 10.
Fri. Feb. 10, 2012
Sierra Blasts CRC 81-53 to Drop Hawks Out of Big 8 Lead
For many Sierra players, coaches and fans, Friday, Feb. 10th was a date that was circled immediately after the Wolverines’ disappointing 75-64 home loss to Cosumnes River College on January 17. Going into Friday’s game, CRC was on top of the Big 8 with a 10-1 record, while Sierra, at 8-3, was in third a couple games back. After the game, CRC was left to ponder a conference title that might have been, while the Wolverines relished their payback and looked ready for the upcoming NorCal playoffs.
The outside shooting that was nowhere to be seen in the January game returned with a vengeance against the Hawks. Sierra shot just under 50% from the field for the game, including a devastating 9-24 from beyond the arc. The Wolverines pulled down 43 rebounds to go along with 21 assists and 13 steals on their way to complete domination of the Hawks.
Sophomore guard Kayla Patton was superb as she hit for 24 points, including five three-pointers. Kalia Whitfield had 12 points and 5 rebounds, while Michelle Walker continued her stellar play off the bench with 7 points, 8 rebounds and a pair of assists. Kirstie Williams and Victoria Turner nabbed four steals apiece.
Tue. Feb. 7, 2012
Sierra Tops Delta 69-55 to Sweep Season Series
In a must-win game for both teams, Sierra kept its Big 8 title hopes alive with a wire-to-wire 69-55 win over San Joaquin Delta College Tuesday night in Rocklin. The victory earned the Wolverines (18-8 overall, 8-3 Big 8) sole possession of third place in the bruising Big 8, one game ahead of Delta and two games behind co-leaders Cosumnes River College and Santa Rosa Jr. College with two games to go.
Goto/Goldenberg Court was packed and wearing pink on “Coaches vs. Cancer” night and those in attendance were treated to a rousing, fast-paced game featuring game-long full court presses and fast break offenses from both teams. Sierra jumped out to a quick 11-0 lead before Delta’s press forced Wolverine turnovers to cut Sierra’s lead to 35-29 at the half. The Mustangs (14-13, 7-4) would get no closer.
Kayla Patton’s three-point bomb at the 17:07 mark gave Sierra a 43-30 lead that was extended to 67-47 with seven minutes to go. Back-to-back threes from Morgan Ragan and Patton at 5:54 and 4:56 sealed the impressive win.
Kalia Whitfield’s 15 points led Sierra. Ragan knocked down four threes on the way to her 13 points, while Kirstie Williams and Patton had 9 each. Sasha Brown and Victoria Turner had seven points apiece but, more importantly, provided stifling defense that helped hold Mustang scoring leaders Chezla Self and Anna Nguyen to only 8 and 4 points respectively. Shianne Solomon paced the Mustangs with 16 points.
With the win, Sierra ended Delta’s four-game winning streak and, coupled with their 81-78 win in Stockton on Jan. 13th, gave the Wolverines a rare sweep over the rival Mustangs. The teams have split the season series four out of the last five years.
Tues. Feb. 3, 2012
Sierra Holds Sac City to All-time Scoring Low in 66-18 Win
Sierra earned a season sweep of cross-town rival Sacramento City College with a record-setting 66-18 win Tuesday night at Sac City. The Wolverines seemed to dominate the Panthers from before the opening tip as Sierra raced out to a 28-11 lead at the break before going on a 38-7 second-half run to account for the final margin.
The Panthers were held to a conference-record low (and possibly a NorCal and State low) of five field goals for the game; the 18 total points were also a record low for a game. Dakota McLarnan paced the Wolverines with 13 points, including a trio of three’s. V. Turner had 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 steals, while Kirstie Williams had 11 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Morgan Ragan hit for 9 points and 8 boards. Michelle Walker earned Player of the Game honors for her 8 point, 10 rebound game off the bench.
Fri. Jan. 27, 2012
Sierra’s 17-0 Run to Open Second half Helps Wolverines Bury DVC, 77-53
One can imagine the flies on the walls of the Sierra College locker room at halftime of the Sierra/DVC game were looking for the nearest exit as Head Coach Brandie Murrish “addressed” her Wolverines after an abysmal opening half. Whatever she said worked, as Sierra outscored the Vikings 45-22 after intermission for an important 77-53 win over the Vikings at Goto/Goldenberg Court.
Even though Sierra (16-7 overall, 6-2 Big 8) took a 32-31 lead into the locker room at the break, they were lucky to have the lead. For the first 20 minutes, they were unable to stop Big 8 scoring leader Diane Moore and DVC post player Aleisha Coulter. Moore’s 11 points and Coulter’s 10 accounted for nearly 70% of DVC’s points in the half and, more importantly, it seemed they were able to score at will. Without Kirstie Williams’ 12 first-half points, Sierra would have been in real trouble.
Morgan Ragan’s NBA-distance three to open the second jump-started a 17-0 Sierra run. A 32-31 half-time lead was now 49-31 and the Wolverines were on their way to their sixth conference win. The win’s importance was amplified as Big 8 leader Cosumnes River College was blown out earlier Friday night, 80-50, by SJ Delta. Heading into next Tuesday’s game at Santa Rosa, Sierra finds itself only a game out of first.
Williams 22 points paced Sierra against DVC (8-13, 3-5), while Victoria Turner added 17 and Kalia Whitfield had 10. The Wolverines defense, led by Sasha Brown, Michelle Walker and Kayla Patton, shut down Moore and Coulter in the second half. Moore picked up only six points and Coulter five after the break.
Tue. Jan 24, 2012
22-6 First Half Run Leads Sierra Past Modesto, 98-59
Sierra College was barely holding onto a 26-20 lead with eight minutes to go in the opening half of Tuesday’s Big 8 game against the Modesto Junior College Pirates in Rocklin. In the blink of an eye – well, maybe two blinks – the Wolverines were heading into the locker room with a 48-26 lead. The 22-6 run jump-started Sierra (15-7 overall, 5-2 Big 8) to a blistering 98-59 win over a Pirate team that is far better than the final score indicated.
The offensive fire-works, when combined with last Fridays’ school-record-setting 103-68 win at American River College, represent the highest two-game scoring output in Sierra College history. The Wolverines shot a scalding 55% from the floor, turning 27 Modesto turnovers into transition buckets.
Sophomore Kalia Whitfield paced Sierra with 22 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. Kezzia Tragesser continued to be a force off the bench with 12 points and 6 boards, while Morgan Ragan had 11 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists and a pair of steals. Sasha Brown had a good line with 8 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Kayla Patton contributed 8 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists.
Modesto (11-9, 2-5) was led by Lexy Posz’ 19 points, but it was teammate Janie Myles who really rolled. Myles, the Big 8’s second leading scorer, had 10 points, 11 boards and 3 assists.
Fri. Jan. 20, 2012
Wolverines Set School Scoring Mark, Devour Beavers 103-68
In an offensive explosion for the ages, Sierra College established a new school mark for points in a game with an impressive 103-68 demolition of the overmatched American River College Beavers Friday night at ARC. All 11 Wolverines put points in the book as Sierra bettered the former scoring mark, set against Feather River in 1997, by a single digit.
The Beavers (1-15 overall, 0-6 Big 8) could do nothing to stop Sierra (14-7, 4-2) in the first half – or the game, for that matter – as the Wolverines rolled to a 52-31 halftime lead and then rocked for 51 more points after the break. Sierra made almost as many shots in the game (43) as ARC attempted (54). The Wolverines shot 52% from the field and 82% from the line; they had 14 assists and 23 steals.
Impressive line scores abounded for Sierra. Kalia Whitfield had 19 points and 4 rebounds; Kezzia Tragesser had a career-high 17 points and 6 rebounds; V. Turner had 15 points and a pair of steals; Morgan Ragan had 11 points, 8 assists and 3 steals; Kayla patton had 12 points and 5 assists; Kirstie Williams had 10 points, 5 assists and 2 steals.
Sisters Khaliya and Malika Wilkins were the only bright spots for the Beavers. Khaliya led the team with a game-high 22 points while Malika hit for 17. Malika, however, had an astounding 10 turnovers, while Khaliya was just behind with 6.
Tue. Jan 17, 2012
Sierra Stubs Dew Claw Against Unbeaten CRC, 75-64
The Sierra/Cosumnes River College rivalry has become, as the Hawks have become a force in the Big 8, something to circle on the schedule twice a year. The games used to be of interest primarily because CRC Head Coach Coral Sage was a member of the 1998-1999 Sierra state title team and Sage liked nothing better than throwing a wrench in her alma mater’s conference title plans. It’s not like that anymore. These games are battles, with conference titles and playoff seeding at stake.
CRC came to Rocklin Tuesday night with a one game lead over Sierra, tied with Santa Rosa for the Big 8’s top spot. They left with a two-game lead over Sierra and an unblemished 5-0 league record. The Wolverines were left to ponder their future with a 3-2 Big 8 record and questions about their motivation, defense and offensive execution. This was a game that if Sierra coach Brandie Murrish was asked about her team’s execution, she might respond, “I’m all for it.”
Sierra (13-7 overall, 3-2 Big 8) was down 39-25 at the half, went the last 4:09 of the first half without a point, didn’t score its first second half point until the 16:36 mark, and generally let Hawk sophomore Aundraquay Quinnine do whatever she wanted in both halves as she rolled to a game-high 27 points, including four big threes.
Victoria Turner was the only Wolverine with double figures with 11 points. Kayla Patton, Morgan Ragan and Kirstie Williams had 9 points each.
People are already circling Thursday, Feb 10 on their calendars. That’s when Sierra travels to Elk Grove to take on the Hawks (14-4, 5-0). The guess here is the Big 8 title will be on the line.
Fri. Jan. 13, 2012
Sierra Wins 81-78 Thriller at San Joaquin Delta
The Sierra/SJ Delta rivalry grew even more intense after Friday night’s game in Stockton. The Wolverines found themselves down 62-52 at the 9:04 mark and seemingly headed to a second Big 8 loss before mounting an improbable rally to pull out a heart-pounding 81-78 win.
Except for a brief run in the first half, Sierra (13-6 overall, 3-1 Big 8)was outplayed by a relentless Mustang (9-11, 2-2) squad. A 43-36 Delta lead seemed larger, in part because the Wolverines were outhustled in all aspects of the game in the opening stanza. Whatever Sierra talked about in the locker room at half time didn’t work as they found themselves down by ten midway through the second. And then, the grit and determination that may become the trademark of this year’s team decided to show up.
Victoria Turner’s bucket at 5:37 gave Sierra its first lead since the 9:32 point of the opening half. Delta regained the lead, 73-70, at 3:23, and led 78-75 with 1:51 to go. They would not score again.
Kayla Patton’s bucket brought the Wolverines to within a point at :57 and then Kalia Whitfield scored to put Sierra in the lead for good with :26 left. Two clutch free throws by Morgan Ragan at :16 sealed the win.
Kayla Patton’s 22 points paced a Wolverine team that had five players in double figures. Ragan had 18, including two big second-half threes. Sasha Brown had a great defensive game and contributed 12 points. Kirstie Williams chipped in with 10 points, including a pair of threes in the second, and V. Turner also had 10.
Tues., Jan. 10, 2012
Sierra 89, Sacramento City 43
In what many observers described as an early-season must-win game for the Sierra College women’s basketball team, Head Coach Brandie Murrish’s Wolverines played almost-perfect basketball in pounding outmanned Sacramento City College, 89-43, Tuesday night at Goto/Goldenberg Court in Rocklin.
With the methodical win over the Panthers (2-11 overall, 1-2 Big 8), the Wolverines (12-6, 2-1) exorcised a few of the demons of last Friday’s disappointing 77-65 home loss to defending state and conference champion, Santa Rosa Jr. College. For much of the game against Sac City, Sierra played up to their seemingly endless potential; against the Bear Cubs, Sierra players, coaches and fans were left to ponder the future of this year’s team.
Victoria, “V”, Turner led a Sierra attack that had all 12 Wolverines score at least a point. Turner’s 20 points were followed by Kalia Whitfield’s 18 and Kirstie Williams’ 13 off the bench. Dakota McLarnan drained two big three-pointers early in the second half that helped squelch any comeback the Panthers may have discussed in the locker room during intermission.
The Wolverines displayed the devastating team speed that has become their trademark (Panther players commented after the game that Sierra was the fastest team they had played). In jumping out to a 16-0 lead, Turner (7 points) and Whitfield (6) accounted for 13 points in that opening salvo. Brianna Williams, the Panthers’ leading score and rebounder, paced Sac City with 16 points.
Fri. Jan. 6, 2012
Wolverines Fall to Defending State Champion Santa Rosa ,77-65
There weren’t many Sierra highlights in Friday night’s 77-65 loss to defending state and conference champion Santa Rosa Junior College at Goto/Goldenberg Court. The Bear Cubs toyed with the Wolverines (11-6 overall, 1-1 Big 8) for a half and then outscored their hosts 50-37 in the second to stay on top of the Big 8, tied with CRC, with a 2-0 record.
Sierra’s game plan seemed to be to beat SRJC with a flurry of long-range shots. That may have worked if the Wolverines had hit a decent number of those shots, rather than going 4-24 (15%) from beyond the arc. Santa Rosa (11-5, 2-0)won the game at the charity stripe, going 27-38 compared to Sierra’s 13-20.
Victoria Turner led Sierra’s scorers with 14 points, while Kirstie Williams chipped in 13 (although she went 2-11 from beyond) and Kayla Patton had 11. Sasha Brown had a nice line with 7 points, 9 rebounds and 2 assists; Kalia Whitfield had 8 rebounds to go along with 7 points.
The Bear Cubs were led by returning All-State guard Jen Tsurumoto’s 17 points and 5 assists. Anandi Jiminez had a stellar 15 point, 12 rebound, 2 blocked shot outing, while Ashley Morgan had 9 points, 12 boards and 3 assists.
Tues. Jan. 3, 2012
Sierra opens Big 8 by blasting DVC 77-44
The Sierra College women’s basketball team stormed to a 16-0 lead and never looked back in trouncing host Diablo Valley College 77-44 in the Big 8 conference opener Tuesday night (Jan. 3) in Pleasant Hill.
The Wolverines (11-5 overall, 1-0 Big 8) held the Vikings (5-9, 0-1) scoreless until the 10:06 mark in the opening half and then used a relentless fast-breaking offense, featuring a pair of three pointers each from Victoria Turner and Kirstie Williams, to forge a commanding 37-15 halftime lead.
Kayla Patton led the Wolverine offense, which saw every team member score, with a game-high 18 points. Turner and Williams hit double figures with 14 and 13 points, respectively. Sierra was 30-41 from the free throw line, including a 21-26 second half.
The impressive defensive effort was led by Sasha Brown, who held Diane Moore, the Big 8’s leading scorer at 21 PPG, to only a single bucket before intermission. Moore hit for 12 in the second half, but the Vikings were down by at least 30 by then.
Coach Brandie Murrish’s Wolverines return to Rocklin Friday (Jan. 6) for the Big 8 home opener against defending state champion Santa Rosa Jr. College (10-5, 1-0). The Bear Cubs opened defense of their conference championship with a 57-32 win at Sacramento City College on Jan. 3.
Note: Sierra highlights and opinions expressed are those of Matt Folsom, Basketball Operations Assistant, and are intended for fan education and game enhancement only.
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