| 1/29/2007 10:29:00 AM | Email this article • Print this article |
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| Lady Spartan Sammi Gentile never takes her eye off the basket as she moves in for a shot Friday night during a Tri-Peaks League contest against Peyton. The Salida freshmen, who returned Friday after nearly two weeks off from a knee injury, scored a career high 37 points. Photo by Denise Ronald
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Gentile scores 37, Spartan girls win big
by Denise Ronald
Mail Staff Writer
Lady Spartan basketball fans were thrilled to see freshman Sammi Gentile return to the court Friday after a nearly two-week hiatus and with good reason.
Gentile netted a career high 37 points on 16 two-point buckets and five of 11 from the line, leading her team to an 84-60 Tri-Peaks League mauling of the visiting Peyton Panthers.
Peyton players and coaches weren't happy to see Gentile take the court. Before tip-off, Peyton head coach Jennifer Gregg was overheard saying, "I thought (Gentile) was out injured. This is not good ... we're not ready for her."
Gentile appeared to slightly favor her injured right knee the first period, but was back in top form by the end of the game.
The first three quarters were something of a seesaw battle, but Salida pulled ahead in the first period and remained in the lead during each subsequent quarter.
Unable to shut down Gentile or other Spartan double digit scorers - Lexi Dominguez, 14 points, and Martina Granzella, 13 points - Peyton concentrated on its offensive game.
Panther Michelle Irwin led Peyton with 19 points, Jackie Canaday tallied 12 and Wendi Denson netted 11.
Spartans dominated the fourth quarter, using their strong press to force Peyton to the outside.
With Granzella scoring 10 of her 13 points in the fourth and Gentile putting up 13 points, Salida outscored visitors 30-12.
Although Gentile dominated Spartan offense, all her teammates who got time on the court scored at least two points.
Now 9-3 overall and 4-3 in league play, Salida girls teams will begin the second half of the league season this week with home games against the Florence Huskies.
C team girls will take the court at 4 p.m. followed by the varsity and junior varsity games at 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. respectively.
Score box
Peyton varsity girls, 60
Christian 0 2-2 2, Little 3 0-0 6, Stapp 1 2-2 4, Denson 4 3-6 11, Canaday 5 0-0 12, Irwin 6 3-4 19, Lancaster 3 0-0 6. Totals: 22 10-14 60. Three-point goals: Canaday 2, Irwin 4. Fouls: 21. Fouled out: Little, Denson, Mockerman.
Salida varsity girls, 84
Baker 2 0-0 5, Wilcoxson 1 1-2 3, Gentile 16 5-11 37, Mart. Granzella 4 2-6 13, Young 1 0-0 2, Me. Granzella 2 0-0 5, Mari. Granzella 2 1-2 5, Dominguez 6 2-3 14. Totals: 34 11-24 84. Three-point goals: Baker 1, Mart. Granzella 3, Me. Granzella 1. Fouls: 16: Fouled out: none.
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