Warrior girls fall 44-32 at Oregon tourney

Del Norte Warriors girls varsity basketball head coach Buzz McCulloch knew coming into Monday’s game that his team had to be prepared and ready to play against a top-tier opponent.

While McCulloch was pleased with the final quarter, where his squad outscored their opponent 14-3, the rest of the game did not turn out as he had hoped.

At the third annual Bandon Dunes Holiday Invitational basketball tournament in Bandon, Ore., the Warriors fell to the undefeated Blanchet Catholic Cavaliers of Salem, Ore.,  44-32.

While down as much as 20, the Warriors were able to play well in the final quarter to lose by 11 points.

“We needed it to happen sooner,” McCulloch said about the burst in scoring and defense his team discovered in the fourth period. “We weren’t ready to play at the start (of the game), and they got on us quickly.”

To begin the contest the Cavaliers pressed the Warriors, who could not get going on offense as they turned the ball over countless times, McCulloch said. Against a good team like Blanchet the turnovers certainly hurt his team, he said. By the end of the first quarter Del Norte was down 17-7 and trailed 28-13 at the half.

Junior Emma Card had another solid performance in the post and led the team with 15 points. Lynn Vance, Sydney Benson and Taylor Cleland each scored four points for Del Norte.

The Warriors fell to 2-4 for the season. Del Norte had all of last week off as they prepared for the Bandon tournament.

Today, Del Norte will play in the consolation bracket starting at 3 p.m. The tournament concludes on Wednesday.