BASIC TOURNEY: Foothill holds off Moapa Valley in girls tourney

Foothill’s girls basketball team has a bit more spring in its step this year.

And a bit more confidence in its abilities, too.

The Falcons, who spent most of last season learning lessons and coming out on the wrong end of the score, are a different team this season.

Instead of wondering how they might lose, the Falcons are finding ways to win. The most recent example came Saturday when Foothill made just three second-half field goals but held off Moapa Valley 48-40 in the opening round of the Lady Wolves Holiday Tournament at Basic.

“We put a lot of work in over the summer,” second-year coach Keith Starr said. “They understand my system better now, and they’re playing well together.”

Foothill improved to 7-3, giving the team two more wins than it had last season.

Alysse Thummel, a junior guard, made all three of Foothill’s second half field goals — all 3-pointers — and scored 15 of her 17 points in the second half.

“Alysse did a good job for us,” Starr said. “Our point guard played well for us.”

The Falcons led 26-23 at the half but played solid defense, limiting Moapa Valley to 17 second-half points and a total of 16-for-41 shooting from the field.

Brigitte Rigon added 11 points and 11 rebounds for Foothill, which played without junior Mercedes Starr, one of the team’s top players. Mercedes Starr was not injured and is expected to return to the lineup on Monday, when the tournament resumes.

“It’s good to know we have people who can pick up the slack when someone’s out,” Coach Starr said.

Caley Dunlap led Moapa Valley with 12 points. Jessica Waite scored 11 and Shilo Parashonts 10 for the Pirates.

Desert Pines 46, Alameda (Calif.) 39 — Andrea Jefferson scored 15 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as the Jaguars overcame 30 turnovers to beat Alameda.

LaBrea Walker added 10 points for Desert Pines. Clarissa Davis grabbed 10 rebounds for the Jaguars.

Colony (Alaska) 72, Bonanza 63 — Colony made 28 of 46 shots from the field to hand the Bengals their first loss of the season.

Shirley Pitts led Bonanza with 26 points and 10 rebounds. Christin Figgins added 13 points for the Bengals.

Boulder City 58, Steveston (Cananda) 51 — Jessie Forrester scored 14 points for the Eagles, who built a 36-17 halftime lead and held off Steveston.

Caiti Forrester added 11 points for Boulder City.

Mount Eden (Calif.) 40, Basic 38 — Mount Eden rallied from a 28-25 deficit after three quarters to nip the host school.

Michaela Thomas led Basic with 20 points. Marquichea Burns added 14 points for the Wolves.

Denver East 69, Canyon Springs 34 — A 21-6 run in the second quarter sent Denver East on its way to an easy win.

Diamond Broadus led the Pioneers with 10 points.

Monte Vista (Calif.) 82, Shadow Ridge 46 — Naiveen Rasheed scored 21 points for Monte Vista, which never looked back after taking a 23-9 first-quarter lead.

Cheyana Slocum led the Mustangs with 17 points. Elisha Hensey scored 13 for Shadow Ridge.

South Torrance (Calif.) 51, Cheyenne 32 — South Torrance took a 19-4 first-quarter lead on its way to the win.

Taryn Hicks led Cheynne with 12 points. Sabrina King scored 10 for the Desert Shields.