Depth carries Skyhawks past Rams in girls basketball

Most girls basketball teams would be in serious trouble if their top two players combined for only three points in the first half.

Silverado is not most teams.

The Skyhawks showed Saturday they’ve got plenty of offensive options.

Sophomore wing Natalie Lainhart scored 17 of her 27 points in the first half to help Silverado pull away for a 56-37 win at Rancho.

“Natalie played the best game in the two years she’s been with us,” said Skyhawks coach Kelli Bray-Mathews. “She used her teammates to get her the ball right back. She created her own opportunities.”

Lainhart also grabbed 10 rebounds as she picked up the offensive slack for usual go-to players Mikayla Thielges and Shea Collins.

With Collins, a junior guard, struggling to find her shot and Thielges, a senior post, in early foul trouble, Lainhart scored 11 points in the second quarter to help Silverado (7-0) build a 28-17 halftime edge.

“Our team works together really well,” Lainhart said. “If someone isn’t scoring, someone else can pick them up. If your shot’s not falling, then you do other things to help your team. That’s what we did.” 

It wasn’t just Lainhart, though.

Freshman wing Alena Evans added 10 points, eight of those in the second half.

“Too many weapons over there. They’re an excellent ballclub,” Rancho coach Rick Campbell said.

Khalia Branch had 10 points to lead the Rams, who had early success with their transition game but had trouble establishing a half-court offense.

“I was pleased with some of the things we did early in the game,” Campbell said. “We’re still trying to jell as a team.”

Silverado forced 26 turnovers and held Rancho to a 17-of-56 effort from the field.

“We just worked together on defense,” said Lainhart.

Stephanie Thompson had 15 rebounds for the Rams (4-2).