Kenilworth girls unbeaten again

The Kenilworth Junior High Kolts eighth-grade girls basketball team won the North Valley League championship for the second straight year, finishing off an undefeated season with a win over Petaluma Junior High School last week.

The Kolts were 24-0 as while winning the championship as both seventh and eighth graders.

The eighth-grade team had outstanding team chemistry, mixing a core group of returning, experienced players, with the addition of new players, some first year players. The championship did not come easy. The Kolts had to grind out come-from-behind wins in the final two minutes against Herbert Slater of Santa Rosa and Santa Rosa Middle School. Lawrence Jones Middle School in Rohnert Park tested the Kolts in a hard-fought game that went down to the final buzzer.

The Kenilworth Kolts were led by team captains Trinity Merwin, Ashley Casper and Bella Blue. Merwin was outstanding all season, leading the team at the point guard position, and was a force defensively, forcing steals and creating transition baskets. Casper was solid at both ends of the court, distributing the ball on offense and playing solid defensively. Casper hit a few key shots that helped the Kolts cushion their lead late in the game against Petaluma Junior High School. Blue gave the Kolts scoring at the low post, often overwhelming the inside opposition for important put-back baskets.

Kayla Vasquez provided a great weapon defensively, getting her hands in the passing lanes, and causing turnovers consistently. Vasquez came up with important baskets when the Kolts needed them. Brenna Barich was a load to deal with on the defensive end of the court, always playing aggressively, and not giving the offense anything easy. Taty Morrow’s speed, defense and ability to make 3-point baskets made her another player to account for at both ends of the court.

Meghan Bendick did a great job running the offense, always knowing where to go with the ball. Adeline Frantz, a first-year player, was effective clamping down defensively and getting rebounds. Alicia Wiggins came into games late, and gave it her all defensively. Athena Ghaui played solid and consistent basketball at both ends of the court, making key shots. Savannah Sutton was steady on the offensive end, taking care of the ball and running the offense effectively. Alicia Wiggins played a team game, doing a fine job distributing the ball. Lindsay Warner played very well against Petaluma, providing solid defense, and not allowing the offense to get second-chance shots.

The Kenilworth Kolts were led by head coach Dan Sack.