Carson girls use teamwork to defeat Hug

Nicole Scott and Andrea Hoff combined to score 32 points as the Carson High girls basketball team opened its Sierra League season with a 51-26 victory at home against Hug on Wednesday night.

The Senators (1-0, 6-7) pitched a first-quarter shutout to grab a 9-0 lead and then they broke the game wide open with a 21-5 run through the third quarter.

Give credit to solid defense and a lot of teamwork, according to coach Alana Williams.

"I thought our defense was what got us going," Williams said. "I was happy. They are starting to play like a team now. We're getting a lot more players involved, and that's important."

In all, 10 players scored for the Senators. And there were contributions from various sources during a game-breaking 28-4 run that bridged the third and fourth quarters.

Hug (0-1, 4-3) only trailed 18-12 after Kanisha Jones scored in the opening minute of the third quarter. Hoff answered immediately with a layup, assisted by Rosella Nunez. Hoff banked in another layup moments later, this time assisted by Scott. Then it was Hoff on a putback. Scott popped in a soft 10-foot jumper, assisted by Kelli Weyrick. Carson's halfcourt press paid off when Nunez and Scott collaborated on a steal, with Nunez feeding Scott for a layup at the other end. Nunez picked off a pass and passed to Weyrick, who knocked down her shot from the right corner. And Hoff went inside to convert a three-point play, assisted by Sinead McSweeney, as the Senators pushed their lead to 38-15 at the end of the quarter. Carson's biggest lead was 46-16 after Briana Dodge hit a pair of free throws early in the fourth.

"We had real good movement in the third quarter," said Nunez, a junior guard. "Everyone was touching the ball and we were getting good, quick passes that were leading to good shots and layups."

Scott scored six of her game-high 17 points in the third. Hoff had 11 of her 15 in the same period.

Felicia Ladson and Jones scored eight points each to lead the Hawks.

"This was a great way to start league," Nunez said. "Now we've got to keep up the intensity."

Keep in mind, this is just one game.

"We've come a long way since the start of the year," Williams said. "And we still have a long way to go."

Contact Dave Price at dprice@nevadaappeal.com or call 881-1220.