The home court was a favorable place for Escalon this week, as the varsity Lady Cougars basketball team defeated Ripon Christian and Hughson in league play this week.

Hosting Ripon Christian on Tuesday night, Jan. 10 by a 42-38 final, prevailing in a tight contest.

“Jenelle Anderson led us with 12, followed by Alyssa Strock with 10,” said head coach Joseph Dalpogetti. “We let them hang around in the first because we got whistled for 12 fouls. They converted nine of 13 free throw attempts.”

Escalon made a couple of runs in the second half, but foul trouble kept them from putting the game away.

“Both times we had to sit Jenelle Anderson, Shelby McCune or both due to foul trouble and RC would climb back in,” Dalpogetti said.

Both eventually fouled out, but Priscilla Nowling scored in the final minute to give Escalon a two-possession lead, sealing the win. Haley Boyd had three three-pointers in the first quarter to get the game off to a good start.

“Natalie Gonzalez had an all-around solid floor game,” added the coach.

Against Hughson on Thursday night, it was a 49-25 victory, the host team taking control early and never letting Hughson mount much of a threat.

Escalon was up by a 12-7 margin after one and extended the lead to 22-12 at the half. Outscoring Hughson 15-7 in the third, the host Lady Cougars enjoyed a 37-19 edge after three. They doubled up Hughson, 12-6, in the fourth for the 49-25 final.

“Shelby had a big night, which was nice to see as she has been riddled with foul trouble as of late,” Dalpogetti said. “She had 22 points and 12 rebounds.”

Anderson added 10 points and a handful of assists.

Entering this week at 3-1, the varsity girls were slated to travel to Hilmar on Tuesday, Jan. 17 after The Times went to press and host Mountain House on Thursday.

JUNIOR VARSITY

Escalon’s JV squad got a win against Riverbank in earlier season action, taking on and defeating the Lady Bruins by a 47-28 final in the Jan. 3 contest. Alexa Gomez paced the team with 22 points, Leila Phillips added 10 and Katie Beall chipped in with six. The JV girls also defeated Ripon Christian in a game on Tuesday, Jan. 10, coming away with a 53-40 victory. Leading the way was Gomez with 16, Hannah Boyd with 15 and Phillips with six.

They then came up against a tough visiting Hughson squad and fell in the Thursday, Jan. 12 contest by a 46-18 final.