Heartbreak at Golden Eagle Arena: Ladies fall to Fresno City College in tourney final 75-73

After 4 hard-fought periods, and managing just 18 of 30 free throws, Fresno City’s Natalie Avadis calmly sank two pressure-packed free throws with just 17 seconds left to extend the Rams’ lead to just 74-71. Avadis, who scored 9 points in the game, only had 2 free throw opportunities and she made the best of it and helped to insure her team a win. She was also named to the All-Tournament team along with Lemoore’s Kim Alfors.

Fresno City’s Jasmine Black, was named the tourney’s MVP.

West Hills’ dominant player, Michelle Brown, did her best to keep it close. In addition to her 20 game-high 20 points, she calmly hit on two free throws with just 3.3 seconds left to draw her team to within one at 74-73. Fresno’s Heaven Lee hit a free throw in the final seconds to account for the final score.

The game was nip and tuck throughout. Despite Brown’s prowess beneath the basket and Jordan Lassiter’s 16 points the Eagles were unable to enjoy much more than a 4-point cushion, that coming late in the third period in a back and forth game that say the two teams trading baskets.

The Eagles went up 55-51 on the strength of a Brown bucket and led the Rams 55-52 at the third period break. West Hills last lead was at 58-56 early in the final period, but the ladies still managed to hang close and even tie Fresno City well into the final minutes of play.

At times the Lady Eagles performed brilliantly, hitting open players and feeding Brown with inside passes that were quickly converted into points. Lassiter was impressive from the perimeter, many of her points coming on short jump shots that managed to hit just net.

The Lady Eagles, despite missing out on an opportunity to beat Fresno City for the first time ever, will face the Rams at least two more times in conference action. West Hills next action is January 6 at Porterville College in the first Central Valley Conference matchup for the Golden Eagles. With the loss West Hills fell to 11-5 on the year.