Once again, the Tigers made moves early on that they weren’t about to roll over for the visiting Bullpups in Tiger Stadium as they trailed Hanford 7-0 at the half. Unfortunately, Hanford got its offense in gear and outscored Lemoore 35-6 in the second half to win the WYL and a spot in the CIF Central Section Playoffs.
Hanford scored its only first-half touchdown at the 3:50 mark of the first period to take a 7-0 lead. Lemoore got the back, withstood a pair of penalties and had the ball on the 50-yard line when the Bullpups’ picked off a Tiger pass at the 34-yard line to end the threat.
The Tigers defense stopped Hanford again on its next possession and after a Bullpup incomplete pass, the Tigers took over on their own 34. A quarterback sack pushed the Tigers back to the 18-yard line where moments later they had to punt the ball.
The half ended with the Bullpups ahead 7-0.
This is the second time in three years the Tigers have failed to make the Central Section playoffs. They lost to Dinuba High School a year ago in the first round and in 2015, under Shannon Pulliam, the Tigers won their first-round playoff game against Sanger before losing to Ridgeview 45-19.
Lemoore’s volleyball team struggled to earn a spot in the Central Section playoffs, compiling a 14-14 overall record and a 3-7 WYL record. Lemoore lost its last six of seven matches, including its first-round playoff match against Exeter High School, a 3-0 decision on the Monarchs home court.
A review of the Exeter’s record reveals a team that won 32 matches, losing only 10 and easily capturing the Central Sequoia League with a perfect 12-0 record. Exeter will play WYL champion Redwood in a Tuesday (Oct. 20) match in Exeter.
In Thursday’s match, the Monarchs got past Lemoore 25-15, 25-10, 25-13 to advance.
Lemoore almost failed to make the playoffs, losing their final three matches, but still have an even record, qualifying them for post-season action.
Lemoore’s talented tennis squad, a team that finished second in the WYL at 7-3 and was 15-7 overall took on Tulare Western in the second round of the Central Section playoffs and in a disappointing finish, lost to the Mustangs 7-2.
The Tigers earned a second-round bid by easily beating Hoover High School in the playoffs’ opening round 9-0. The Tigers were indeed dominant in their opening round match played at Lemoore High School on Oct. 18.
Lemoore’s closed match was the No. 1 singles match featuring the Tigers’ Madison Kuntz who won 6-3, 7-5 to begin the playoff shutout. Aliana Cabuhat, Paige Clarke, Jenny Paez, Christina Nguyen, and Sophia Gregorio all easily won their singles matches.
In doubles, Paez and Nguyen won 8-4 while Marissa Salazar and Louelle Braga edged out their opponents 8-6. Hannah Raber and Ashley Phelps easily won 8-0 to complete the sweep.