Eagles host Solano in opening round of playoffs

By Reggie Stiteler
Published: Wednesday, February 27, 2008 5:16 PM CST
Mt Shasta News

By finishing on top of the Golden Valley Conference and clinching a home playoff game, the College of the Siskiyous women's hoops team attained two of its preseason goals this past week.

After claiming their second conference championship in three seasons, the Eagles will host Solano this Saturday at 7 p.m. in Weed.

If it was not for Shasta College, Siskiyous could have won the title outright - or possibly ended a game behind co-GVC champion Butte.

Wednesday of last week, as Siskiyous (23-6, 8-2 GVC) defeated Lassen 86-79, Shasta tripped Butte 90-76, dropping the Roadrunners a game behind the Eagles with one left to play.

This past Saturday, Siskiyous wrapped up their conference season in Redding against Shasta, where the Knights (23-7, 7-3) pulled off a second upset in as many games, defeating Siskiyous 84-78 to drop the Eagles back into a first place tie with Butte at 8-2.

Regardless, the Eagles are headed to the playoffs as a No. 6 seed with a first round home playoff game.

“Things are fine,” coach Powers said, whose squad bookended the conference season with losses, while winning eight straight in between. “We're playing the right people... we're not worried.”

Solano (21-11) enters the playoffs having swept their Bay Valley Conference competition 10-0 as the No. 11 seed.

The winner of Saturday's game will face the winner of No. 3 Sierra (25-6) and No. 14 Chabot (15-14) on the top team's home court.

In Redding on Saturday neither Siskiyous nor Shasta played really well, Powers said. The Eagles landed just six of 31 three-point attempts while the Knights converted 11 of 42 from beyond the arc.

But Shasta grabbed 14 offensive rebounds to get extra shot opportunities and take a 34-20 halftime lead.

Siskiyous' attempt at a second half comeback never gained enough momentum as the Knights won their sixth straight game.

“It really wasn't our night,” Powers said. “Our energy wasn't where it has been.”

Karlee Myers led Siskiyous with 16 points and Crissy Watts notched 14.

Harris' triple double

Siskiyou guard Amanda Harris scored a triple double at Lassen Wednesday of last week with 10 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in the Eagles 86-79 victory.

Myers and Arness each had strong games netting 31 and 24 respectively in the Eagles' eighth straight win, a game they led by 13 at the half.

Heading into the playoffs, Siskiyous matched their 8-2 GVC record from last season when they finished one game from first place.