GIANTS IN SPOTLIGHT OF DRAMATIC OPENER
Redwood freshman keys victory in section playoffs
Redwood High freshman Kitty White has finally gotten comfortable with being selfish.
When the Giants needed her most, the 5-foot-10 forward scored a career-best 25 points to spark Redwood's 57-48 home victory over Washington of Fremont in the first round of the North Coast Section Division II girls basketball playoffs on Wednesday night.
The Giants (17-11) trailed by nine points at halftime and fell behind 32-22 early in the third quarter before White took matters into her own hands.
“When we got down at the half I was like I don't want to lose this game so I turned it on,” said White. “I changed my mindset. I decided to attack more — be a little bit more selfish in a good way.”
The win earns sixth-seeded
Redwood a date at third-seeded Miramonte at 7 p.m on Saturday. Miramonte defeated Hayward 63-28.
The Giants had to rely on everything they learned en route to a fourth-place finish in the tough MCAL to subdue No. 11 Washington from the Mission Valley Athletic League. The Huskies (11-13) built a 29-20 halftime lead behind the hot shooting 5-8 guard Jordan Yamaguchi, who finished with a game-high 27 points.
Yamaguchi, the niece of Olympic gold medalist figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi, poured in 14 second-quarter points before the Giants called on defensive specialist Maya Saibel to do her thing. Redwood also got defensive
help from Ingrid Houtkooper to slow down the Huskies.
“Maya is used to that,” said Redwood coach Zach Borello. “She had to guard all-league players Carly Amborn, Gracyn
Lovette and Hannah Golan. When I told her to guard Yamaguchi she knew what that feels like. It's nice to go through our season and have that experience.”