One of four freshmen on the Sierra girls basketball team, Emalina Latu flirted with a double-double Friday night and led the Timberwolves with 14 points along with seven rebounds on the way to a 45-32 non-league thumping of visiting Livingston.
“High school is really tough and really competitive,” Latu said. “I think the team did well, and it’s all about the team.”
With Latu dominating the paint, Janessa Barnes patrolled the perimeter for the Timberwolves (3-2) and contributed 10 points, six rebounds, five steals and an assist, and she was on a mission.
“We had some unfinished business with them from flag football,” Barnes said. “So, we decided to take that up in this game, and we came into it with high energy.
“A look at the score proves what high energy can do.”
Sierra dominated the boards 39-28 with Alison Cozby (five points) grabbing seven rebounds, Taylor Zalunardo (two points, steal) five, Felicia Cruz-Olenhouse four, and three apiece for Mya Everett (eight points, three steals, three blocks, two assists) and Tessa Zalunardo (three steals).
“I thought we played well,” Timberwolves coach Chris Zalunardo said. “We had a lot of energy on offense and on defense.
“We were able to execute out plays well, and everyone comes on the court and contributes.”
Sierra tallied 20 steals and forced 23 turnovers.
“We play aggressive defense,” Chris Zalunardo said. “And we did a good job doing it tonight.”
Isabella Zazueta of the Wolves (1-3) led all scorers with 15 points and teammate Tatianna Alvarez (six rebounds, three steals, two assists) added eight with a perfect 8-for-8 outing from the free-throw line.
Sierra hosts El Capitan from Merced on Tuesday night at 7:30.
Junior varsity
Livingston 27, Sierra 24
The Timberwoves nabbed two steals in the final 10 seconds but could not convert either opportunity. The Wolves added a free throw with one second remaining.
Sierra’s Noora Kaur scored nine points and Kaylee Diego added six.