The Juneau-Douglas High School girls basketball team scored 62 points in a loss to Ketchikan Friday night.
On Saturday against the same opponent, they scored exactly half of that amount.
After trailing by only one point at halftime, the Crimson Bears (3-7, 2-2 SEC) crumbled under the pressure of Ketchikan’s full court press in the second half, losing 46-31 at the Clarke Cochrane Gymnasium.
“Against their pressure I thought we were a little more indecisive and we had several turnovers in a row that took the winds out of our sails,” JDHS assistant coach Steve Potter said.
Brittany Slick scored 14 points and Ashley Huffine scored 11 points for the Kings.
Cassie Dzinich helped her team’s cause with 10 points. Caitlin Pusich scored seven points, Kiana Potter six and Janae Pusich five.
Juneau’s 15 first-half turnovers didn’t hurt them too much as Kayhi shot the ball poorly to begin the game. After seven lead changes, the Kings went into halftime with a 22-21 lead.
The Crimson Bears’ turnovers spilled over into the second half, but the Kings missed scoring opportunities did not. The home team went on a 13-2 run to begin the third quarter.
Huffine attacked the basket with more energy and made a difficult layup to the right of the basket 3 minutes into the half.
In the following minute, Kaitlyn and Emmie Smith added baskets in the post to give Ketchikan a 10-point lead.
Ketchikan led 38-26 at the end of the third quarter and maintained a double-digit lead for most of the fourth.
“In the second half we were very indecisive on offense,” Potter said. “We need to be a little more confident in our abilities.”
About the only points Ketchikan handed to JDHS were at the free throw line, where they shot a sizzling 17 of 22.
• Contact sports reporter Nolin Ainsworth at 523-2272 or nolin.ainsworth@juneauempire.com.
