RAYMOND — A shakedown cruise for a new group of Montesano girls basketball players went smoother than expected.
Four players scored at least nine points as the Bulldogs trounced similarly inexperienced Raymond, 61-31, in a non-league girls basketball opener Tuesday night at Raymond.
Having graduated their top six players from a four-time league championship team, the Bulldogs entered the campaign as a distinct unknown quantity.
But they received contributions from several of their newcomers in this contest.
Junior guard Lexi Lovell, the only Bulldog with significant varsity experience, topped Monte’s balanced attack with 15 points while handing out four assists.
Freshman forward Zoee Lisherness tallied 14 points and nine rebounds while 6-foot-2 sophomore post Zoe Hutchings added 10 points and nine boards.
Returning to basketball following a year’s absence, senior Samantha Stanfield came off the bench to add nine points and three assists. Haylee Perkinson was also effective in a reserve role.
It wasn’t a surprise that the quick Bulldogs wreaked havoc with a pressing man-to-man defense. They had a hand in 36 Raymond turnovers, turning several into transition baskets.
More unexpected was Montesano’s sharp ball movement. The Bulldogs found the open player — both on the break and in their half-court offense — with regularity, although they didn’t always convert close-in opportunities.
“Our sharing the ball was amazing,” Monte coach Julie Graves said. “I thought the kids passed the ball and found the open person really well. Once they got out there and started playing, they played really well together.”
If the Bulldogs lacked varsity court time, Raymond may have been even less experienced. Senior guard Makenna Williams, who led all scorers with 19 points, was the lone returning starter from last year’s state-qualifying 2B team.
Senior standout Karlee Freeman, who excelled in basketball as a freshman and sophomore before missing her junior year with a knee injury, is not turning out this season to focus on her track career. She recently signed a track letter of intent with USC.
It didn’t help Raymond’s cause that Williams sat out most of the first quarter after drawing two fouls in the opening two minutes.
She scored the game’s opening basket, but the Bulldogs responded with the next 15 points to take command. Lovell’s 3-point shot from the right wing erased Monte’s only deficit and Hutchings added three close-in baskets during the run.
The Gulls committed 22 of their turnovers in the first half.
“Our plan is to get better every game,” Raymond coach Jason Koski said. “When other teams press us, and they will, hopefully we can take another step in terms of being confident with the ball.”
Junior guard Katie Granstrom led Montesano playmakers with five assists.
Koski cited the reserve play of freshman post Hannah Miller.
The Gulls open Pacific League play Thursday at Willapa Valley. On Friday, Montesano travels to Eatonville.
Montesano 17 15 15 14 — 61
Raymond 4 6 12 9 — 31
Montesano (61) — Granstrom 3, Hutchings 10, Grubb 2, Lovell 15, Lisherness 14, Stanfield 9, Perkinson 6, Hatcher, Miller 2, Mittleider, Ekerson. FG — 27-74 (.365). FT — 4-6.
Raymond (31) — Williams 19, Mora 4, Harland, Warnstadt, Silva, Quintana 3, Souvannavanh 5, Miller, Stepp. FG — 11-49 (.224). FT — 5-8.
