Revenge on the basketball court can be sweet.
For the La Center girls, winning a 1A Trico League co-championship made it sweeter.
With a 65-49 home win Thursday, La Center avenged a 25-point loss to Kalama on Jan. 13.
La Center and Kalama finish tied atop the Trico League at 9-1. A coin flip will be held at halftime of the La Center boys game Friday to determine seeding at the district tournament. Both teams will host games Feb. 13.
“This was a big game for them, having lost by 25 last time,” La Center coach Herm Van Weerdhuizen said. “It was just a complete team defensive effort. I couldn’t be prouder of them.”
La Center’s defense was at its best in the second half. That’s when La Center pulled away after leading 31-29 at halftime.
Katie Whitten led the way with 20 points, eight steals and seven assists. Andrea Griffee added 19 points, including three 3-pointers in the third quarter.
Shelby Vermuelen added eight points and eight rebounds.
In addition to defense, Van Weerdhuizen said avoiding turnovers was vital La Center had just 10 Thursday compared to 25 during the first meeting against Kalama.
Parker Esary’s 24 points led Kalama, which is No. 6 in the Associated Press Class 1A poll released Wednesday. La Center is No. 8.
LA CENTER 65, KALAMA 49
KALAMA — McKenna Laroy 0, Khloe Clark 2, Mackenzi Badger 0, Jaden Howard 0, Kaelyn Shipley 12, Haley Bannister 9, Parker Esary 24, Jazzmine Rowland 2. Totals 20 (0) 9-16 49.
LA CENTER — Katie Whitten 20, Molly Edwards 0, Bethany Whitten 0, Taylor Mills 2, Shelby Vermuelen 8, Rachel Moudy 5, Paige Stinson 4, Andrea Griffee 19, Lacey Grotte 0, Ashley Denny 7. Totals 23 (9) 10-16 65.
Kalama 16 13 10 10—49
La Center 22 9 16 18—65
JV — La Center won.
