Lady Bulldogs win Benson tourney

The Douglas Lady Bulldogs won the Benson Holiday Tournament Saturday night beating Benson 63-29.

Douglas jumped out to a 17-11 first quarter lead over the Lady Bobcats. In the second and fourth quarters the Lady Bulldogs outscored Benson 30-8 coming away with a convincing championship win.

Karina Avechuco, Veronica Barraza and Aleen Nunez each scored 14 points to all lead Douglas in scoring. Janella Frantzeskakis contributed nine.

“The girls are hitting on all cylinders,” Douglas’ coach Clint Hill said. “We have scored over 60 points a game the last two with 10 3’s in the championship game and seven in the game prior.”

Avechuco made All-Tournament, Hill said adding only five girls were chosen by tournament officials.

“We could of had three girls easy with Nunez and Barraza both averaging 15 points,” he said. “We’ve had 20 3’s in three games. I am very proud of the girls’ defense. It was a great team effort.”

Douglas began the tournament beating Tanque Verde 44-34 on Thursday, Dec. 6.

Douglas led 10-7 at the end of the first quarter and used a 14-5 second quarter run to take a 24-12 halftime lead.

Avechuco led Douglas in scoring with 18 points; Barraza followed with 15.

“The girls played a good game,” Coach Hill said. “We were able to play all of the 15 players we took. … The defense was tenacious.”

On Friday, Dec. 7 Douglas faced Greenfields Country Day School 67-39.

Douglas led 18-9 at the end of the first quarter and 28-16 at the half. In the second half the Lady Bulldogs outscored their opponents 39-23 coming away with a convincing win.

Avechuco led Douglas in scoring with 19 points; Aleen Nunez followed with 17 and Barraza contributed 15.

“The girls played very good defense then we started hitting our shoots after being beat by this team the last two years,” Coach Hill said afterwards. “Their top player still had still had 24 but she had to earn 14 of them from the line.”

On Tuesday, Dec. 4 Douglas hosted Tombstone in the DHS gym and came away with a 57-38 win.

Douglas led 13-10 at the end of the first quarter and 31-21 at the half. A 13-3 third quarter run gave the Lady Bulldogs a comfortable 44-24 lead heading into the final period.

Barraza led Douglas in scoring with 23 points this game. Laura Hurtado had nine and Avechuco eight.

The Lady Bulldogs will be at home against Bisbee on Thursday before hosting Cholla on Friday.

Junior varsity

Douglas’ JV squad beat Sahuarita 33-20.

Nancy Rodriguez led Douglas with 14 points, three rebounds, four steals and three assists; Jocelyn Vasquez had seven points, 18 rebounds and three steals; Johanna Jimenez six points and two rebounds; Jessica Quinonez three points, five rebounds, four steals and two assists and Crystal Zamora three points, three rebounds, two steals and four assists.

On Dec. 1 Douglas beat Willcox 45-22.

Zamora had 15 points, two rebounds, three steals and four assists; Rodriguez six points, four rebounds, three steals, three assists; Vasquez five points, eight rebounds, two assists Ruby Valencia four points and one rebound; Quinonez three points, four rebounds; Andrea Lugo three points, four steals; Alondra Gonzalez three points and Jennifer Alvidrez and Caroline Curiel each had two points.

On Dec. 4 the Douglas JV’s beat Tombstone 37-17.

Quinonez had 10 points, six rebounds and five steals; Rodriguez nine points, four rebounds, three steals, four assists; Vasquez 16 rebounds, three steals; Vanessa Moreno six rebounds; Zamora four points, seven rebounds, three steals, six assists and Andrea Lugo and Jennifer Alvidrez each had four points.