Height plays factor in Linfield's win over Santa Rosa girls

Kadence Bernard scored 12 points for the Rangers before leaving with an injury. (Photo by Rick Rowell)

By Paige Mendez, Correspondent

The Santa Rosa Academy girls basketball team finished up nonleague play with a 56-30 loss to Linfield Christian at home Thursday night.

After an early run from Linfield Christian, Santa Rosa had a 12-point deficit to overcome after one quarter, which wasn’t helped by their going 0 for 5 from behind the arc. Meanwhile, the Lions had shots dropping from all around the court and from all but two players (of the total 10) who saw time in the game. By halftime, Linfield was up 34-14.

“I think the hardest part was their height. Last time we played them they were intimidating,” said head coach Michael Jenkins of the effect the Lions squad had on the Rangers. “It was a little challenging, but we figured it out.”

Figuring it out looked like Santa Rosa holding Linfield to just six points in the third quarter -- less than half of any other quarter’s total. But the Rangers couldn’t capitalize on their own end of the court to cut the lead by much.

One player in particular, however, seemed to be finding her rhythm more and more.

Kadence Bernard finished the game with 12 points, 6 of them being from the only three-pointers the Rangers got on the night.

“I am constantly telling her, ‘Just keep shooting the ball, it’s going to go through,’” Jenkins said, adding that she was the difference maker for the team.

But a tough fall after a fight for a rebound in the third quarter had her sitting for the rest of the game. Jenkins said that made it hard for the team because she had been a key part of their gaining momentum in those later minutes.

Although they put up quite the fight, with 42 rebounds to challenge the Lions’ 24, the gap in the score earned early on proved insurmountable.

As a fairly new program for the school, the Rangers’ team has room for growth, according to Jenkins. But from being just a group of girls last year who decided they would give basketball a chance, he said he couldn’t be happier with where his team is now and where he sees them heading.

“I couldn’t ask for a better team; they’re a great group of girls,” said Jenkins. “They come in here every day and work hard. I love my job and love these girls. They came together last year and set out with a mission to make the playoffs and hopefully we can do that.”

Junior Faith Krueger, who put up 6 points and 9 rebounds on the night, is confident in her team’s goal.

“Don’t sleep on us,” Krueger said. “We’re coming back and getting better every day.”

The Rangers will head to face Desert Christian Academy Friday before a two-week break for the holidays.

Summer Grant shoots a jumper for Santa Rosa Academy during Thursday's game. (Photo by Rick Rowell)