MOUNT SHASTA – The Mount Shasta Lady Bears and the Del Norte Lady Warriors met three times in barely over a week, with Del Norte winning two of the three games. In the second round of the Yreka Invitational, it was Del Norte with a crushing win, 40-15.

The Lady Bears rebounded with a 34-25 win over Del Norte in the first round of the Holiday tournament. The Lady Bears also avenged a loss to the Yreka Lady Miners in the Yreka Tourney, beating Yreka in the second round of the Holiday Tourney, 36-30. The two wins gave the Lady Bears the top seed going into the Holiday Tourney championship game.

Del Norte defeated Yreka in the play in game to reach the championship against Mt. Shasta.

In a contest that was close from beginning to end, Del Norte led 10-6 at the end of the first quarter.

The Lady Bears opened the second quarter with a 9-1 run to take the lead. Rachel Abbott hit a free throw to start the run. Amanda Amesbury followed with three throws, to tie the game, 10-10. Amesbury dished to Jeana Michels for a bucket and the lead, 12-10. After a Del Norte freebie made it 12-11, Kismet Prosper hit a hoop, to make it 14-11. She later made a free throw to complete the run, with the Lady Bears up 15-11.

Del Norte, however, out scored the Lady Bears 7-2 for the remainder of the quarter, and led 18-17 at the half. At the end of three quarters, the Lady Warriors had a four-point advantage 32-28.

Trailing 34-30, Mt. Shasta battled back to even the contest. A basket by Taylor Hansen made it 34-32. Kendra Woodglass put back a rebound to tie it, 34-34.

Del Norte answered with a trey, 37-34. Amesbury countered with a 3-ball, 37-37. Woodglass added a freebie to give the Lady Bears the lead 38-37, with two minutes to play in the game.

Del Norte scored the next four points on two free throws and a bucket, to lead 41-38, with 22 seconds remaining.

With :02 showing on the clock, Michels was hammered on a 3-point attempt, giving the Lady Bears a chance to send the game to overtime. Michels missed the first shot, but hit the second to make it 41-39.

Mt. Shasta coach Danny Hansen called time out to go over the situation. With just two ticks left, the only play was to intentionally miss the free throw and hope for a quick put back. Michels executed the intentional miss perfectly and the ball went to an area that allowed a Bear rebound. But Del Norte snag the ball, as time expired, securing the 41-39 win and Holiday Tourney championship.

Amanda Amesbury led the Lady Bears with 11 points. Kendra Woodglass had 9, and Taylor Hansen scored 8 points.

Amesbury and Hansen were selected for the All-Tourney team.

The Lady Bears (3-5) are off until December 29, when they host the Tulelake Honkers (4-4).