YREKA – The Fifth-seeded Orland Lady Trojans didn’t look like much coming into Thursday night’s NSCIF D-IV quarterfinal playoff game. With a record of 10-14, they had lost twice to Anderson and once to West Valley. The 10-8, fourth-seeded Lady Miners had swept their season series with Anderson, and recently thumped West Valley.

On paper, it looked good for Yreka. On the court, it was a different matter.

Yreka led 13-10 at the end of one quarter. However, the Lady Trojans used a 13-4 run in the second quarter to take complete control of the contest, and lead 23-17 at the half. It was Orland on top 39-23 at the end of three quarter, with the Lady Trojans going on to win 56-39.

The Lady Miner’s top scorer, Carrie Watson, was saddled with foul trouble early, and spent a large portion of the game as an observer from the bench, although she did finish the contest. Without their leader, the Lady Miners had trouble scoring and were never able to find any rhythm on offense.

On the other hand, the Trojans clicked on all cylinders starting late in the first quarter, and never took the pedal off the metal.

Carrie Watson and Jaylene Phillips led Yreka in scoring with 13 points apiece.

Perhaps, the highlight of the evening was a touching farewell from the Lady Miners and Yreka fans to the voice of the Miners, Mark McAllister. McAllister broadcasted football and basketball on KSYC radio for over 25 years, and will be moving south soon. While it was his last home broadcast, McAllister is rumored to have told the radio station that he is open to broadcasting some of the Miners’ away games.