KINGMAN - Right around the time seniors Lindsey Reed, Tesla Morgan and Dominique Hale of the Kingman High girls basketball team were born, the Ford Motor Co. renamed the LTD the Crown Victoria. But it was L-T-D who combined for 62 points in the Lady Bulldogs' season opener in Lake Havasu City Monday in a 72-40 win over the Knights.
"Believe it or not, I thought it would be nice to have all three score 20," KHS coach Danny Gonzalez said. "We were able to isolate all three at times."
Reed led with 23, Hale scored 20 and Morgan finished with 19. Reed also had eight steals, six rebounds and five assists.
"Lindsey was very active, and none of that came in the second quarter," Gonzalez said.
Reed picked up her second foul early and sat out the second quarter. Morgan then picked up her second foul at the start of the second, and the Lady Bulldogs had to rely on Hale.
Hale responded by scoring eight of her 20 in the second, and KHS led 34-20 at the half.
"Dominique did step up," Gonzalez said. "We used a new offense we've installed just for her."
Bianca Sapien, Amber Caswell, Shelby Lehew and Michelle Bracy were on the floor with Hale in the second, and Gonzalez was impressed with their performances.
"I had to run them into the ground," the coach said. "They showed me a lot about what they can do and a whole lot of positives."
Senior McKenzie Overson, in her first year on varsity, shined as well for KHS. Overson rebounded from a case of the nerves in last week's scrimmage against Bullhead City Mohave.
"McKenzie didn't skip a beat," Gonzalez said. "No one went in and hurt us."
After that scrimmage, Gonzalez was worried about his team's defense, close outs, rebounding and offensive movement. The Lady Bulldogs answered most of those questions Monday.
"We had a complete turnaround in everything," Gonzalez said. "I wish our rebounding was a little more effective, but I have to be pleased with them."
KHS takes on Mohave in the Lady Bulldogs' home opener at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Though Monday's win was a great start for KHS, Gonzalez knows there's a long road ahead.
"It showed that the three of them are seniors," he said. "Now, we have to learn to be consistent. One game doesn't make the season."
