Clayton Valley Shrugs Off NCS Defeat, Switches Focus to State

The girls basketball team came as close as it could possibly get to winning the Division II North Coast Section title Saturday.

But after falling to host Doughtery Valley 46-45 in the championship, the Eagles are now turning their attention to a new tournament — state.

Clayton Valley opens up the Division II state playoffs against visiting Chico at 7 p.m. tonight.

Eagles coach Bernard Barnes thought his team played an "outstanding" game against Dougherty Valley and believes the experience of going deep in the NCS tournament will the help the squad in state.

"I thinks (the NCS run) was huge," Barnes said. "They used to ask me what the other teams record was or if they're good, but now they don't. They just go out and play."

One of the key players all season, especially in the playoffs, has been Molly Kommer. Though Chico lacks the size of Dougherty Valley, the junior forward said the team needs to rebound well to keep its season alive.

"We have to rebound the ball to win," Kommer said. "I'm a rebounder so I have to do my job."

Like the Eagles (26-3), Chico (17-8) fell in their section championship game on Saturday, losing to Pleasant Valley 52-42 in the Northern Section final.

"Someone told us they are similar to ," Barnes said. "They like to shoot the 3, they trap a lot and they're small  We have size, quick feet and speed and we think we can play against anyone."