LadydawgWesternBasketball-02-16-16: Bulldog center Bernice Fiso controls the opening tipoff to begin the Bulldog-Warrior game Tuesday night in the first round of the 1-A Southern Division playoffs. Photo by Lou Martin.

LadydawgWesternBasketball-02-16-16: Bulldog center Bernice Fiso controls the opening tipoff to begin the Bulldog-Warrior game Tuesday night in the first round of the 1-A Southern Division playoffs. Photo by Lou Martin.

The Virgin Valley High girls’ basketball season ended Tuesday night, Feb 16, in the first round of the 1A Southern Division playoffs with a 53-48 loss to the warriors of Western High School. The Bulldogs played their hearts out but could not stop the Warriors two top players for a full game.

“We knew we had to stop Gonzales and point guard Pierce,” said Bulldog Coach Chimane Creer. “We held them fairly well in the first half, but couldn’t finish.” Destiny Gonzales led all scorers with 20 points and 16 rebounds followed by Capricia Pierce with 19 points. Briana Todd led the Bulldogs with 15 points followed by senior Spencer Green with nine points.

The Warriors jumped out to an early 17-10 lead after one period of play. Bernice Fiso had four points to lead the Dawg scorers. After giving up a quick two points to the Warriors, the Bulldogs ran off nine straight points to tie the game half way thru the second period. Todd had five points during the run. The Warriors hit six points to take a 25-19 lead before Todd hit a long bomb for three. The warriors ended the half on top 28-25.

Todd had 10 points for the half. The Bulldogs had 12 turnovers in the half which led to Warriors points.

The Bulldogs battled the Warriors evenly most of the third period eventually taking a 40-39 lead on three points from Todd with seconds remaining in the period. Pierce ran the floor to put up two points as time ran out giving the Warriors a 41-40 advantage.

The Bulldogs offense disappeared in the fourth period managing only one basket plus six free throws. Pierce and Gonzales controlled the ball and provided the offense down the stretch giving the win to the Warriors.

Western moves on in the playoffs facing top seed Spring Valley in their next game.

“We have some good kids coming back next year,” Creer said. The Dawgs lose starters Spencer Green and Janella Fiso from this year’s squad. Green’s ball handling will be sorely missed.