It was a promising first half for the Wood River High School girls' varsity basketball team Friday in its 2004-05 home-court debut against the Century Diamondbacks in Hailey.
With only two players returning from last winter's 3A district championship team, Wood River shrugged off its inexperience and played enough scrappy defense to hold Century to a 15-14 half-time lead.
But Century's shooters got hot in the second half and the Diamondback defenders did plenty of damage with their full-court press to record 50-28 Great Basin Conference victory.
Wood River (a solid 14-for-22 at the free throw line) committed 31 turnovers and made only seven field goals all game, to 20 for Century. The Diamondbacks out-rebounded Wood River 31-24, most of the difference coming on the offensive glass.
Senior co-captain Alexa Alberdi (4 steals, 4-for-4 free throws) topped the Wolverines with 10 points.
Another big contributor for Wood River was senior co-captain Laura Johnson (6 points, 8 rebounds), who showed toughness in the paint and hauled down six rebounds in the first quarter alone.
Point guard Syringa Stark (5 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 assists) guided the Hailey attack. Other point-getters were Jamie Stone (2 points, 3 rebounds), Lauren Morgenthaler (2 points, 4 boards), Kristen Miniard (2 points) and Maddie Miller (1 point).
Century senior guard Cory Farnsworth (3 steals, 3 assists) tallied 6 of her game-high 14 points in the Diamondback 20-point third quarter surge while senior center Britany Tremayne (8 boards, 3 steals) chipped in 8 of her 11 points in the third stanza.
In all, nine Diamondbacks scored and the winners pulled off 17 steals.
Wood River's junior varsity also dropped its opener 44-33.
The Wolverines (0-1) hosted Hillcrest of Idaho Falls Tuesday night on the Hailey hardwoods and then travel to play Bonneville in Idaho Falls Friday, Nov. 19. Last year's state fourth-place finisher Hillcrest started its season Friday with a 72-64 win over 2004 consolation champ Bishop Kelly, while 2004 State 4A runner-up Vallivue downed Bonneville 60-53.
Next Wolverine home game is Wednesday, Dec. 1 against Blackfoot.
Syringa Stark pops a jumper during Friday's Century game on the Hailey floor. Express photo by David N. Seelig
