Newton

8A
The Valley Center Hornets rolled to a 48–23 victory over the Newton Railers on Tuesday night, showcasing strong defensive pressure and balanced offensive production. Valley Center came out fast, using full-court pressure to seize an 18–4 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Hornets carried that momentum into halftime with a 27–12 advantage, then continued to pull away in the second half with efficient shooting and steady team play.
Inside, Gia Hall had a standout night on the boards, collecting 8 rebounds. Kylie Skladzien and Averie Dewey added 5 rebounds each, helping Valley Center control the paint from start to finish. Zoey Nelson guided the offense with 4 assists, while the Hornets’ defense fed their transition game as Skladzien came up with 6 steals and Dewey added 4. Valley Center shot an impressive 19-of-38 from the field, converting their defensive stops into scoring opportunities.
The Hornets spread the scoring across the roster. Skladzien led the way with 16 points, followed by Hall with 10 and Nelson with 7. Tessa Black added 5, Dewey scored 4, and Peyton Gonzalez, Audrey Shifrin, and Hayley Johnston each chipped in 2.

8B
Despite a VERY slow start and trailing 2-11 at half, the 8 th B team had a great second half beating Newton 22-17. The charge was led by Hayley Johnston on the offensive end who scored 13 of the team's points and did a fantastic job running the court. On the defensive end, Jayleen Cabral-Gomez dominated the boards and played aggressive defense. Coach Kyli Burns said, “After a week off from break and 1 practice for this game, I was very proud of the hustle I saw on both ends of the court. The fire we have been waiting to see all season finally started to light and I am excited for our last few games of the season!”

7A
Valley Center 7A came up just short on Tuesday night, falling to Newton 25–27 in a tightly contested matchup that stayed close from start to finish. The Hornets opened the game with energy and confidence, thanks to a big first quarter from Emary Tyler, who scored all 7 of her points early to set the tone.
Kendall Merrifield helped carry the offense throughout the night, finishing with 9 points. Sophia Fellows played aggressive, physical defense and did an excellent job crashing the boards, contributing 3 points along with valuable hustle plays that kept possessions alive.
Additional scoring came from Maddie Truman and Laura Garten, who each added 2. In her first game starting for 7A, Kate Stratton made an immediate impact—bringing toughness in the paint and chipping in 2 points.
Valley Center held a 14–10 lead at halftime, but as the second half unfolded, the gap began to close. Mental mistakes and turnovers gave Newton extra opportunities, shifting momentum down the stretch.
Despite maintaining the lead until the final minute, the Hornets saw Newton capitalize late with the go-ahead basket. Valley Center was unable to recover in the closing seconds.

7B
The Valley Center Hornets 7th Grade B Team delivered a commanding performance Tuesday night, defeating the Newton Railers 29–18 in a well-rounded showing on both ends of the floor.
Elly Westmoreland led the Hornets with an impressive 10 points, attacking the basket with confidence and setting the tone offensively. Lucille Waggoner added 7 points, providing key baskets during momentum swings and helping Valley Center maintain control throughout the game.
Skylar MacDougall played a crucial role in the Hornets’ offensive rhythm, repeatedly driving inside and drawing contact. Her aggressive play kept the Railers in constant foul trouble and gave Valley Center valuable opportunities at the free-throw line.
On defense, the Hornets continued to show marked improvement in their press. Their full-court pressure created turnovers, disrupted Newton’s ball movement, and generated multiple fast-break scoring chances. The defensive intensity proved to be the difference-maker, allowing Valley Center to build and protect their lead.