Rocklin feeling good after successful tourney

There were many positives that the Rocklin High girls basketball team can take from its 2-1 record at the Trojan Toss-up tournament at Oak Ridge.Junior point guard Brittany Ost handled a full-court press better than she had all year, junior shooting guard Annelise Miller and senior center Lindsay Hayward scored consistent points and twice the Thunder won close games against quality opponents.Put it all together and the Thunder believes they are ready for the start of the Sierra Foothill League season. "Going 2-1 at this tournament, you have to be happy," Rocklin coach Frank Shields said. "It's the toughest girls' tournament in the Sacramento area."We came into it knowing we would either end up with one of our worst preseason (records) ever or finish it out O.K. And we finished O.K."Rocklin, which opens SFL play Jan. 5 against visiting Woodcreek at 7:30 p.m., finished its pre-league schedule 9-6.At Oak Ridge, Rocklin's only loss came in the opener, as it fell 54-49 to tournament champion Burbank (11-1). However it bounced back from the loss to beat Oak Ridge 62-61 in overtime and El Camino 65-62 in Thursday's consolation final.Rocklin's most exciting game came against Oak Ridge, when Courtney Roullier-Bunz hit a 15-foot-jumper with approximately 10 seconds left to beat the Trojans (9-3). The junior forward freed herself up off a screen before making the game-winning shot. Miller, who was Rocklin's lone all-tournament representative, scored 18 points in the victory. Hayward chipped in with 17.After building a 36-22 halftime lead over (6-7) El Camino the next night, Rocklin barely held on. Miller led the way with 17 points, Hayward had 16 and Roullier-Bunz scored 15.Against Burbank, the Thunder had no answer for tournament MVP Breana Fields, allowing the senior to go for 29 points. Miller and Hayward scored 13 apiece for the Thunder. FreshmenAlthough they lost all three games at the Trojan Toss-up at Oak Ridge, the Thunder are making progress.This was most apparent during a 36-35 loss to Oak Ridge during the second game of the tournament. Facing a team that it lost to by 22 points earlier in the season, Rocklin was able to play much better offensively and defensively this time around. Kathy Jones led the Thunder with 13 points and four steals while Courtney Buzdon grabbed 15 rebounds to go with seven points. Stefanie Mantsch had six points and five steals, while Brittany Waymire pulled down eight boards.Rocklin followed that with a 45-37 loss to St. Francis. Mantsch scored nine and had four steals while Brooke Wolfe had 10 boards, six points and four steals. AJ Barker was also active, with five boards, three steals and three assists. Burbank beat Rocklin 63-24 in the opener, with Rebekah Harmon (10 points, four assists) and Wolfe (eight points, eight rebounds, four steals) standing out for Rocklin.Like the junior varsity (6 p.m.), Rocklin will open league at home against Woodcreek on Jan. 5, with the tip set for 4:30 p.m.