Fresno City women advance in NorCal playoffs

BY ANTHONY GALAVIZ, The Fresno Bee

Fresno City women's basketball coach Brian Tessler was concerned about his team's NorCal matchup against Laney.

With Keyora Wharry on his side, Tessler didn't have to worry.

Wharry scored 18 of her 32 points in the first half and the No. 2 Rams rolled past No. 15 Laney 88-64 in a second-round game.

"We played well in the first half," said Tessler, whose Rams advance to host No. 7 Solano on Wednesday. "But for whatever reason, we had lapses in the second half and we cannot allow that and have to do a better job."

Fresno City (27-3) went without a field goal for six minutes early in the second half before Ali Orlich hit a 3-pointer. Orlich finished with three 3-pointers and 12 points.

"She came through for us," Tessler said.

Wharry, meanwhile, is 17 points away from passing Sumiya Darden's school record of 1,161 career points. Wharry already has the program's rebounds record with 692.

"When we play together and play well, we can play with anyone in the state," said Rams guard Nina Gregory. "We have a great coach who is going to get us prepared for each opponent and give us the best chance to win."