Dixon Girls Overcome Slow Start, Hammer Marysville

Sophomore Miranda Williams acknowledged that it was a special evening that came with jitters her team hasn't felt in quite in some time.

"It was Senior Night," the post player said. "We really wanted to play well. It was emotional for all of us."

It almost turned into a disaster, too, before Dixon High's girls went on an 15-0 second-half run and held  off visiting Marysville,  48-40, to end the Golden Empire League basketball season.

Dixon has six wins in its last seven games as they prepare to open the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III tournament next week. Their first-round matchup will be announced on Sunday.

The Rams ended 8-2 in the GEL, 18-9 overall. 

A loss Friday could've cost Dixon any chance of hosting a first-round home game in the playoffs. Senior Melissa Immel connected on two crucial 3-point shots as the Rams battled to avoid the upset.

Dixon led just 26-24 with 3 minutes, 48 seconds to play in the third quarter. That's when Williams stole a pass and hit sophomore Carlene Dyer streaking to the hoop for an easy score.

Williams grabbed a rebound, tossed it ahead to Maddie Dwelley, and hustled down the court. The ball wound up back in Williams' hands and she sank a set shot from the baseline to up the lead to 32-24.

"We talked at halftime about playing better defense," Williams said. "We talked about playing as a team. We did that in the third quarter."

Seconds later, Williams grabbed two offensive rebounds and senior Sophie Kroll's free throw made it 33-24.

"It was Senior Night. We didn't want to mess things up," Kroll said. "We were sad that it was going to be our last league game as seniors, but we were excited, too."

Williams, a 5-foot-8 post player, was intent on making sure the Rams got some breathing room. She made two free throws and Dixon led 36-24.

Sarah Emigh, a junior, made a free throw to end the quarter with Dixon leading, 37-24.

Senior guard Marisa Vela, who led all scorers with 10 points, hit a 3-point shot from the corner to open the fourth quarter for Dixon. Senior Kaylyn Borelli's two free throws were key in the outburst.

Marysville finally ended the 15-0 blitz with a hope two minutes into the final quarter. Dixon led 40-27.

Dyer and Vela each had hoops, sandwiched around a free throw by Emigh, to extend the margin to 48-32 with 2:03 remaining in the game.

"We finally showed more energy getting the ball up and down the court," sophomore guard Sam Del Mugnaio of the burst that blew the game open.

Borrelli and Dyer each finished with eight points. Immel scored six and Del Mugnaio five.

If the Rams are one of the top eight seeded teams in the Division III tournament, they will host a first-round game.

Marysville ended 2-8 in the league and 6-21 overall.