(Above, Coach Juan Vela talkes to his team during a timeout of Fremont Ross’ season-opening win over Clyde.)
FREMONT – Playing varsity as a freshman is not supposed to be easy.
But Fremont Ross ninth-graders Mekhia Williams and Janiah Holmes made it look easy Friday night.
As the Lady Giants opened the 2019-20 season at home against Clyde, the freshman duo combined for 39 points as Ross defeated the Fliers 63-42.
Mylah Williams
Janiah Holmes
“It’s nice to get that first win and get that monkey off your back,” Ross coach Juan Vela said. “I thought the girls played hard, I felt like a lot of girls made plays, made shots. It was a good night. Great home-opener, great crowd, everybody got involved in the game. It was a fun night.”
Holmes and Williams scored Ross’ first two baskets of the season, Holmes on a lay-in assisted by Brooklyn Baptista, and Williams on a baseline drive to the basket. Their quick start gave Ross a shot in the arm in the first quarter, as the Lady Giants jumped out to a 21-4 lead after the first period.
“I was very nervous but when I got in, it all went away and it was fun,” Williams said. “I expect good things out of my team, we work really hard together in practice, so we were prepared, and I expected good things.”
Ross’ continued the momentum into the second quarter and led 37-19 at halftime, Clyde never threatened to climb back into the game as Ross controlled the tempo for much of night.
“When you’re doing something that you love, and I would say most of these girls love basketball – they’re basketball players – I think (playing with energy) is easy. They’re here, at home, with a nice crowd, making shots, you’re going to get that adrenaline going.”
Williams finished with 24 points while Holmes scored 15. Brooklyn Baptista and Makenna Englund each added seven.
The Lady Giants (1-0) return to the court Tuesday at Sandusky Perkins.
FREMONT ROSS 63, CLYDE 42
Ross (63)
Mylah Williams 24, Brooklyn Baptista 7, Makenna Englund 7, Sarah Widman 5, Aries Freeman 2, Hannah Sheidler 3, Janiah Holmes 15.