Alfiera scores 23 as Whitefish tops Eureka

Carmella Alfiera was accurate from behind the three-point arc, hitting five three-pointers and scoring 23 points to lift Whitefish past Eureka 54-30 in non-league basketball action on Thursday, Jan. 9 at home. 

“We have been a bit inconsistent with our three-point shooting early in the season and it came together nicely in our game versus Eureka,” Whitefish Head Coach Bob Bolam said. “Freshman Reese Hudson hit four three-pointers in our first game and just a few since, while Carmella had hit one all season until hitting five against Eureka.”

The Lady Bulldogs jumped out to a 15-5 lead in the first quarter and had a 30-20 halftime lead. They opened up the second half with a 15-4 run and clamped down on their Class B foe, allowing just 10 points in the second half.

Bolam said he liked the floor leadership that Charlize Ullrich has show for the team this year.

“She has been asked to basically play all five positions and is doing a nice job to help control our tempo,” he said. “Carmella has that ability [to hit three-pointers] and it was nice to see it come out. Freshman Izzy Short had a great game, not only did she play great defense she ripped down rebounds to go with her scoring 8 points.”

Whitefish’s Reese Hudson also hit three three-pointers and finished with 11 points. Allie Shors came off the bench for nine points and Izzy Short posted eight points and 17 rebounds.

“To get eight [three-pointers] in a game was really nice,” Bolam said. “[Reese and Carmella] as well as senior Charlize Ullrich, senior Yoli Krastev, and freshman Allie Shors really can provide us with some outside shooting to help open up our inside game.”

The win improved Whitefish’s record to 2-3 on the season. 

“I have been very pleased with the positive atmosphere and hard work the girls have shown this year,” Bolam said.  “They are really pulling together as a team and pushing each other to stay focused and work hard during practice. Our senior leaders have really led the way for us. We have been playing a lot of young girls so far this year and they have been improving their play, so hopefully that will show up as we compete to win games.”

At Whitefish

WHITEFISH 54, EUREKA 30

Eureka - 5 - 15 - 4 - 6 - 30

W-Fish - 15 - 15 - 15 - 9 - 54

WHITEFISH SCORING: Reese Hudson 11, Charlize Ullrich 3, CAmrella Alfieri 23, Allie Shors 9, Izzy Short 8 

    Grace Inabnit with control of the ball on Jan. 9. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
  

    Freshman Allie Shors with the ball vs. the Lions on Jan. 9 (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
  

    Bulldog Izze Short, 32, during the game vs. Eureka Jan. 9. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
  

    Shot for Bulldog Carmella Alfieri on Jan. 9. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
  

    Lady Bulldogs win against the Eureka Lions on Jan. 9. at the Dog Pound. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)