A Monticello Empire League-season-opening win wasn’t terribly satisfying for Mark Wudel and the Will C. Wood High School boys basketball team.

A rout in the second game of the MEL slate not only gave the Wildcats sole possession of the league lead, but it gave Wudel and company a much better feeling.

Wood scored the first 11 points of the game and never looked back in a 64-45 blowout over Vintage at Frank Molina Gymnasium on Tuesday night.

“We played much better than we did against Napa,” Wudel said, referring to a 63-51 win over the Indians last Friday. “Early on, we got a lot of rebounds, and then had good outlet passes for easy shots. Even when they did get back on defense, we passed the ball well and never really let them get set up.

“We got up, and then when they did make a run at us, we always held the upper hand. We played really good defense. I’m really roud of our guys.”

The Wildcats held at 18-11 lead after the first quarter, and extended the advantage to 32-21 by halftime.

More at TheReporter.com >>>

The American Canyon High boys basketball team lost to host Will C. Wood, 70-64, in overtime during a nonleague game in Vacaville.

Malik Ghiden had 18 points and Gamon Howard added 14 points for the Wolves (12-3). Danny Shollenberger had 11 points and Devin Booker added eight points, five of those in overtime.

More at TimesHeralOnline.com >>>

Alex Stepney scored 24 points as Will C. Wood High School’s boys basketball team overcame a rough start and pulled away for a 76-53 victory over El Camino of Sacramento at the Les Curry tournament in Davis on Friday.

The Wildcats (7-2) trailed 21-10 late in the first period, but managed to take a 36-30 lead by halftime. The Wildcats outscored the Eagles 24-10 in the fourth period to turn the game into a rout.

“We got good looks because of our defense,” Wood head coach Mark Wudel said. “They got up so fast I was thinking, ‘Oh, no!’ but then we scored a few right at the end of the quarter. In the second quarter we played great defense, and then we started to hit our shots.”

More at TheReporter.com >>>

Not bad for openers.

Will C. Wood High School’s girls basketball team won three games all last season.

The Wildcats may eclipse that total by next week.

Victoria Lopez scored a game-high 15 points as Wood officially opened its season on Tuesday night with a 46-29 victory over visiting Center at Frank Molina Gymnasium.

“Overall, it was pretty good. We’re excited,” head coach Bob Fernandez said. “Obviously we had a foundation scrimmage (on Monday), but for some this was their first time out, at least at this level. We did pretty well.”

Wood never trailed, and took control for good by scoring 11 straight points during a four-minute stretch in the first quarter.

More at TheReporter.com >>>