The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

DAYTON – The Dayton girls' basketball team lifted their record to 13-2 after three decisive wins last week, including a 57-15 drubbing of the WP Lady Cardinals.

Dayton 45, Garfield-Palouse 28

On Jan. 13, Dayton traveled to Garfield-Palouse, where they easily outplayed the Vikings, notching a 45-28 non-league road win. The Lady 'Dogs took a 23-14 lead into the half of a game that was never close.

"We started out a little slow, but Palouse has always been a difficult place to play," said Dayton coach Clayton Strong. "I thought our third quarter effort was pretty good and we were able to get a lot of kids on the floor in the second half."

Lexie Ramirez dropped in a three-pointer at the buzzer to end the first half, and did it again at the end of the third.

Ramirez led her team in scoring, with ten points, followed by Sidney Andrews with eight. Madison Mings pulled down nine rebounds, and Shayla Currin had three blocked shots.

Dayton 57, WP 15

Dayton hosted WP on Friday night, and the struggling Lady Cards were no match. WP never scored more than five points in a quarter, as the Lady 'Dogs built a 35-7 lead at the half.

"We just got outplayed," said WP coach JT Elsey. "The Dayton girls have played together for a long time and it shows." Of his team, Elsey said, "I am still seeing progress with the entire team; they make advancements in their game each day."

Strong was pleased with his team's performance. "We were able to play a lot of kids on Friday," he said. "We also had a chance to work on some new things as well."

For Dayton, Andrews led the Lady 'Dogs with 17 points, followed by Mings, with 11. Currin and Jenna Phillips each had six rebounds. Sarah Phillips contributed four steals.

Lexi Brannock led WP with five points, followed by Tayler Jones and Paige Wood with three each.

Dayton 49, Tri Cities Prep, 32

On Saturday night, the Lady 'Dogs hosted Tri-Cities Prep, and won easily, 49-32. Dayton broke out to an early lead, outscoring the Jaguars 15-4 in the first quarter, and taking a 25-11 lead into the half.

"We played really hard on Saturday, especially defensively," Strong said. "I also thought that, especially in the first half, we passed the ball really well and hit the backboards hard. They are a really good team so well feel fortunate to win the game."

Mings led her team with 16 points on Saturday, and Andrews added 12. Mings and Andrews also led the team in rebounds, with nine and eight respectively. Ramirez had four assists and four steals.

On Friday, the Dayton girls hope to avenge their only league loss this year, when they take on league-leading DeSales in Walla Walla. The Lady 'Dogs host Asotin on Saturday.

The WP girls host Asotin on Friday and TCP on Saturday.