Poor defense led to a Westside League opening loss to Oroville for Lassen High School's girls' basketball team Friday, Jan. 12 in Oroville.

The Tigers, which lost to Lassen a week earlier, outscored the Grizzlies 36-19 in the first half and held on to win 54-46. "Oroville is one of the teams picked to win the league along with us," Lassen head coach Dorinda Shaffer said. "We a lot of opportunities to get back in the game, but couldn't take advantage of them.

"We'll still be OK. The girls had been light-hearted in practices before the game and it showed once it was time to play. They weren't ready to play, but I think they learned their lesson. They realize they need to play their best if they're going to come out with a league title."

Tanneria Johnson, Lassen's hottest offensive player of late, scored 18 and Tenley DeKock had 11.

Lassen took third at the Yreka Tournament Thursday-Saturday, Jan. 4-6. The Grizzlies defeated San Francisco International Academy 73-53, lost to Paradise 69-52 and downed Oroville 64-49.

Evans scored 15 against San Francisco and Johnson added 14. Johnson poured in 17 against Paradise; Evans had 13 and Courtney O'Kelly chipped in seven. Renee Robbins led the way against Oroville with 17; O'Kelly netted 12 and Evans scored eight.

"Beating Oroville in the tournament and going on to lose to them in league was really frustrating," Shaffer said.

Robbins and Johnson were named to the all-tournament team.

Lassen travels to Las Plumas Tuesday, Jan. 16 and hosts Corning Friday, Jan. 19, kicking off a three-game homestand that extends through Tuesday, Feb. 6. After the homestand, the Grizzlies play just one more regular season home game.

Varsity games start at 7 p.m.