The Yakima Valley women's basketball team started the new year on resounding note last Saturday, racing past Shoreline 95-48 in its final nonleague contest.

Britany Phillips scored 24 points and grabbed seven rebounds, and Jewelisa Landa scored 19 and pulled down five boards as YVC built a 29-point halftime lead. Phillips shot 7-of-9 from the floor, including 4-of-5 from long range, while Landa went 8-of-12 with three treys.

Avery Schumacher also made three shots from the outside, putting up 13 points, and Sofia Alvarado finished with nine points — all on 3-pointers — as the Yaks shot 48.4% (15-of-31) from behind the arc. Brooklynne Sylve posted 11 points and nine rebounds, Ashlynn Sylve had eight points, eight rebounds and four steals, and Gwen Dawes added seven points and nine rebounds off the bench. The hot-shooting Yaks finished 47.4% (37-of-78) from the floor to improve to 9-1 against in-state opponents.
Before Saturday's victory, YVC finished 2025 with three games against top-flight competition in Arizona. Coach Lanette Hooper wanted her players to push themselves before the start of conference play, and while the Yaks lost all three contests, they returned home a stronger, more battle-tested group.

"The teams we faced were really fast and really strong, and it took us time to adjust," Hooper said. "They play a more physical game down there than we are used to in Washington, but once we got used to that style of play, we were able to run with them."
The Yaks (9-4 overall) started the trip with a 90-55 loss to Mesa Community College on Dec. 17. Ashlynn Sylve led the way with 24 points, eight rebounds and three blocks, while Phillips added 12 points and 10 rebounds. Schumacher added nine points, five rebounds and three assists as the Yaks shot 31.4% (22-of-70) from the floor).

The next day against Chandler-Gilbert Community College, the Yaks fell behind by 27 points at the half on the way to an 83-43 defeat (individual stats not available). The team closed out its visit to the Southwest with a 93-34 loss at the hands of Scottsdale Community College. Ashlynn Sylve scored nine points, and Brooklynne Sylve and Phillips each had eight as the Yaks shot just 20.3% (13-of-64).

"We knew it would be hard because these were all national JUCO teams, where their players can receive full scholarships," Hooper said. "It was a big challenge for us, but the girls dug deep and worked hard. We came home playing at a different level."
That higher level of play was evident in Saturday's win over Shoreline, and the Yaks will look to keep it rolling when NWAC East play begins Wednesday at home against Blue Mountain. Hooper believes her team is ready to compete against the best teams in the conference.

"Our region is really tough, but we should be in the hunt," she said. "The Arizona trip prepared us well, and we feel like we are ready."