The Ferndale Wildcats started fast and made it count in the third-place game in their bracket at the West Coast Jamboree in girls basketball on Monday.

Matching up against Stanford commit Carly Amborn and the San Domenico Panthers, the Ferndale girls scored 29 points in the opening quarter on their way to a 61-60 win.

With the victory, the Wildcats closed out tournament play 2-1 and improved to 9-4 on the season.

The Ferndale girls, who have won four of their last five games, opened tournament play with a 36-24 win over Presentation on Friday, before losing 44-36 to Granada one Saturday.

“I thought we played some of the best defense we’ve played all year in our first two games,” Ferndale head coach Chris Ardrey said. “We just didn’t bring our offense in the Granada game.”

Junior Madison Gossi was named to the all-tournament team for the Wildcats after making her presence felt at both ends of the court in all three games.

Gossi scored 10 points against Presentation and nine against Granada.

Fellow junior Tinnley Pidgeon also impressed over the three games.

Pidgeon scored a team-high 15 points in the tournament opener and added 16 points against San Domenico.

She was equally impressive on defense, holding the impressive Amborn to just 10 points in the second half of Monday’s game.

“Tinnley did great,” said Ardrey, who added, “that was a tough assignment for anyone.”

Emily Sauers also impressed for the Cats and scored eight points against Granada, while Michaela Ellsmore continues to establish herself as a key member of the team after recently returning from injury.

The junior guard scored a team-high 18 points in the tourney finale.

Overall, Ardrey likes the way the team is coming together as they get set to open conference play next week.

“I think we’re starting to gel and trust each other and we’re shooting better,” he said. “The girls have stepped up.”

The Wildcats tip off the Little 4 at home against St. Bernard’s on Thursday of next week.

In what will be a busy and challenging few days, the Cats also play Big 5 opponents Fortuna and McKinleyville on Tuesday and Saturday, respectively.