CL girls win two; drop one in OT

The Clear Lake girls sandwiched an overtime loss to sixth rated Crestwood (3A) between two wins last week, sending their record to 10-6 overall.  This week the Lions travel to Charles City for a non-conference game on Thursday, then return home to play Humboldt (9-7, 7-4) on Friday.  Tuesday, Feb. 10, they will be at Webster City (4-11, 4-5).

CL 65, IF-A 31

The Lions began the week hosting Iowa Falls-Alden in a North Central Conference tilt.  Clear Lake was too much for the visiting Cadets, who are still looking for their first NCC win.  The Lions rolled, 65-31.

“I thought we got into a good offensive rhythm after the first quarter and I was happy with how we moved the ball and were looking to attack their zone in different ways,” said Coach Bart Smith.

The Lions put the Cadets in a hole early, finishing the first quarter ahead 23-4.  A more even second quarter put the score at 33-19 at the half.  

Clear Lake emerged from the break with renewed determination and held their opponents to just two points in the third quarter.  Even with an even final frame, the Lions won by 34.

Kaye Faber and Emily Snelling were the offensive weapons of choice, with each player putting in 17 points.  Sidney Borrill was also in double figures with 10.  

Point guard Lindsey Loudenburg directed the offense and dished out 12 assists in the win.  The senior also scored six points.  On defense, Loudenburg recorded six steals and grabbed four rebounds.

Katie Hewett had seven points and hauled in a team-high eight rebounds.  The senior also blocked three shots and made four steals in the game.  

Ellie Biebesheimer and Kylie Bottjen each put in three points and Erin O’Tool scored two.  

Crestwood 56, CL 54 (OT)

The 14th ranked Lions (3A) gave number six Crestwood all they could handle in a non-conference matchup played Thursday in Clear Lake.  The Lions fought back from a slow first half and pushed the game into overtime, but fell short, 56-54.

“This was a great game for us even though we did not get the ‘W’ in the win column,” said Coach Bart Smith.  “I was proud our girls responded after being down 12. They showed a lot of game maturity after tonight.”

Crestwood broke out to a 15-9 first quarter lead and were ahead 24-16 at the half.  

“Our defense allowed us to keep the game close at half and then once we found our offensive rhythm, we were able to make a run and get back into the game,” said Coach Smith.

Lindsey Loudenburg played one of her most inspired games of the season, sinking two of four shots from behind the three-point line and going 2/2 at the free throw line.  The senior finished with a team-high 18-points.  She also made seven assists and had three rebounds and three steals.

Sixteen of Loudenburg’s 18 points came after intermission and helped the Lions to outscore the Cadets, 21-15, in the third quarter and 8-6 in the fourth to send the game into overtime.

In overtime it was Crestwood’s turn to be hot from the field.  The Cadets went five-for-five shooting to hold off the Lions, 56-54.

Sophomore Emily Snelling shot 50 percent from the field on her way to a 13 point performance for Clear Lake.  Her line included three treys.  On defense Snelling blocked four shots and had two steals.

Kaye Faber and Katie Hewett each had nine points for the Lions.  Kylie Bottjen finished with three and Sidney Borrill had two points.  Hewett and Borrill were the leaders on the boards with seven and five rebounds respectively.

“It was a great game to look back on and talk about situations and what the girls need to be thinking,” said Coach Smith.

CL 63, C-G/D 33

The Lions used a steady offensive performance and dominating second half defense to cruise to a 30-point win over Clarion-Goldfield/Dows (5-13, 1-10) Friday, Jan. 30.  

Coach Bart Smith noted senior Kay Faber was shooting the ball exceptionally well in the game.  The senior went 8/11 from the floor on her way to 22-points.  She was 5/7 from behind the three-point arc.  Faber also had three steals and five rebounds in the win.

Lindsey Loudenburg also finished in double figures for the second straight game with 16 points.  She dished out six assists and made four steals and five rebounds, as well.

The game was relatively close in the first half, with the Lions holding a 32-25 lead at halftime.  However, the second half was a defensive showcase, as the Lions held the Cowgirls to just two points in the third quarter and six in the fourth.

“The biggest factor that helped us win against Clarion was switching back to man-to-man defense in the second half. They were getting some easy buckets in our press and we had to make an adjustment,” explained Coach Smith.

Sidney Borrill finished was a key to the effective Lion defense.  The senior made five steals and had five rebounds.  

The remainder of the Lions’ scoring came from Emily Snelling with six points and Erin O’Tool, Gretchen Jones and Chloe Mueller with three apiece.  Mckenna Backhaus sunk a free throw for one-point.