Girls drop a heartbreaker

Time wasn’t on Clear Lake’s side Saturday.

“We just ran out of time,” said Clear Lake Coach Bart Smith after his team fell, 40-39, to Charles City in the Class 4A Regional played in Clear Lake.  “Both teams competed and played tough defense the whole night and we just needed one more bucket to fall for us to win.”

The teams, which also met in the final game of the regular season where Clear Lake had a four-point win, were equally matched in their second contest.  The score was 10-10 after one quarter and the Lions led 19-14 at the half.  

The Comets tied the score at 27-27 after three periods and the lead switched back and forth in the final minutes.  

Charles City’s Jackie Foster connected on a pair of free throws to give the Comets the final lead and the win over the number 13 ranked Lions.  

  “I was proud of how we kept our composure the whole night,” said Coach Smith.  “All you can ask of the girls is to give yourself a chance at the end and we had plenty of them.”

The coach called the third quarter the deciding factor.

“I felt we didn’t come out of the half like we usually do and take control of the game,” said Smith.  “That’s my fault as a coach for not getting that third quarter started off on the right foot.”  

Logan Anderson led Clear Lake with 16 points, including three three-pointers.  Bailey Kibsgaard had a hot hand, sinking five of six shots from the field and three of five free throws for 13 points.  Kaitlyn Pitzen scored four points coming off the bench.  Megan Loux, Kristen Hewett and Madison Faber had two points apiece. 

Kibsgaard and Hewett pulled down six rebounds to lead the team.  Anderson had five boards. 

“We really thought we had a good opportunity to make a nice run in the tournament with the way we ended the season, but fell short,”  said Coach Smith.  “The girls should be very proud of how the season went.  Our seniors (Kristen Hewett, Megan Loux, Kaitlyn Pitzen, Jenna Peterson and Emily Willms) will be missed a lot and showed great leadership all year.  Without their work ethic and leadership we wouldn’t of had the success we had this year.”

The Lions finished the season at 17-5. 

Charles City (12-10) will face second ranked Waverly-Shell Rock on Tuesday night in Clarksville for a trip to State.