Girls pour it on to defeat Algona

The Clear Lake girls basketball team poured it on down the stretch to defeat Algona, 67-50, Friday, Jan. 3.

Coach Bart Smith called his team’s performance a good game out of the break.

“Our girls did a nice job defending their post players,” said Coach Smith.  “We are an undersized team and I was pleased with how we played against a team with size.”

The Lions’ press was effective at the end of the first and second quarters, helping the team to go on a couple of 7-0 runs to extend their lead.  

Clear Lake jumped out to a 16-7 first quarter lead and went into the locker room at halftime ahead 24-17.

Algona, which outscored the Lions 10-8 in the second quarter, cut the lead to three points in a close third period.  But the Lions responded with good possessions to pull away.  Free throws sealed the deal down the stretch.

Lindsey Loudenburg had a hot shooting hand and led the Lions offensively with 19 points.  The junior was 7/7 from the field, including a pair of three-pointers.  She went 7/9 from the free throw line.  

Trudy Peterson sunk three treys on her way to a 17-point performance.   Logan Anderson also finished in double figures with 12 points.  Her line also included sinking seven of nine free throw attempts. 

Bailey Kibsgaard put in 10 points for the Lions, going 4/4 from the field and 2/2 at the charity stripe, but it was her defensive play that really stood out.  She pulled down a staggering 11 rebounds for her team.

Emily Phalen added six points for the Lions, Madi Faber scored two and Kay Faber rounded out the scoring total with one point.

The Lions (7-1, 7-0), ranked sixth in Class 3A, just before the holiday break,  were slated to play at Clarion Tuesday night, Jan. 7. They will be home Thursday, Jan. 9, to take on St. Ed’s, then will play a non-conference game with Forest City Saturday, Jan. 11.  St. Ed’s is the only other undefeated team in the conference with an 8-0 mark.