Lions top Forest City, 55-35, in Regional action

Three more wins have the Clear Lake girls on the right track at tournament time.  Last week the Lions wrapped up North Central Conference play with wins on the road over Webster City and Algona.  Then the Lions (16-6 and rated number 13 in the final Class 3A poll) pummeled Forest City in the first round of Regional play, 55-35.  In a repeat of last years’ second round post-season game, the team will face Garner-Hayfield/Ventura tonight in a 7 p.m. game in the Clear Lake High School gymnasium.  The winner of that game will play for the Regional title Saturday, Feb. 21, in Mason City.  

CL 52, Webster City 35

The Clear Lake girls beat Webster City 52-35 Tuesday.  Kaye Faber had 15 points to lead the Lions, while Sidney Borrill had 12 and Katie Hewett added 10.  

“We had stretches where we played really good basketball,” said Clear Lake Coach Bart Smith.  “We moved the ball in their zone and got some good looks.  We were just inconsistent too many times to get into a good rhythm.”

The Lions broke out to a 13-7 first quarter lead.  A much more even second quarter made the score 29-20 at halftime.

Webster City made some adjustments at halftime that helped them to outscore the Lions, 10-7, in the third, but the fourth quarter was all Clear Lake.  The Lions pumped in 16 points while holding the home team to just five for the final, 52-35.

In addition to the double digit scoring by the three seniors, their classmate Lindsey Loudenburg finished with nine points and a team-high three steals.  Sophomore Emily Snelling rounded out the scoring with six points and six assists.  

Hewett was the leader in the boards with eight rebounds.  She was also a perfect 4/4 from the free throw line.

CL 46, Algona 42

The Lions picked up a hard-fought 46-42 victory over Algona in their final regular season game played Thursday, Feb. 12.

“We gutted this road win out. We didn’t shoot well, but we found ways to get the win,” said Coach Bart Smith.

Again, a trio of players were in double figures scoring.  Kaye Faber led the way with 16 points, including four three-pointers.  Lindsey Loudenburg finished with 14 points and Katie Hewett had 10.  Hewett was the leading rebounder with five.  The senior also blocked three shots in the win.

Sidney Borrill had six rebounds to go with her four-points and Emily Snelling scored two and made two steals.

“We had a good regular season.  We fell one game short of the conference championship, but I feel with our tough schedule this year it has prepared us for a challenging tournament run,” said Smith.

Hampton-Dumont and St. Edmond, Fort Dodge finished the season atop the NCC with 12-2 records.  Clear Lake had an 11-3 record in the conference.

CL 55, Forest City 35

The pressure was too much for Forest City in the first round of Regional play Saturday.  The Lions took advantage of home court advantage and a raucous crowd to win, 55-35.

“Our pressure flustered them early in the game tonight,” said Coach Smith.  “Emily Snelling was very good in the press and was really active all night.  I was also happy to see Sidney Borrill contribute to some scoring for us tonight.”

In addition to her defensive prowess, which netted eight steals, Snelling had a hot shooting hand.  The sophomore sunk eight of 11 shots from the field for 18 points.  She also dished out seven assists.  Borrill had 14 points, four rebounds and three steals in the win.  

Lindsey Loudenburg was also in double digit scoring with 11.  The senior was also credited with six assists and four steals.  Kaye Faber and Katie Hewett had six points apiece.  Hewett controlled the boards with eight rebounds. She also blocked one shot and had two steals.