No. 2 CL girls notch two more victories

The number two ranked (3A) girls notched two more victories on their belt last week, topping Webster City and Hampton-Dumont to keep a tight hold on first place in the North Central Conference.

CL 67, Webster City 27

  Coach Bart Smith felt like it took his team until the middle of the first 

quarter to get the tempo they wanted. But once they did, the Lions were off and running.  They steamrolled Webster City, 67-27, Tuesday, Jan. 21.

“The girls did a nice job defensively to start the game which I felt allowed us get into our tempo,” said Smith.  “One area that is floating to that surface that needs to improve is our defensive rebounding.  We gave up three offensive rebounds to start the game and that can’t happen.”

By halftime the Lions were firmly in control, 30-7.  After a much more even third period, the Lions poured it on in the final frame for the 40-point margin of victory.

Seniors Trudy Peterson and Logan Anderson put in 19 and 16 points respectively to lead their team.  Kay Faber and Bailey Kibsgaard contributed nine and six points respectively.   Lindsey Loudenberg and Katie Hewett added four points apiece and Madi Faber and Kylie Bottjen each had three.  Sidney Borrill chipped in two points.

Kibsgaard ruled the boards with six rebounds.  The senior also made seven of the team’s 21 steals. 

Coach Smith said he would like to see his team continue to develop its toughness in an effort to improve its rebounding.  

“I would like to see us improve on being tougher as we get to the end of the season,” he said.

CL 71, H-D 62

The Lions learned about the downside of being rated so high-- your opponent is always looking to knock you down.

Hampton-Dumont came to town Friday with an upset in mind.  They pushed the Lions to the very end, with Clear Lake getting away with a 71-62 win.

“We beat a dangerous team tonight,” said Coach Bart Smith.  “They had nothing to lose and they wanted to play spoiler tonight.”

The Bulldogs, ranked number 11 in Class 3A, held a 34-31 lead at halftime and were within one point heading into the final period.  But that’s when senior Logan Anderson found her groove, scoring 12 points in the fourth quarter and lifting the Lions to the win.  Anderson finished the night with 27 points.  Her 9/11 performance at the free throw line was key to the win.

Coach Smith also credited Kaye Faber for playing a major part in the win.

“Kaye Faber came up big for us.  She was one of the big reasons we won,” he said.  “Their game plan would have been effective if Kaye didn’t make shots, but they didn’t give her the respect that she deserves and she made them pay.  That’s why its important to be able to make shots when your open in this game and she can do that.”

Faber came off the bench to score 12 points in the win.  She connected on two of six three-point attempts, including one which opened the fourth quarter and sparked the Lions.  

Lindsey Loudenburg also scored 12 on the strength of 2/3 shooting from beyond the arc.  She also made eight assists.

Bailey Kibsgaard finished with seven points and a team-high seven rebounds and four steals.  Trudy Peterson and Madi Faber each scored six.  

  Coach Smith said he will be pushing his team to improve its rebounding, especially on the offensive boards as the team prepares for the post-season.

“I don’t feel like we are getting enough second chance opportunities.  I enjoyed watching the energy and passion they played with to pull away in the fourth.  I would like to see that from the tip.”