Ninth ranked W-SR defeats CL girls

Ninth ranked (4A) Waverly-Shell Rock used a big second quarter to defeat the Clear Lake girls, 56-42, in a game played Saturday, Dec. 20.  The loss put the Lions’ record a 4-3 heading into the holiday break.

“We showed little energy and enthusiasm to start the game.  Waverly is too good of a team for us to come out flat,” said Coach Bart Smith, whose team was playing their third game in the week.  “Foul trouble to start the game put us in a disadvantage, along with early turnovers again, which was part of our energy and enthusiasm, so we had to rely on our bench early.”

The coach noted the play of McKenna Backhaus and Erin O’Tool, off the bench.  

“I know that I need to give McKenna some more minutes after her play tonight.  She was given an opportunity and she was ready for it,” said Coach Smith.  Backhaus scored two points.

The first quarter was tight, with the host Go-Hawks holding a 13-12 advantage.  However W-SR jumped ahead by 10 at half by outscoring the Lions 13-4 in the second quarter.

Kaye Faber was the teams’ leading scorer with 17 points, including three three-pointers.  Faber also pulled down five rebounds, as did Lindsey Loudenburg, who put in nine points.  Loudenburg was active of offense and defense, with six assists and four steals.

Emily Snelling came off the bench to score eight points.  Katie Hewett and Kylie Bottjen had three points apiece.  Both players also had three rebounds.

“I was proud of how we fought to the end to keep it close,” said Coach Smith.  “Kaye and Lindsey logged a lot of minutes and played hard till the end.  We could have easily given up with three-minutes to go, down 18, but we kept playing and that’s all I ask.  Grind it out to the end.”