CL girls peaking at the right time

The Clear Lake girls basketball team (13-6) seems to be hitting its stride as tournament time is approaching.  Last week the Lions recorded three victories.  After a game played last night (Tuesday, Feb. 10), the 15th ranked (3A) Lions go on the road for their final regular season game at Algona.   They start the post-season on Saturday, Feb. 14, playing Forest City.  The game will be played in Clear Lake at 7 p.m.

CL 62, Algona 41

Sophomore Emily Snelling had 20 points to lead the Clear Lake girls to a 62- 41 win over Algona Tuesday, Feb. 3.

A good first half was enough for the Lions.  They held a 33-13 lead at halftime, then played good defense throughout the second to thwart any Bulldog comeback attempts.

“The first quarter was good, but the second quarter was great.  This was the best we have moved offensively all year and our pressure caused a lot of turnovers,” said Coach Bart Smith.

Lindsey Loudenburg added 15 points and had nine assists, while Kay Faber scored 13 for the Lions.

Sidney Borrill put in nine points. Erin O’Tool scored three and had a team-high eight rebounds.  Kiersen Baulsen sunk her only fieldgoal attempt for two-points.  Kylie Bottjen was held scoreless, but made three steals, along with Loudenburg.

CL 56, Charles City 39

Balanced scoring helped the Lions to a non-conference 56-39 win on the road Thursday at Charles City.  Kaye Faber scored 20 points and Lindsey Loudenburg and Sidney Borrill each added 10 to lead the team.  Emily Snelling finished with eight points and Erin O’Tool had six.  Ellie Biebesheimer came off the bench to score two points.

Despite picking up the win, Coach Bart Smith said his team was inconsistent in the game.

“We would look good for a few minutes, then turn around and look really bad a few minutes,” said Smith.

The first quarter was especially good for the Lions, as they jumped out to a 19-10 lead in the first quarter.  At halftime the lead was 32-16.

The Comets made some successful adjustments to start the second half and played a much more even game.

Faber and O’Tool each pulled down seven rebounds for the Lions.  Loudenburg and Snelling were credited with eight and seven assists respectively.  Loudenburg also had a team-high four steals.

“Early foul trouble forced us to play different defenses and that might have contributed to the inconsistent play on our part,” said Coach Smith.  “I’m happy with a win, but we need to start putting together a full consistent game.”

CL 58, Humboldt 41

Another great first half put the Lions in position to pick up another win Friday night.  They outdistanced Humboldt, 58-41, to improve to 9-3 in the North Central Conference.

“I was very happy with our start and focus,” said Coach Smith.  His team scored 24 points in the first quarter and 18 in the second for a 42-23 halftime lead.

“I hope the girls understand that its important to start that way and have teams adjust to us, instead of us adjusting to them,” said Coach Smith.

The scoring slowed down in the second half, but the Lions’ defense was effective.

“It was a different second (half) offensively, but when you shoot 64 percent in the first, it’s very hard to do that in the second.  We really stressed the importance of playing solid defense in the second half and holding them to two, single digit quarters.  Our defense was pretty good second half.  I have been really impressed with how the girls are playing hard despite a three game a week schedule the last two weeks.”

Emily Snelling led the scoring with 15 points, followed by Lindsey Loudenburg and Kaye Faber with 13 apiece.  Katie Hewett scored six points and had nine rebounds, while Sidney Borrill finished with six points.  Erin O’Tool added five points.  

The Lions had 11 steals, led by Snelling with three. Loudenburg, Borrill and Hewett each had two.