Clear Lake girls break into rankings at No. 13

The Clear Lake girls basketball team finished out January with their fourth win in a row and broke into the Class 3A rankings for the first time this season at number 13, showing they are peaking at just the right time.  The Lions are now 12-6 on the season.

CL 51, IF-A 39

The Lions started the week with a dominant victory over Iowa Falls-Alden Tuesday, Jan. 26.  Ten three-pointers helped to lift the Lions, 51-39.

“We shot the ball really well from the three-point line.  Our timing on offense is getting better and is contributing to our good shooting,” said Coach Bart Smith.

The visiting Cadets actually held a 17-15 first quarter lead and we ahead 30-25 at the break.  But a good third quarter in which the Lions outscored IF-A 12-4 put the game out of reach.

“I’m very pleased with how we started our second half.  We are starting to mature as a team and put teams away when we have a lead,” added Coach Smith.

Emily Snelling was the team leader for the Lions with 18 points and six rebounds and Jessica Faber was a spark off the bench with 12.

“Jessica continues to give us good points off the bench and is playing with a lot of confidence,” said Smith.

Chloe Mueller put in eight points and had seven assists in the win.  Erin O’Tool and Ellie Biebesheimer had six and five points respectively.  Jordyn Barragy rounded out the scoring with two points.

CL 46, Crestwood 33

The Lions held Crestwood to only two points, both from the free throw line, in the second quarter on their way to a 46-33 win in non-conference play Thursday, Jan. 28.

Sophomore Jordyn Barragy had 17 points with five three-pointers while Jessica Faber had 16 points with four three-pointers to lead the Lions.

Coach Bart Smith said his leading scorer Emily Snelling tweaked her knee in the Iowa Falls-Alden win and so he decided to give her rest against Crestwood.  Snelling is “day to day” the rest of the regular season, he added.

Once again the Lions played long ball and once again they were successful, making 11 of 25 three-point attempts.

“We are moving the ball well and getting the best shot possible.  Jessica started for Emily and is playing like she has started all year.  She’s doing just more then scoring.  She is defending and getting rebounds and is turning into a good player for us which will make us even a better team when Emily gets back,” said Coach Smith.  “Jordyn had her best game driving the ball and is finding other ways to score besides the three.”

Defense was also a big part of the Lions’ win.  They held the home team to just two points in the second quarter

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their victory,” said Albertson.

After being outscored 19-14 in the third, the Cardinals settled down and guarded better in the final frame.

“We got some big buckets in the paint and from the arc, and we hit clutch free throws down the stretch to earn a win,” said the coach.

GHV outscored the Bulldogs 34-12 in the paint.

Center Sam Cataldo led the way with 24 points and 10 rebounds.  Payton James ad Johnny O’Conor were also in double figures, scoring 11 and 10 points. James Betz was 2/2 at the line on his way to  seven points and Nick Joynt had six.  Harley Forry drained a three-pointer for his only basket on the night.

GHV 72, Nashua-Plainfield 31

There was no let down by the Cards when they hosted Nashua-Plainfield right after battling Lake Mills the night before.  They dominated, 72-31.

“I was surprised to see how fresh we looked after playing the night before,” said Coach Albertson.  “The boys did a nice job forcing turnovers and scoring in the paint.  We improved on some of our defensive rotations.  All 15 guys made some solid plays to help our team to a win.”

Most of GHV’s points were scored in the paint.  They topped N-P 58-20 from close range and scored 17 points second chance shots compared to three for Nashua-Plainfield.  GHV scored 21 points off turnovers.

The vast majority of the Cards scored in the game, led by Sam Cataldo and Johnny O’Connor with 12 and 10 points.  Ryan Meyers had eight points, Alek Goll scored seven, and James Betz and Logan Dalbeck each had six. Connor Burke and Payton James each put in five points, Holden Hutcheson had four and Turner Albertson added three points.  Jack Van Dusseldorf, Nick Joynt and Ben Baumgard got into the scorebook with two points apiece.

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