Clear Lake girls break into rankings at No. 13

(Above) Erin O’Tool looks to get the ball inside for another Lion score against Iowa Fall-Alden.  -Reporter photo by Chris Barragy.

[caption id="attachment_15274" align="alignleft" width="270"] Clear Lake’s Ellie Biebesheimer prepares to take a shot-- and a foul, against Iowa Falls-Alden last week. Biebesheimer scored five points in the Lions’ 51-39 victory.-Reporter photo by Chris Barragy.[/caption]

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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and built a 25-11 halftime lead.

“It gives us confidence coming out of halftime when you can finish the second quarter on that note.  I thought we relaxed in the beginning fourth quarter, but refocused and finished a nice game on the road,” said the coach.

Chloe Mueller had seven points, followed by Erin O’Tool with four and Ellie Biebesheimer with two points.

Barragy and Biebesheimer had seven and six rebounds respectively.

CL 57, C-G-D

Clear Lake continued to roll, picking up a 57-35 win at Clarion Friday, Jan. 29.

“Our half court defense and three-point shooting is really good right now.  We had another good second quarter defensively and made 13 three-pointers on the night,” pointed out Coach Smith.

The Lions leader said he was also pleased to have three players finish in double figures.  Jessica Faber led the way with 17 points, followed by Jordyn Barragy with 14 and Erin O’Tool with 12.  Barragy and O’Tool also pulled down six rebounds apiece to lead the team.

“Everyone is stepping up their game offensively and as a coach its satisfying to me that no one is forcing anything,” said Smith.   “All players are playing to their strengths.  Erin was good all-around and played a really nice game.  Ellie Biebesheimer is playing with more passion and energy.  She had a an effort play at the end of the first half that ended in three points for her the old-fashioned way and just gave us a lot of confidence going into half time.  That effort was matched in the second half and we finished the game right.”

Biebesheimer collected five points and had four steals.  Chloe Mueller was also in the scorebook with nine points and six assists.

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