Clear Lake girls earn post-season honors

Post-season honors are plentiful for members of the Clear Lake girls basketball team.

In addition to being a unanimous First Team All-North Central Conference pick, junior Emily Snelling was named to the Class 3A Northwest Regional team, All-District Team and was a Third Team All-State selection.

Snelling was the Lions’ leading scorer, averaging 17.1 points per game.  She sunk 41 percent of her field goal attempts for a total of 359 points.  She also led the team at the free throw line, connecting on 80 of 109 attempts for 73.4 percent.  Her aggressive play yielded a team-high 102 steals and six blocked shots.

“If there was an MVP of our conference I would believe she would win it,” said Clear Lake Coach Bart Smith.  “Before her injury she was second in the conference in scoring, second in assists, and first in steals.  Her biggest asset is she hates to lose.  Our biggest competitor that loves the game and has a natural ability that we are excited to get back for one more year.”

Sophomore Jordyn Barragy was an All-Region choice, as well as Second Team All North Central Conference selection.  Barragy was the second leading scorer on the team, averaging 10 points per game and scoring 240 points on field goals during the season.   She took the most three-point shots on the team and sank 57 of 166 attempts for 34 percent.  She was among the team leaders with 70 defensive rebounds.

“Jordyn shot the ball very well for us this year.  She was someone we could count on to be a consistent score and elevated her game when Emily was sidelined with an injury,” said Coach Smith.  “Jordyn’s best attribute is she always wants more.  She is very coachable and has a great attitude.  Jordyn will be someone to watch these next two years.”

Senior Erin O’Tool was named to the All-NCC Third Team.  The Lion senior was a defensive specialist for the team, as well as a scoring threat.  She averaged 5.4 points per game for a total of 129 points in 24 games.  She ranked third on the team with 43 steals and 55 assists.  She was second in rebounds with 50 on offense and 54 on defense, averaging 4.3 boards per game.

“Erin didn’t have the eye popping stats that most all conference players have, but she played a very important role for us of being a really good defender,” said Smith.  “Maybe the best in the conference getting the opponents’ top scorer frustrated and taking them completely out of the game.  She loved that role and did it to her best ability.  Every team needs that to be successful.  I hope younger players and parents of those players  in our program recognize this and understand all teams need role players and without them a team can’t be successful.  Erin will be missed, along with Ellie Biebesheimer.  They are two seniors that recognized their talents and the talents of others around them.”

The Iowa Newspaper Association announced its 2016 All-State Girls Basketball teams for Class 5A, 4A, 3A, 2A and 1A Tuesday, naming Mason City’s Makenzie Meyer as Miss Basketball. Meyer is a three-time all-state selection and finished her career with 1,590 points. Leading her team to the Class 4A state championship for the first time, she is the first player from Mason City to receive the Miss Basketball honor.