The Clear Lake girls were able to play two games last week and picked up wins in both. The Lions topped Hampton-Dumont-CAL and Clarion-Goldfield-Dows to improve to 5-2 overall and 3-0 in the North Central Conference. This week the Lions were slated to take on Algona, who is also 3-0 in the NCC, on Tuesday and Fort Dodge tonight (Thursday, Dec. 22).
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The Lions played their first road game in more than two weeks at Hampton Friday, Dec. 9. Although Coach Bart Smith said he thought his team seemed rusty, they posted a solid 53-24 victory over the hapless Bulldogs.
“We started slow and sluggish and we weren’t dictating the tempo,” said Smith. “In the first half we didn’t establish an inside presence. In the second half we did a much better job attacking their zone from the inside out.”
The Lions held the Bulldogs to single digit scoring in each quarter. The lead was 23-9 at the half.
Xada Johnson was a force in the game— especially the second half, and finished with a team-high 16-points and 10 rebounds.
“Xada had a good second half and finished with a double double to give us some momentum coming out of the half to pull away with a conference road win.”
Jordan Mayland and Ayla Johnson each contributed nine points, while Reese Brownlee and Brooklyn Eden had six apiece. Addison Doughan and Madi Ott each scored three points and Carsyn Holland added one.
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The Lions found their groove, both offensively and defensively, on the road at Clarion Tuesday, Dec. 13.
“We were very good at both ends of the court tonight. We had a really good tempo on offense which translated into efficient scoring. We need to continue to play with that type of tempo and rhythm,” said Coach Smith.
The Lions wasted no time taking control of the game. They put 21 points on the board in the first quarter and held a commanding 44-12 lead at the break.
Coach Smith praised his teams’ defensive play, especially Reese Brownlee and Brooklyn Eden.
“Reese and Brooklynn continue to give the other team’s best offensive player problems scoring. Those two and the rest of the team held their best player to half of her average and ended with seven,” he said. “I am very happy with our girls defensively and understanding who is the threat and limiting her touches and scoring opportunities.
The pair also had a good night on offense, with Brownlee putting in 14-points and Eden scoring nine.
Jordan Mayland paced the team with 25-points.
Xada Johnson was also in double figures with 11 coming off the bench. Madi Ott scored four points, Ayla Johnson three, and Annika Nelson and Anna Feuerbach had two-points apiece.
