by Marianne Gasaway
For the third straight year, the Clear Lake girls basketball team earned a North Central Conference title with a perfect record. The Lions used a 51-36 victory over Humboldt (14-7) Tuesday night to seal the deal. They finished the NCC season with a record of 14-0.
“I’m really proud of our team tonight and sealing up the conference championship,” said Coach Bart Smith. “Humboldt has some really good shooters and scorers and I was really proud of how we defended them all night.”
The Lions held the visiting Wildcats in check throughout the first half with stifling defense. The halftime score was 22-14.
Xada Johnson had an impressive night, putting in 14 points, grabbing 13 rebounds and making five assists.
Seniors Annika Nelson, Jordan Mayland and Carsyn Holland made the most of their final regular season home game. Nelson scored 11 points, Mayland had seven and Holland six. Mayland also dished out four assists and had a team-high six steals.
Sevens were wild for Ayla Johnson. The freshman scored seven and had seven rebounds. Reese Brownlee contributed three points, Madi Ott scored two and Alivia Paine had one-point in the win.
CL 71, St. Ed’s 17
The Lions coasted past winless St. Edmond, 71-17, in a game played Monday, Feb. 6.
The Gaels struggled offensively, shooting at under 20 percent, while the Lions were connecting on just over 50 percent of their shots.
Everyone got in on the action, led by Reese Brownlee with 19-points and Xada Johnson with 15. Jordan Mayland added 10-points, Madi Ott score seven and Ayla Johnson and Carsyn Holland had five apiece. Brooklyn Eden and Lydia Brattrud put in three points each and Annika Nelson and Alivia Paine had two points apiece.
Ott had the most rebounds with six.
The Lions recorded 21 steals in the game, with Mayland and both Johnsons swiping four each.
“We continue to move the ball around and play together offensively,” said Coach Smith. “We had a lot of contributors on the offensive end.”
