Clovers place 4th at Clinton Prairie Tournament

Cloverdale senior Sydney Shrum drives in for a layup against Clinton Prairie senior Stephanie Schrock. Shrum made her shot and was fouled. (Banner Graphic/GRANT WIEMAN)

FRANKFORT -- The Cloverdale girls' basketball team came out flat after a 10-day layoff, finishing in fourth place at Friday's Clinton Prairie Tournament after losses to the hosts and Hagerstown.

The Clovers played some of their best basketball of the season in the second half of game one against Clinton Prairie, but it wasn't enough to overcome the 22-point halftime deficit as the Gophers won 48-36.

Cloverdale was outrebounded 22-7 in the first half, and turned the ball over 13 times.

The team also made just three-of-20 shots before the break.

The Clovers emerged from halftime with energy, playing almost four minutes before getting a turnover in the third quarter.

As Cloverdale head coach Matthew Langdon dipped into his more inexperienced bench to save his starters energy for game two, the play got a little sloppier, but the still cut into the lead.

In the end, lack of scoring threats with too little time to make up the difference.

"We came out slow in the first game," Langdon said. "In the second half we played good man-to-man and we wanted to ball more ... I hoped we could bring that energy to the second game. (I knew) if we play like that, we have a chance (against Hagerstown)."

It wasn't to be. The team came out flat again, scoring just five first-quarter points. They failed to make a dent the rest of the game and the Tigers secured a 39-27 win.

Hagerstown junior Hayley Rogers scored 18 points in the win.

Senior Amillia Nally, the Clovers most consistent player on Friday, scored 10 points.

Cloverdale was allowed Hagerstown to attempt nearly twice as many field goals (48-26) during the course of the game.

The Clovers defense that has been pressuring opponents into turnovers all year let the team down. The Tigers had just eight in the game, and two in the second half.

"Our offense feeds off our defense," Langdon said. "We didn't do what we need to do."

Langdon said he was disappointed with the effort, but he hopes it was a product of the long layoff and not a sign of things to come.

In addition to the big break, the Clovers also expanded their rotation. Normally the team only gives seven players significant minutes, but Langdon said he realized he is going to need to find a way to keep his starters fresh as the postseason tournament approaches.

"I'm trying to get the starters more time out (of the game)," he said. "If we're going to be a pressing team the whole game, we're going to need to get our starters more of a break."

Cloverdale will carry a five-game losing streak with it when the team hosts South Vermillion on Jan. 3.

Notes: Eastern won the tournament championship game against Clinton Prairie, 59-43 ... Sophomore Bailee Stevens missed the tournament as she recovers from an injury, but she is expected to return in the Clovers next game ... Cloverdale (4-9) had a .500 record before the recent skid.

Cloverdale senior Amillia Nally splits through Hagerstown defenders to get to the basket for a layup. (Banner Graphic/GRANT WIEMAN)

At Clinton Prairie
Game 1
Cloverdale 5 2 13 16 -- 36
Clinton Prairie 13 16 11 8 -- 48