CHS plays in Bulldog tourney

MONROVIA -- The Cloverdale girls' basketball team earned its fifth win of the season during the Monrovia Christmas Tournament Monday when the Clovers knocked off Bethesda Christian 68-47.

CHS fell in the second game to Monrovia 61-45 later in the day.

"First game against Bethesda we played probably one of our best offensive games of the year," Cloverdale coach Matt Langdon said. "We did a great job driving to the basket and feeding the post inside. Tori Combs had a great game with 19 points and 17 rebounds."

Combs has played well in her freshman season however she was one of four Clovers in double figures. Payton Dorsett scored 13, Abby Walker scored 11 and Haley Hamm netted 10. Cloverdale made eight three-point shots against the Patriots.

"Bethesda had a good offense that could put up some points. Our lead stayed in the teens most of the game. We needed every bit of the 68 to pull away. It was nice to see us put up good point totals for four quarters."

The Clovers had a tougher time against the taller Monrovia who was coming off an overtime time win in the first game of the tournament.

"Monrovia always has a lot of size and we knew we had to try and use that against them and push the ball a lot," Langdon said. "We did not do a good job on the defensive end getting stops and boxing out, which did not allow us to push the ball. A bad second quarter led to a 20-point deficit at halftime."

CHS picked up the pace in the second half and also found a little shooting rhythm but it was not enough to overtake the Lady Bulldogs.

"We tried pressing to start second half. It helped speed up the game for us and we begin to hit some shots. Haley Hamm caught fire in the fourth, hitting four of her game-high eight threes. But we couldn't chip away enough that halftime deficit. We will get a nice full week of practice to prepare for a good Clay City team next Monday."