Early deficit costly for Clovers in loss to WeBo

CLAYTON - The Cloverdale Clovers dug themselves a big hole early and fell just short with a big rally at Cascade High School in Class 2A Sectional 44 play on Tuesday night.

The Western Boone Stars defeated the Clovers 56-50 to advance to the semi-final game against South Putnam on Friday. The Clovers got behind by as many as 18 points in the second quarter, but cut the lead to just two points with :19 left to play, but it was not enough as their season came to a close. The Clovers finished the year with a 17-6 record.

“It was really about our start. We got down 16, 18 points and had no momentum whatsoever,” Cloverdale head coach Matthew Langdon said.

Cloverdale struggled to protect the basketball, committing 21 turnovers to just 13 for the Stars. Western Boone also went to the free throw line 21 times, making 16 of them, while Cloverdale only converted on 4 of 9 from the stripe.

The Clovers kept themselves in the game from behind the three-point arc, hitting 10 of 24 from long range including five from senior Abby Walker.

Western Boone’s Madison Jones set the tone in the first quarter. She scored 11 of her game-high 17 points in a variety of ways. The junior guard hit two from long range, an old-fashioned three-point play and from the line, converting 3 of 3 from the line. The Stars also out rebounded the Clovers 11-5 in the quarter and led 18-7 heading into the second period.

“We wanted to control her (Jones), but she is an excellent player. She was able to get loose and get to the line early,” Langdon said.

It went from bad to worse for the Clovers in the second quarter.

Western Boone went on a 10-3 run to start the period and got its lead up to 28-10 before the Clovers were able to get on track and cut it down to a 32-20 halftime deficit.

Walker led the way with two threes in the period, but the Stars’ full-court press still bothered the Clovers and limited their shot attempts by forcing six turnovers.

“We have had problems with the press all year. We just weren’t able to find a press breaker that worked for us. That is on me, we have to get better at that,” Langdon said.

The Clovers began chipping away in the third quarter. They were able to protect the ball and free up Walker for a couple more from behind the arc. They were able to get Sammie Shrum loose also as she picked up seven of her team-high 16 points in the third quarter. Cloverdale was able to solve Jones’ scoring as she was held scoreless in the quarter, but her teammates stepped up. Two big treys by Kara Brewer kept the Stars up by double digits as they led 46-36 heading into the final quarter.

“We wanted to close down Jones and force some others to beat us. They were able to do that. That is a tip of the cap to them,” Langdon said.

Cloverdale cut the lead in half to start the final stanza. A Shrum layup and another Walker 3-pointer forced Western Boone to call a timeout with its lead down to 46-41 early in the quarter. Cloverdale continued to battle and eventually closed within two points at 52-50 on two Arianna McCracken free throws with :19 left on the clock. Western Boone went to the line and missed both free throws, but the Stars were able to corral the rebound on the miss and force another Clover foul.

This time, Brewer stepped up and hit both free throws to boost the lead back to four points at 54-50. The Clovers couldn’t convert on their end at the line, and Western Boone closed out with another couple from the stripe to end the Clover season.

“Just like all year long, we get down 15, 18 points and you think there is no chance to come back and then we make a run and have a chance to win late in the game. That shows just how much fight this group has,” Langdon said.

Western Boone’s Jones led all scorers with 17 points. She was supported by Lauryn Florey with 15 points and Brewer with 11. Shrum led the Clovers with 16 points and Walker added 15, all from 3-point land.

“Abby is such a big part of this program. Since she got here in the eighth grade she has been the heart of this. She will go down as one of the best three-point shooters in this era of Cloverdale girls’ basketball,” Langdon said.

WESTERN BOONE (56) – Brewer 3-11 2-2 11, Reed 1-7 4-4 6, Klingensmith 1-6 0-0 2, Jones 5-9 5-6 17, Florey 5-10 4-4 15, Randolph 0-0 1-2 1, Raby 2-3 0-3 4. Totals 17-46 FG, 16-21 FT, 56 TP.

CLOVERDALE (50) – Shrum 6-15 2-3 16, Thomas 1-8 0-0 3, Combs 4-6 0-1 8, Price 0-1 0-2 0, Walker 5-8 0-0 15, McCracken 1-5 2-3 5, Wade 1-2 0-0 3. Totals 18-45 FG, 4-9 FT, 50 TP.

Western Boone 18 14 14 10 — 56

Cloverdale 7 13 16 14 — 50

3-Point Shooting — WB 6-13 (Brewer 3-7, Reed 0-1, Jones 2-4, Florey 1-1), CHS 10-24 (Shrum 2-6, Thomas 1-7, Walker 5-8, McCracken 1-2, Wade 1-2). Rebounds – WB 31 (Brewer 2, Reed 1, Klingensmith 9, Jones 5, Florey 3, Randolph 2, Raby 1) CHS – 29 (Shrum 7, Thomas 6, Combs 11, Price 2, Walker 1, McCracken 1) FG Pct. – WB 37.0, CHS 40.0. FT Pct. – WB 76.2, CHS 44.4. Turnovers – WB 13, CHS 21.