Clovers struggle against Cadets

In the early game of a double header, Cloverdale dropped their eighth straight game 52-15 at Cascade High School on Friday night.

The girls began the game at breakneck speed, sprinting out to a hand full of wild shots in the first two minutes. Eventually, Cascade (12-4, 4-0) was able to control the speed of play into their favor when senior center Krista Powell connected on a layup over a multitude of Clover (3-12, 0-3) defenders. The first quarter continued at similar pace, with Cascade converting layups following mounting Cloverdale turnovers. Cascade pushed their lead to 11-0 before a free throw by Sydney Shrum put Cloverdale on the board.

Neither team was especially sharp beginning the second quarter but it was again Cascade who would open the offensive tab. This time it was a layup by sophomore guard Sydney Stein in traffic that would get things going for the Lady Cadets. The teams traded close range buckets and Cloverdale was able to stay in the game at a 22-8 halftime deficit.

"If we could have hit a couple shots, made a couple of those easy layups it probably would have been a six-point game at the half," Cloverdale head coach Matthew Langdon said following the loss.

"We could not throw it in the ocean tonight. It's been a problem all year long."

Langdon made some defensive changes at halftime but Cascade coach Don Helmick outdid them, drawing up plays to find open looks that would help his girls pull away for good in the second half.

"Defensively we did everything we wanted to do," Langdon added. "They are a very good offensive team. Our goal was to hold them under 60 and we did."

Cascade had their best defensive quarter of basketball in the third quarter, allowing just two total points from the visiting Clovers. Stein, who had 15 of the 52 total points, led the Cadets offensively and Powell finished with 12, all in the paint. Paxton Ott scored eight, Courtney Stephenson had seven, Mallorie Smith and Brandyce Sallee each put up four points and Andrea Rivera had two.

Cloverdale's stagnant offense was led by Shrum at five points, Katie Walters with four, Amillia Nally and Katie Faulkerson at two points a piece and Paige Gruener and Bristy Skiles with one each.

The Clovers are back in action again Tuesday night at Rockville High School.

At Cascade

Cloverdale 3 5 2 5 -- 15

Cascade 13 9 11 19 -- 52