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Clovers get second straight win in overtime
CLOVERDALE -- Just when the court had cooled from Friday night's scorcher, the CHS boys' team came out and fired up the hardwood Saturday night. Cloverdale came from behind, forced overtime and shot down the Thunderbirds of North Central 60-57.
"It was a great team win," CHS head coach Pat Rady said following the contest.
The Clovers fell behind in the first half and trailed by six after three quarters.
That's when the burning began. The flame of the previous night's victory that had almost vanished became a roaring inferno that consumed North Central.
Cloverdale's defense stepped up in the final quarter and held the Thunderbirds to four points. More importantly, they held 6-foot-7 Donnie Abrams to zero points after the big man connected for 10 points in the first half.
Jacob Clark connected on his only bucket of the evening at the 4:18 mark in the fourth to knot the game at 47-all. Teammate Eric Kukman gave the Clovers' the lead at 49-47 after sinking two free throws with three minutes to go.
After Bobby Swaby tied the game at 49-all, North Central had two chances to walk out of Cloverdale with the win. Both attempts failed and gave the Clovers' the only opportunity it would need.
As the Clovers took the court in the extra period, it was obvious who was in control of the game. Junior guard Brandon Moon scored seven of his game-high 19 points in overtime, with Kevin Dean and Link Lovins adding two points each. Cloverdale outscored the Thunderbirds 11-8 in the overtime and moved its record to 5-9 on the season, including 1-2 in the WCC.
"North Central is a really fine ballclub. It's also a measuring stick," Rady commented. "It's our third game this week, so it give us an idea. The kids are in pretty good shape because we went to overtime and I think we were still able to play some good defense. Our man-to-man defense was a big factor in the second half.
"We warmed up a little different tonight," he added. "I think when the band is here and the student body, we just play off of that -- it's just really great. I just want to compliment the band and the student body. Last night (Friday) it was a big boost for us."
The Clovers shot 42 percent from the floor and were 78 percent from the line. The Cloverdale defense rose to the challenge and played aggressively, but controlled. They limited the Thunderbirds to only five free throw attempts in the game, including zero attempts in the second have and only one in OT.
Moon led the team with 19 points, while Kukman added 12 and Dean and Lovins chipped in 10 each. Jordan Hayden tossed in three and Chuck Strunk, Jason Salter and Clark added two each.
"The ball had eyes tonight," Rady said smiling. "It got to people that were open and we hit some shots. It was just a great team win and we I say team it also includes our fans. I'm just happy for the players."
The Clovers will travel to South Putnam Friday for a 7:30 p.m. tip.
At Cloverdale
North Central 19 12 14 4 8 -- 57
Cloverdale 13 12 14 10 11-- 60
North Central -- Abrams 13, Swaby 12, Walker 12, Enstrom 7, Stefancik 5, Boyll 4, Rehmel 4. Totals: 24-52 FG 3-5 FT 57 TP.
Cloverdale -- Moon 19, Kukman 12, Dean 10, Lovins 10, Hayden 3, Strunk 2, Salter 2, Clark 2. Totals: 21-50 FG 14-18 FT 60 TP.
Next game -- The Clovers will travel to South Putnam Friday for a 7:30 p.m. tip.