Cloverdale falls to Owen Valley by 18

Monday, January 28, 2008

SPENCER -- Not even a superb offensive performance in the second half could lift Cloverdale over Class 3A powerhouse Owen Valley. The Clovers dropped to 7-10 on the season, losing to the Patriots 77-59.

After struggling the first half, Cloverdale came out in the second half and proceeded to attack the Patriots.

Senior Craig Blair set the tone early, attacking the rim, thus beginning the Clovers second half onslaught. Blair shot 4-of-6 from the field and 6-of-8 from the charity stripe in the third quarter. Cloverdale equaled the Patriots 19 points in the third quarter.

Cloverdale guard Brandon Moon throws up a prayer against an Owen Valley defender. Moon scored 15 points in the Clovers' 77-59 loss.

The fourth quarter was even more impressive for the Clovers, as the scored 21 in the quarter, shooting 9-of-13 from the floor, including 1-1 from the free throw line. Blair continued his strong second half performance, connecting on 5-of-6 shots. Of Cloverdale's 40-second half points, Blair contributed 25 of said points. As a team, the Clovers shot 63 percent from the field and went 7-of-9 from the free throw line.

As good as the second half was for the Clovers, the first half was a struggle at best.

Blair picke up his first foul of the game just four seconds into the game and was sent to the bench at the 5:46 mark after picking up his second foul of the evening. After losing the senior, Cloverdale kept close to the Patriots with buckets from Raine Young, Brandon Moon and Ryan Dean. The Clovers trailed 17-11 at the end of one.

Moon attempted to jump-start the Cloverdale offense by draining a trey 20 seconds into the second quarter. Unfortunately for the Clovers the rim went cold as they shot a dismal 18 percent from the floor on their way to an eight-point quarter.

The Patriots on the other hand scored 17 in the second behind a 10-point performance from Dayton Gobert.

As the buzzer sounded signaling the end of the first half, Cloverdale went to the locker room trailing 34-19.

For the game, Cloverdale shot 43 percent from the field and 77 percent from the charity stripe. Owen Valley converted 53 percent from the floor and 67 percent from the line.

In junior varsity action, the Clovers fell to the Patriots 50-41.

Cloverdale will next travel to Speedway for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off Friday.

At Owen Valley

Cloverdale 11 8 19 21 -- 59

Owen Valley 17 17 19 24 -- 77

Cloverdale -- Blair 9 8-11 26, Moon 5 0-0 13, Young 4 0-0 10, R. Dean 3 0-0 6, K. Dean 0 2-2 2, Randall 1 0-0 2. Totals: FG 22-51 FT 10-13 TP 59.

Owen Valley -- Gobert 7 4-5 18, Stahl 5 3-4 16, Vest 6 1-3 15, Lientz 3 6-7 13, Campbell 5 1-2 11, Collier 1 0-0 2, Gilstrap 1 0-0 2. Totals: FG 28-53, FT 10-21 TP 77.

3pt. FG -- OV 5 (Stahl 3, Lientz, Vest), CHS 5 (Moon 3, Young 2). Total fouls -- OV 11, CHS 16.

Junior varsity game

Owen Valley 50, Cloverdale 41.

Next game -- Cloverdale will next travel to Speedway at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

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