Confident Clovers clobber Turkey Run

Cloverdale junior Laura Worthington leaps above the crowd to haul in an offensive rebound in the second half.

PENN -- Led by the aggressive play of guards Bailee Stevens and Payton Dorsett, the Cloverdale girls' basketball team won a tough, short-handed road game at Turkey Run on Monday 49-36.

Stevens, a junior, had 16 points before fouling out in the final few minutes and Dorsett, a sophomore, finished with eight points but got the Clovers going after trailing early.

"Offensively we did a lot of things good tonight," CHS coach Matthew Langdon said. "We've had girls that are more confident to shoot. We've had girls that are driving more. ... If we get all the starters looking to score and work out the kinks on defense we could be tough."

The Clovers, without two of their top forwards, started a five guard lineup for the second time this year and battled in the post against a physical team of Warriors.

Cloverdale (2-5) had more rebounds in the first half -- 20-18 -- against the more traditional Turkey Run (1-5) lineup. Junior Laura Worthington led CHS with 10 boards.

The Clovers trailed 9-6 late in the first quarter when Dorsett took command their offense, driving to the lane, drawing a foul and finishing another layup to put her team ahead 11-10 after the first.

"Payton Dorsett had a great game tonight," Langdon said. "When she gets into the paint she is very dangerous. I thought she had kind of a breakout game. She did a lot of good things tonight."

Following Dorsett's lead, Stevens knocked down a 3 early in the second quarter and starting driving to the basket herself to spark a run that put the Clovers up by seven at halftime. The team's 17-point second quarter was the most in any quarter for the team this year.

With the lead in hand, the Clovers set to playing some of their best perimeter defense of the season in the second half. Turkey Run was just 7-for-26 from the field in the second half and the CHS lead continued to expand as a result.

Were it not for a deficit on the boards, the undersized Clovers likely would have built an even bigger lead.

"When you're small, it takes full focus," Langdon said. "We're trying to work some more people and get some guards some two minute breaks and I think that will help."

The Clovers played well and efficiently, turning the ball over just nine times. Sophomore Kimmy Winders had another solid game, finishing with six points on six shots, dishing two assists and grabbing six rebounds.

Sophomore Rachel Grayless led the Warriors with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Senior Jordan Goddard had eight points and 13 rebounds. Sophomore Sydni Bowling had five assists and six rebounds.

Cloverdale is off until Monday when it hosts Eminence at 7 p.m. before beginning West Central Conference play on Friday against Greencastle.

Cloverdale (49):
Stevens 7-15 1-2 16, M Helterbrand 3-18 0-0 8, Dorsett 3-7 1-3 8, Worthington 3-8 1-2 7, Winders 2-6 1-1 6, K Helterbrand 2-6 0-0 4, Huge 0-0 0-0 0. Total 20-60 4-8 49.