Moore, Clovers clamp down on Eels in 80-50 hoops win

Cloverdale junior Marquise Moore (22, light jersey) drives in for a fast break layup against Eminence on Tuesday, leaping over senior Casey Brock. Moore had 30 points and seven steals. (Banner Graphic/GRANT WIEMAN)

CLOVERDALE -- Junior Marquise Moore had 30 points and seven steals to help the Cloverdale boys' basketball team beat visiting Eminence on Tuesday 80-50.

Moore was joined in double figures by freshman Cooper Neese, who had 18. It's the third time in as many games that the CHS duo has both scored at least 10 points.

Junior Brantson Scott had 19 points for the Clovers.

The win pushed Cloverdale (3-0) to its best start since 2004-05 when the team started 6-0.

Led by Neese's hot shooting in early, the Clovers hopped out to a 28-14 lead after the first quarter.

CHS assisted on nine of its 11 first quarter field goals. One of the other two was a put-pack layup by junior Brantson Scott.

"The balls got to move," Rady said. "You've got to have more assists than turnovers, which we have been doing."

The Eels (1-1) adjusted their defense in the second quarter, laying back to try to prevent the Clovers from fast-breaking on every possession. Cloverdale struggled to adjust, holding the ball in their half court offense and giving up a 12-2 run to start the period.

Inspired by the school's energetic cheerblock, Rady said, the Clovers upped their energy and aggression late in the quarter. Neese and Moore scored all 10 points in the second for CHS and both capitalized on an and-one continuation.

"They changed their defense and we didn't react quick enough," Rady said. "Eminence is well coached. We knew were going to be in a dog fight."

The Clovers came out firing in all facets in the third quarter, sinking seven of their first eight shots. They allowed the Eels just three total rebounds in the third.

Cloverdale had struggled at times in its first two games combining defensive pressure on the perimeter with rebounding on the interior, but it seemed to find an answer Tuesday.

Junior Brandon Hughes, making his first varsity start, crashed the boards from the weak side of the defense and had eight rebounds in the game. Scott had eight boards.

"We went back-and-forth with different defense to try to get them out of rhythm," Rady said. "I don't want to back off. I'd rather have (aggressiveness)."

With the rebounds established, Moore was able to get aggressive on the perimeter, jumping into passing lanes, coming away with steals and attacking the basket.

He was nine-for-nine on his second-half field goal attempts, seven of them on layups. He was 13-for-19 in the game. Neese was 6-for-15 with five rebounds and a block.

Senior Brandon Dorman had nine points on 4-for-6 shoot, four assists and four rebounds.

The Clovers finished the game 32-for-57 from the field.

Senior Cody Rumbaugh led Eminence with 12 points and six rebounds. Senior Casey Brock had five points and five assists.

Cloverdale is off until Friday when plays host Greencastle in the Putnam County Classic at 6:30 p.m.

Eminence (50):
Rumbaugh 5-10 2-4 12, Hammett 4-13 0-0 8, Ringler 3-7 0-2 7, Brock 2-4 0-0 5, Holley 2-6 0-2 4, Martin 3-7 0-0 8, Smith 2-4 0-0 4, Bredlow 1-2 0-0 0, Morgan 0-1 0-0 0, Decker 0-1 0-0 0. Total 23-55 2-8 50.