Clovers top Covenant Christian, advance to sectional title game

Cloverdale senior Marquis Moore puts up a layup Friday against Covenant Christian. The Clovers face Cascade Saturday evening for the sectional title. (Banner Graphic/JAY LOCKETT)

SPEEDWAY- It took all four quarters and an entire team effort but Cloverdale managed the win 50-46 thanks to free throw shooting in the fourth. While Cloverdale led the entire way the lead never felt safe and the game was up for grabs near the end of regulation.

However free throws from seniors Marquise Moore, freshman Jalen Moore, sophomores Cooper Neese and Duke Duff secured the victory. Cloverdale will play Cascade in the championship round on Saturday.

"It was a great win," Clover coach Pat Rady said. "We just persevered. We played with a lot of heart and a lot of determination. If you started with one, you'll have to name all of them that played. They all contributed."

The game started intense with both teams playing a fast-paced offense and attacking the basket. However it was Cloverdale jumping out to a 19-10 lead after one quarter.

CHS senior Marquise Moore was getting it done from the floor and the line, with eight in the first.

Senior Brantson Scott added four and sophomore Duke Duff nailed a three. In the second, freshman Jalen Moore got the ball rolling knocking in two threes for the Clovers. Marquise Moore and Scott each added six to keep the Clovers in the lead 32-21.

After halftime the fast paced offensive game turned into a defensive standoff with each team being stingy with points. The Warriors got the better end of the quarter, outscoring Cloverdale 10-6. Marquise scored four and an unusually quiet K.J. Coleman scored two.

Coleman may have been quiet on the scoring front, but defensively he, Scott and sophomore Cooper Neese set the tone defensively in the low post. They fought through the physical quarter fighting for every rebound and lose ball.

"We just had trouble getting going again," Rady said. "The shots were good shots, but they didn't fall like they did in the first half. The defense kept us in the game. Sometime when the ball isn't falling you've still got to do the other things. That's what they did."

Though the lead had dwindled to 38-31 to start the fourth the Clovers were in good shape. Covenant Christian managed to make some threes to draw it close but foul shots from the Clovers were enough to seal the postseason win.

"I'm very proud of my teammates and coaches," Marquise Moore said. "The fans hype us up so much. I'm just very proud to be moving to the next round."

Rady says he too was impressed with the fan support who roared and cheered their Clover team to victory.

"Our crowd was tremendous," Rady said. "We just hope we can bring the trophy home to our crowd because they came in groves. The Speedway administration was saying that they couldn't believe the crowd we had. Cloverdale fans are special.

Now the Clovers will face Cascade who won their own nailbiter against Monrovia.

"We'll have to play as a team," CHS senior Tyler Lotz said. "All 13 of us that dress all really need to just stay together and work hard in practice."

IHSAA sectional 44