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Moore, Wilkes keys to attack for Clovers in win over Southmont
CLOVERDALE — Cloverdale trailed visiting Southmont 21-12 after one quarter on Saturday night in boys’ high school basketball, but turned up its defensive intensity and bounced back for a 69-61 win for its first victory of the year.
“Defensively, we turned up the pressure a little bit,” coach Patrick Rady said. “We were tracing the ball [in the first quarter] and letting them whip the ball around. They have some really good shooters, and to be able to put some pressure on them and make passes where they’re not straight-line passes allowed us to close out on the shooters.”
Cloverdale scored the first eight points of the game.
Jake Wilkes, honoring the first birthday of his father after his passing earlier this year, sandwiched a pair of treys around a Jalen Moore basket to get the Clovers off to a good start.
The Mounties dominated the rest of the period, though, outscoring the Clovers 21-4 over the rest of the period.
The combo of Wilkes and Moore helped the Clovers get back in it in the second period. Wilkes sandwiched a pair of baskets around two Moore free throws for another 8-0 run to open the quarter, and the Clovers trailed only 21-18.
Led by two baskets each from Cam Chadd and Justin Howard, the Mounties increased that lead back to 30-23.
Cloverdale then got nine straight points to take its first lead since the opening minutes of the game, as Moore had a pair of treys and a two-pointer and Parker Watts added a free throw for a 32-30 lead.
Southmont’s Ty Williams scored a basket late in the half to force a 32-32 tie at the intermission.
The Clovers had a nearly perfect performance in the third period, hitting 9 of 13 field goals (including 4 of 8 from 3-point range) and both of its free throw attempts.
The Clovers made just one turnovers in the period, and outscored the Mounties 24-10 to take a 56-42 lead at the final stop.
Chadd, one of Southmont’s leading scorers, played only briefly in the first few minutes of the half and did not return to the game. He was not in foul trouble and did not appear to be injured.
Helping to take up the slack was Howard, who finished with 20 points to pace Southmont.
Howard scored 16 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter, including a flurry of free throws and treys that helped Southmont cut the lead to 60-54 with 1:59 to play.
The combo of Moore and Wilkes responded by scoring its team’s next seven points for a 67-57 lead in the final minute and the Mounties could not get closer than the final score.
Symbolism was running rampant for Cloverdale, as Moore (wearing uniform No. 34) scored 34 points and Wilkes (No. 24) scored 24 points.
Jake Kelley added a pair of third-quarter treys that helped the Clovers to build their big lead.
Watts had three points and several rebounds in a reserve role.
“That was Parker’s best game playing defense and rebounding,” Rady said. “He got more time in this game because of his defensive effort. He’s better off the dribble.
“Nick used his hands very well,” Rady added. “Jake shot the three very well, and he gave us a great inside-outside game.”
Rady was glad his team was able to pick up its first win, and build some momentum as conference play continues on Friday at Indian Creek.
“Coach [Karl] Turk reminded our guys they were on a three-game losing streak, counting the regional last year,” he said. “We lost both games on this weekend last year, and it’s good to build momentum moving forward.”
SOUTHMONT (61) — Chadd 4-10 0-0 10, Scheidler 3-8 0-0 7, Wemer 4-8 3-6 11, Howard 7-10 4-5 20, Williams 3-6 3-4 9, VanCleave 1-2 2-4 4, Clancy 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 22-44 FG, 12-19 FT, 61 TP
CLOVERDALE (69) — Momore 12-23 7-9 34, Winders 1-3 0-0 2, Wilkes 9-11 2-3 24, Miller 0-0 0-0 0, J.Kelley 2-5 0-0 6, N.Kelley 0-3 0-0 0, Watts 1-2 1-2 3. Totals 25-47 FG, 10-12 FT, 69 TP
Southmont 21 11 10 19 — 61
Cloverdale 12 20 24 13 — 69
3-point shooting — Southmont 5-16 (Chadd 2-5, Scheidler 1-5, Wemer 0 -1, Howard 2-2, Williams 0-1, VanCleave 0-2); Cloverdale 9-24 (Moore 3-9, Winders 0-2, Wilkes 4-4, J.Kelley 2-5, N.Kelley 0-1, Watts 0-1).