Cloverdale logs two wins; qualifies for Nor Cal tourney
The Lady Eagles added a pair of North Coast Section basketball wins to an already remarkable 2018-19 campaign, easily dispatching playoff foes Roseland University Prep and Bentley to advance to the tournament semifinals.
At press time the No. 2 Eagles (24-4) were preparing to host No. 3 Rincon Valley Christian on Wednesday, Feb. 20 in a 7 p.m. tip-off. Should Cloverdale win, it will set up an NCS championship clash with the survivor of No. 1 St. Bernard’s versus No. 4 University on Saturday, Feb. 23 (time and location to be determined).
Also on the horizon is a secure spot in the CIF Nor Cal State Playoff Tournament, reserved for the top four teams in each section. The CIF seeding committee meets this Sunday and the tournament starts next week.
Eagles soar in playoffs
Cloverdale came out focused and ready for the NCS Division 5 playoff opener against visiting No. 15 Roseland University Prep on Feb. 13, racing to a 28-14 halftime lead. The Eagles held the Knights to just nine points after intermission in powering to a 56-23 rout.
Tehya Bird paced the offense with 20 points, 15 rebounds, one assist and one steal. Other top contributors were Catherine Driver (11 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals), Kayli Persons (7 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, 5 steals), Marina Lopez (6 points, 2 rebounds, 1 steal), Alyssa Moffett (5 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals), Kaylee King (2 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steal), Morgan Sceales (2 points, 1 rebound), Ahnna Randolph (2 points, 2 rebounds), Maci Hernandez (1 point, 4 rebounds, 1 assist), Faith Holloman (1 rebound) and Janaye Hammond (1 steal).
Saturday’s NCS quarterfinal tilt with No. 7 Bentley was more of the same, as the Eagles’ suffocating defense held the visiting Phoenix to singles digits in each quarter en route to a 52-25 romp.
Leading the Cloverdale scoring barrage were Bird (17 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist), Persons (11 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 7 steals), Hernandez (9 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal), Moffett (7 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist), Lopez (5 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals), Driver (4 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 5 steals), King (3 points, 1 rebound, 1 steal), Sceales (3 rebounds, 1 steal) and Randolph (1 rebound, 2 assists).
