Cloverdale varsity teams continue strong hoops campaigns
Cloverdale High school basketball teams are nearing the halfway mark of the league season this week, with both Eagles squads in control of their own destiny.
The first-place Lady Eagles (13-4, 6-0) are coming off another strong stretch of games on the NCL 1 circuit, scoring wins over Willits (52-25) and second place Clear Lake (49-45).
At press time the ladies were readying themselves for a two-game home stand starting on Jan. 23 against St. Helena, followed by a Friday, Jan. 26 tilt with Middletown (7:30 p.m.).
The varsity boys (12-5, 4-2) gained a split in a pair of recent league road outings, soundly defeating Willits (65-41) before suffering a 56-50 loss at Clear Lake. The Eagles will continue a long road swing this week with games at St. Helena (Jan. 23) and Middletown (Jan. 26, 7:30 p.m.).
Ladies score wins
The Lady Eagles ran their league win streak to six games, beginning with a Jan. 16 visit to Willits. Leading 13-9 after one, Cloverdale busted it wide open with a 17-2 second-quarter run for a commanding 30-11 cushion at the half. The Eagles led by 30 after three on their way to a 52-25 rout.
Sophomore Tehya Bird led the attack with a team-high 23 points, adding 10 rebounds, one assist and three steals. Other top point-producers were Camryn Figueroa (14 points, 8 boards, 3 assists, 6 steals), Marina Lopez (7 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals), Shaye Stewart (4 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals), Kayli Persons (3 points, 5 boards, 3 assists, 2 steals), Heather Sterling (2 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist), Maci Hernandez (2 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist), Catherine Driver (21 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals) and Jaedyn Jenkins (1 assist, 1 steal.
Cloverdale hosted Clear Lake in a battle of league unbeatens on Friday, getting off to a great start to lead 18-5 after one. The Eagles led 22-14 at the half. The Cardinals continued to chip away at the deficit throughout the third quarter, closing the gap to 36-30 after three. The Eagles had to dig deep in the final period, with the Cardinals taking their only lead of the game with two minutes left. Figueroa nailed a huge three-pointer to retake the lead and the Cloverdale defense did the rest en route to a hard-fought, 49-45 win.
Figueroa (19 points, 11 boards, 2 steals) and Bird (19 points, 13, rebounds) shared top scoring honors while other strong efforts were had by Jenkins (4 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists), Persons (3 points, 2 boards, 1 assist, 2 steals), Driver (3 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists) and Stewart (2 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist).
Boys gain split
The Eagles played the rude guest in a Jan. 16 visit to Willits, jumping all over the host Wolverines in taking a 32-16 halftime lead. Cloverdale was never threatened in the final two quarters in powering to a 65-41 victory.
Pacing the Eagles’ offense were Jordan Persons (31 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals), Ross Sceales (11 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal), Josh Lemley (6 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals), Christian Chavez (4 points, 2 boards, 4 assists, 4 steals), Carlos Rojas (3 points), Mario Lopez (2 points, 4 boards, 1 assist, 2 steals), Drew Edens (2 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal) and Marcos Jimenez (2 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist).
The Eagles traveled to Clear Lake in a battle for second place on Jan. 19, playing the Cardinals on nearly even terms in a tight first half to lead 28-25. The boys went cold after intermission, as the Cardinals outscored the Eagles 31-22 in the final two periods on their way to a 56-50 win.
Lemley led the way with 14 points and four rebounds and two blocks, while other top performers included Persons (10 points, 3 boards, 1 assist, 3 steals), Chavez (9 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal), Eli Arreola (9 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals), Sceales (8 points, 3 boards, 1 assist, 2 steals) and Alex Segobiano (7 rebounds, 1 steal).
