Cloverdale finishes great season with 27-6 record
Midnight finally struck for the Cloverdale Lady Eagles on Saturday, falling at No. 1 seeded St. Bernard’s, 56-44 in the CIF Nor Cal State playoff semifinals in Eureka.
The loss signaled the end of an historic season, giving the Eagles a final season record of 27-6.
“The girls played their hearts out,” CHS coach Rick Berry reflected after the game. “This is an outstanding group of young ladies and it’s been a great privilege to have been a part this team.”
Historic playoff run
One week removed from a second place finish in the North Coast Section Division 5 tournament, Cloverdale took the court as the No. 4 seed in the Nor Cal tourney, opening up at home on Feb. 26 against No. 13 Trinity of Weaverville. The Eagles had the stands rocking with a 13-5 run out of the gate and led 23-15 at the half. Cloverdale gained separation in a great third quarter, stunning the Wolves on a 14-2 run to open up a 20-point cushion. It was all over but the shouting as Cloverdale cruised to a 50-26 rout.
Tehya Bird led the offensive assault with 17 points, nine rebounds and five steals. Other top contributors were Kayli Persons (16 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 7 steals), Ahnna Randolph (9 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals), Faith Holloman (3 points), Alyce Victoriano (2 points), Alyssa Moffett (2 points, 3 assists, 3 steals), Maci Hernandez (1 point, 3 rebounds), Morgan Sceales (7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal) and Kaylee King (4 rebounds).
The win advanced the Eagles to the Nor Cal quarterfinals at home against local playoff rival and No. 5 seed Rincon Valley Christian, which Cloverdale had beaten by 13 a week earlier.
This one would be hotly contested as RVC led 11-7 after one before the Eagles finished the half on a 14-5 run for a five-point lead. Cloverdale led by nine heading into the final period but Persons was sent to the bench after being shaken up on a play.
The visitors refused to go quietly, closing the gap to 42-41 with 16 seconds left. With leading scorer Tehya Bird double covered, Kayli Person hit teammate Maci Hernandez on a perfectly executed back-door pass for a lay-up. RVC’s attempt at a desperation three to tie the game wouldn’t fall in the waning seconds as the Eagles hung on for a 44-41 win. The win kept Cloverdale unbeaten at home this season.
Pacing the attack were Bird (16 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists), Hernandez (7 points, 3 rebounds), Persons (7 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals), King (5 points, 7 rebounds), Randolph (5 points, 2 assists), Morgan Sceales (4 points, 7 rebounds) and Moffett (6 rebounds, 2 assists).
“It was a great game between number four versus five and was what you’d expect, a great defensive battle,” Berry said “Both teams played hard and neither team shot well, but I think defense had something to do with that.”
The Eagles traveled to Eureka for the second straight Saturday to take on No. 1 St. Bernard’s in the Nor Cal semifinals on March 2, hoping to avenge a 20-point loss to the Crusaders in the NCS title game on Feb. 23. Cloverdale started slow to trail 8-3 after one and 21-13 at the half. The Eagles began to whittle away at the deficit to pull within striking distance of 31-26 after three, but it was as close as they’d get the rest of the way as the Crusaders hung on for a 46-34 victory.
“We were within seven points until three minutes left but just couldn’t hit the three,” Berry noted. “We shot 2 for 18 and all were open shots but couldn’t get them to fall. “It was tough traveling three hours to Eureka, it would have been nice to have played on a neutral court,” he added.
Bird finished up a sensational MVP season with a team-high 19 points, nine boards and two assists. Also in the scoring column were Persons (6 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal), Hernandez (5 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals), Randolph (2 points) and Moffett (2 points, 1 rebound, 3 steals).
Big thanks
The team would like to thank Troy Turner and Redwood Empire for providing them a charter bus for both trips to Eureka, with special thanks going out to Katy the bus driver.
