The race for the girls basketball title will be decided this week, as the Lady Eagles make a final push to bring home the league championship pennant.
At press time Cloverdale (11-1, 18-5) was preparing to close out the regular season schedule with a pair of critical road dates, beginning on Feb. 13 at second place Clear Lake (10-2), followed by a Feb. 15 visit to St. Helena. Should the ladies win both games, they’ll be crowned champions of the NCL 1
The girls took another big step toward that end with a pair of recent wins, following up a hard-fought 59-51 victory over Lower Lake with a 60-18 rout against Willits.
The Feb. 6 clash at Lower Lake proved a tough obstacle, with the teams trading first quarter baskets for a 15-all tie after one. The Eagles gained separation in an explosive second period, ripping off a 16-7 run for a 31-18 halftime lead. The Trojans stayed within striking distance in the final two quarters but Cloverdale hung on for a 59-51 win.
Top contributors for the Lady Eagles were Camryn Figueroa (22 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals), Tehya Bird (21 points, 6 boards, 2 assists, 2 steals), Maci Hernandez (8 points, 6 rebounds), Kayli Persons (4 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals), Shaye Stewart (2 points, 6 boards, 4 assists, 1 steal), Catherine Driver (2 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal) and Heather Sterling (1 rebound, 1 assist).
Cloverdale made short work of an overmatched visiting Willits two nights later on Senior Night, racing to a 39-8 halftime cushion en route to a 60-18 rout. Prior to the game the team honored graduating seniors Figueroa, Stewart and Jaedyn Jenkins for their many contributions to the program.
“It was an important win to keep our goal of a league championship alive,” CHS coach Rick Berry said. “It was a very emotional night for our seniors.”
Leading scorers included Stewart (13 points, 5 rebounds), Figueroa (10 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals), Bird (10 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists), Hernandez (10 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist), Persons (8 points, 8 boards, 7 assists, 3 steals), Cassendra Bassett (5 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 steals), Sterling (2 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals).
Eagles keep pace with wins
The varsity boys (17-6 overall) are coming off a strong stretch on the league hard-court, recording home wins over Lower Lake and Willits. The victories kept the Eagles in a tie for second place with Clear Lake and Middletown at 9-3, two back of NCL 1 champion Kelseyville (11-1).
Cloverdale will close out the league schedule at home this week with games against Clear Lake (Feb. 13) and St. Helena (Feb. 15, 7 p.m.).
The Eagles were locked in a tight battle in the Feb. 6 clash with visiting Lower Lake, erasing an 11-10 first-quarter deficit with a 15-8 run in the second for a 25-19 halftime lead. The teams played on even terms in the final two periods as Cloverdale hung on for a 54-48 win.
Freshman Josh Lemley led the attack with 16 points, 12 rebounds and five blocked shots. Other top scorers were Jordan Persons (14 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals), Ross Sceales (12 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assists), Christian Chavez (7 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals), Marcos Jimenez (3 points, 1 assist, 1 steals) and Eli Arreola (2 points, 3 boards, 4 assists).
The Eagles had it all going their way in the Feb. 9 meeting with Willits, putting the clamps on the Wolverines to lead 23-7 at the break. The carnage continued after intermission as Cloverdale powered to a 57-21 win.
Top point producers were Persons (20 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals, 3 blocks), Alex Segobiano (10 points, 6 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block), Lemley (6 points, 6 rebounds, 5 blocks), Sceales (4 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals), Arreola (4 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists), Mario Lopez (4 points, 2 assists), Carlos Rojas (3 points, 1 rebound), Jimenez (2 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 1 steal) and Drew Edens (2 points)
