Sterling scores 32 for JV Eagles in 51-49 loss

Sophomore guard has big fourth quarter
Heather Sterling’s big fourth quarter couldn’t quite save the Cloverdale Eagles, who just missed posting their first North Central League I win of the season Friday in a 51-49 home loss to the Willits Wolverines.
Sterling, a sophomore guard, scored 13 of Cloverdale’s 19 points in the final period as the Eagles tried to make up a 37-30 deficit entering the fourth quarter. She sank two 3-pointers and a 2-point basket in the quarter while also going 5-for-7 from the free-throw line, part of her team-leading total of 32 points.
Overall for the game Sterling had four 3-pointers while going 7-for-8 from the line.
The loss dropped the Eagles to 0-4 in the NCL I standings and 4-10 overall.
In a league game Jan. 11 at Middletown, Cloverdale fell 47-25 to the host Mustangs. Sterling once again led the way with 11 points and Marina Lopez added six. Sterling also had three steals.
For the week of Jan. 16-20, the Eagles were home Jan. 17 against St. Helena and are on the road Jan. 20 to take on Lower Lake.
“We’re a pretty scrappy bunch with a lot of inexperienced players,” Cloverdale coach Mac Butler said.  “We’re improving every game.”
The Eagles recently welcomed back freshman Maci Hernandez to the team after losing her for six games with a knee injury. She made her league debut in the loss to Willits.
“She’s still not 100 percent, but we’re looking forward to having her back,” Butler said.