LOWER LAKE — Kaila Sterbank scored 20 points, including three 3-pointers, and Mori Jordan added a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds as the Clear Lake Cardinals beat the Upper Lake Cougars 40-33 in first-round action at the Lake County Tournament for varsity girls” basketball teams in Lower Lake.
Katy DeVries” 18 points and 17 rebounds powered the Cougars (3-7), who led 18-17 at halfitme. The Cardinals (5-3) took a 29-26 lead into the final period.
“Jordan really came alive in the second half,” Clear Lake coach Jennifer Goff said. “That”s when she had seven of her points.”
Sterbank hit two big 3-pointers in the third quarter to get Clear Lake”s offense going in the second half.
While DeVries had a productive night for the Cougars, Goff said the Upper Lake center might have scored a lot more if not for the defense of Rylie Gabehart.
“Gabehart did a nice job on DeVries,” Goff said. “She”s 6-1 or 6-2, a tough girl to guard.”
Upper Lake struggled from the perimeter all night, according to Upper Lake coach Donnie Meri.
“We didn”t make anything from outside of 15 feet,” Meri said. “Our outside shooters had only four points.”
Upper Lake also went 0-for-10 from 3-point range.
“We missed our share of 2-footers too,” Meri said.
Lower Lake 47, Middletown 39
A 30-22 first half for Lower Lake proved to be the difference in the game as the Trojans (3-8) defeated the Middletown Mustangs (5-4) in a first-round varsity contest.
Darlena White and Veronica Wilder scored 12 points apiece to pace the Trojans, who outscored the Mustangs 17-10 in the second quarter. April White added eight points.
Kelsey Guzman”s 13 points led the Mustangs. Jenny McGee and Emily Beckwith chipped in with eight points apiece.
