LOWER LAKE >> Taylor Helms poured in 29 points and Valerie Hutton added another 20, including five 3-pointers, as the Clear Lake Cardinals parlayed a big first quarter into a 70-57 victory over the Lower Lake Trojans in North Central League I varsity girls’ basketball action on Tuesday night in Lower Lake.
Clear Lake (4-3 league, 11-7 overall) opened the game with a 10-0 run and never looked back. The Cardinals led 23-11 after one quarter, nearly the difference in the game.
“It’s hard to spot a team 10 points just like that, especially in a game you end up losing by 13,” Lower Lake coach Bryce Brin said of the Trojans’ rough start.
Corin Alakszay joined teammates Helms and Hutton in double figures with 11 points and Camille Donald had eight.
Helms is 42 points shy of 1,000 for her career.
Jolean Scarborough scored a season-best 19 points in a losing cause for the Trojans (2-5, 10-9), who have lost four straight in league play. Aleia Milano added 12 points and Kaitlyn Farrell had nine.
Lower Lake did win the junior varsity game 40-39 to improve to 7-0 in the league standings. Both teams entered play at 6-0. Vanessa Hughes led the Trojans with 22 and Grace Davidson had 15 for Clear Lake.
