FORT BRAGG — The toughest draw in the first-round of the Fort Bragg Tournament definitely went to the Clear Lake High School varsity girls basketball team on Tuesday afternoon as the lady Cardinals went up against the Windsor Jaguars.
“They moved the ball well and they made shots,” Clear Lake head coach Phil Psalmonds said of the Jaguars as Clear Lake went on to drop a 57-36 decision.
Clear Lake (3-6) plays the loser of Tuesday’s first-round game between Fort Bragg and Round Valley in the consolation semifinals Wednesday at noon. The tournament runs through Thursday.
“We switched to a 1-2-2 zone in the second half and played much better,” Psalmonds said. “Of course by then not all of their starters were still in the game.”
Windsor used a 23-6 second quarter to open up a 38-14 halftime lead.
A number of Clear Lake’s losses have come against large-school opponents, the caliber of which the Cardinals won’t face during their upcoming North Central League I schedule.
“We’re not dead yet,” Psalmonds said. “We’ll be OK.”
Sierra Bruch’s 12 points paced the Cardinals. Montana Wells and Abby Mertle added six points apiece while Amber Smart and Sydney Howe each had five. Smart had Clear Lake’s lone 3-pointer.
