Struggling to get a second W this season, the Cleveland varsity girls fell to visiting Granada-Huntley-East Chain/Truman/Martin Luther 59-47 on January 9.
The Clippers didn’t get their passing under control, missed layups and were off target from behind the arc.
“Plays in the first half were exactly what we wanted to do,” said head coach Joe Remiger. “We got the open shots. Tonight, they weren’t falling. If we hit a few of those in a 12-point game, it is something different.”
A day earlier, they traveled to Wells, where the red-hot shooting USC Rebels dominated 65-29. On the Friday after, they fell to host Faribault Bethlehem Academy 65-33, and on Tuesday, they lost to Martin County West in Trimont 50-31.
GHEC/T/ML came out of the gate with a couple of threes. Addi Holden bagged a three for the Clippers, but the Jags hit a free throw and another three to lead 10-3.
Taylor McCabe filched the ball at half court and put in a layup for the start of an 8-point Clipper spurt. Ava Hahn stole and drove the court for a layup, and McCabe made a quick steal under the Clipper rim and put it back up for a basket. After Holden put in a running jump shot from the baseline, the Clippers led 11-10.
But with McCabe sidelined with three fouls, the Jags posted 17 of the next 18 points. Emma Kortuem and Hahn stole and made layups down the stretch, and Hahn put in a couple of free shots after she made a steal in the Clipper court and got fouled, but the Clippers were behind by a dozen, 30-18, at halftime.
With eight Kortuem points and seven more from McCabe and Hahn, the Clippers kept up with the Jags in the second half and outscored them down the stretch but couldn’t surmount the dozen-point shortfall.
“With six minutes left, I felt like they could have thrown in the towel,” Remiger said. “We took a time out, and I told them I am proud of them for keeping the intensity up. They were gassed from running up and down the court. That is the kind of basketball we’re going to have to play if we’re going to compete.”
With 13 points, Hahn led the effort. Kortuem totaled a dozen points with half of them coming from behind the arc. Taylor McCabe had 11 points. Holden had eight points including the Clippers’ only other three. Mollie Bowman made one basket, and Lacey McCabe put in a free throw.
The Clippers were eight of 15 from the free throw line. The Jags scored 24 points from three-point territory and made 11 of 19 foul shots.
“We had 16 or so turnovers. We need to clean that up,” Remiger said.
USC 65, Cleveland 29
Host USC beat the Clippers 65-29. The Rebels were in front 38-18 at the break.
No Clipper hit double figures. With three baskets from the floor and a pair of fee shots, Lacey McCabe totaled eight points. Hahn and Taylor McCabe each added six points. Bowman had a pair of first-half baskets for four total points. Harper Rutz had a first half basket for two total points. Kortuem chipped in a first-half free throw.
Taylor McCabe put in the Clippers’ only three. They were four of 10 from the foul line. The Rebels bagged eight threes and made nine of 16 free shots.
The Clippers travel to Nicollet tonight (Thursday) for a 7:00 game. Earlier in the season, the Clippers fell to the Raiders 70-58.
Above: Ava Hahn leaps to catch a pass during the game against GHEC/T/ML The Clippers had trouble keeping the Jags from intercepting all night.
