Web posted
Monday, February 4, 2008
South Haven girls survive cold start
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Photo by Donita Clausen
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By MIKE JOSEPH
Traveler Correspondent
SOUTH HAVEN--There is an old adage, "when the world hands you lemons, go make lemonade." It pretty much described the first quarter for the South Haven Lady Cardinals Saturday afternoon in their 49-45 win over the Norwich Lady Eagles.
The Lady Cardinals didn't score their first field goal of the contest until 7:18 showed on the clock....in the second quarter. However, the Cardinals still held a 10-8 lead before that basket by senior Tina Clausen.
The fact that the Cardinals couldn't convert from the field in the first period was attributed to Norwich fouling on every shot attempt inside. South Haven took advantage, hitting 10 of 12 free throws, including four of four by junior Jordyn Richards.
Following Clausen's three-point play to open the second quarter, South Haven seemed to take control of the game, going up 21-11 with 4:36 left in the half. Back to back baskets by Beth Davidson and Tiffany Cook prompted a timeout by Norwich head coach Craig Rust.
The Eagles responded with a 9-2 run, including a rare four point possession. With 2:38 left, Lisa Poe stole the ball in the South Haven front court. Poe raced to the other end and converted the layup. After the shot went through, Poe was pushed to the floor by Cassie Dvorak, sending Poe to the line, where she converted both free throw attempts, pulling the Eagles within three at 23-20. Poe scored 10 of her game high 20 points in the quarter for the Eagles.
South Haven saw their lead dwindle to one at the half when Tatum Klausmeyer hit a short jumper with time winding down.
Norwich took a quick 28-27 lead in the third period before Clausen hit back to back three pointers giving the Cardinals some breathing room at 33-28 with 4:38 left. Norwich rallied back to trail 36-34 heading into the final period.
Leading 39-37 midway through the final quarter, Breanna McConnell drove to the basket, scored and was fouled. McConnell converted the traditional three-point-play putting the Cardinals back up by five.
Norwich narrowed the gap to 42-41 after Poe hit two free throws after being fouled by Clausen with 3:13 left.
Christa Curl's basket inside off a great pass from Davidson pushed the lead back to three, 44-41 with less than two minutes left. Curl hit three of four free throws down the stretch including two with 52-seconds left giving South Haven a 47-42 lead.
Freshman Molly Poe kept the Eagles within striking distance, hitting a long three-pointer from the top of the key with 29-second left. Following a Norwich timeout, the Cardinals turned the ball over on the inbound. Megan VanGieson's shot from 15-feet caromed off the rim and out of bounds giving the Cardinals possession with 22.2-seconds showing.
Clausen was fouled after receiving the inbound pass and calmly drained both free-throws. Megan Poe attempted another three with time running out but missed. The ball went out of bounds off of South Haven giving the Eagles another chance.
Davidson stole the inbounds pass and passed to Clausen as time expired and the Cardinals secured the win.
Following the game, South Haven head coach David Hughes said, "A win is a win, but we really seemed to be out of sync out there today. Defensively, I know we can play a lot better than we showed today. Offensively, once again, we missed a lot of easy shots and besides a couple shots by Tina, our perimeter game was non-existent."
Clausen led the Cardinals (11-4 overall, 5-2 SCBL) with 14-points and four rebounds. Davidson was also in double figures with 12.
South Haven will host league leading Argonia Tuesday night.
NORWICH- 8 14 12 11--45
SOUTH HAVEN- 10 13 13 13--49
Norwich- L. Poe 20, Klausmeyer 8, Goebel 4, Gardner 3, Turner 3, M. Poe 3, Boydston 2, VanGieson 1, Rust 1
South Haven- Clausen 14, Davidson 12, McConnell 8, Curl 6, Richards 6, Ti. Cook 2, Tr. Cook 1
Above: South Haven Cardinal junior Breanna McConnell (15) reaching for the ball against Norwich.
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