CLIFTON — Winning for the second time in three games, the Clifton Lady Cub girls basketball team rallied late to shock the Keene Lady Chargers, 31-26, last Friday night in the Clifton High Gymnasium.
Entering the game knowing they had been officially eliminated from postseason contention, the Lady Cubs started slow as Keene jumped out to a commanding 14-5 first quarter lead.
In what proved to be a defensive struggle, the Lady Chargers still held a 20-14 advantage going into the final period. But Clifton responded to outscore Keene, 17-6, in the fourth as the Lady Cubs sank key free throws down the stretch to steal the victory.
“Friday’s game was a great team effort,” Clifton girls basketball head coach Whitney Holdbrook said. “Everyone was focused in on the defensive game plan and executed their jobs. The girls had a strong fourth quarter offensively, capitalizing on opportunities they were given.”
Senior Kamryn Kettler produced a double-double to lead the Lady Cubs with 15 points and 12 rebounds, followed by senior Daniella Gaona with 10. Senior Sutton Finney dished out a team-high five assists and came up with two steals, while senior Josephine Burke pulled down eight boards.
In other District 17-3A action last Friday night, ninth-ranked Grandview crushed Rio Vista, 60-18, 25th-ranked Whitney dominated Harmony School of Innovation, 61-32, and Maypearl took over sole possession of second place with a convincing 54-41 victory over West.
The Lady Cubs (4-7 in district, 13-17 overall) hit the road to take on ninth-ranked Grandview (10-1, 26-4) Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Other district matchups Tuesday include 25th-ranked Whitney (8-3, 25-6) visits West (8-3, 23-7) in a battle to break a tie for third place, Keene (4-7, 9-11) hosts Maypearl (9-2, 22-6), and Rio Vista (1-10, 2-15) takes on Harmony School of Innovation (0-11, 1-12).
Photos by DAVID HARDING
