Zig-zagging through St. Clair’s full-court press and scoring, the Clipper varsity girls looked like superstars at times on Tuesday, but ultimately, they succumbed to turnovers and the inability to stop the host Cyclone’s offense and fell 76-38.
“Again, we have to get tougher,” said head coach Joe Remiger. “Until we get that mentality, we’re going to struggle.”
The Clippers, who upset the Cyclones in St. Clair last season, trailed 16-0 when Ava Hahn assisted her sister Greta Hahn (above) on a baseline drive for the first Clipper basket. Addi Holden followed up with a basket assisted by Greta Hahn. Later, Ava Hahn took handoffs from her sister and Holden for a pair of buckets.
Lacey McCabe put in a pair of baskets to narrow the Clipper deficit to seven, 19-12 but that was as close as they could get. The Hahn sisters each drove for a layup, and Delaney Thompson scored, but the Cyclones kept pace.
As the first half drew to a close, Holden dropped in a three, but St. Clair put a pair of threes and a basket from the floor for an 8-point run. Greta Hahn drove the paint for a basket just before the buzzer, but the Clippers lagged 38-24 at the break.
St. Clair posted another 38 points in the second half while Cleveland's offense took a vacation with turnovers limiting the Clippers to 14 points. A Schipper three was the last Clipper basket while the Cyclones scored the final 10 points to put an exclamation mark on the victory.
With a dozen points, Greta Hahn was the only player to hit double figures for the Clippers. Ava Hahn added seven points. Thompson, Schipper and Holden each contributed five points. McCabe chipped in four points.
Thompson, Schipper and Holden each put in a three. The Clippers were three of seven from the foul line. St. Clair dropped in 10 threes and was 10 of 19 in free throw shooting.
Surpassing the 1000-point milestone in the effort, Brooklin Hinze led the Cyclones with 26 points. Steph Cink added 18 points.
“We learned from it,” Remiger said. “We’ve got two days where we can get some practice in.”
The Cleveland varsity girls, still looking for a win this season, host GHEC-Truman-Martin Luther tonight (Thursday). In Valley Conference play, the Jaguars lost to St. Clair 64-59, beat Alden-Conger/Glenville-Emmons 56-41 and lost to LCWM 63-41.
Ava Hahn extends to release a shot.
Delaney Thompson on the drive.