Butler’s layup gives win to Ladies

By Sandy Anderberg

The Lady Broncos had already defeated Shamrock in the first round of district and was looking to make it 2-0 against the Lady Irish last Friday night. After a hard-fought game, the Lady Broncos’ Brianna Butler put in a nice layup with just ticks on the clock for the 41-40 win. Shamrock’s attempt to win the game failed, and the Lady Broncos took the one-point win.

The first eight minutes belonged to the Lady Irish as they held a four-point advantage going into the second quarter. But Clarendon stormed back to go up by one at the break with solid play. The Lady Broncos shot 75 percent in the first half from the bonus line and that proved to be the difference in the end.

Both Jensen Hatley and Emily Johnson were perfect from the free throw line at five out of five in the first half.

The scoring stayed all square until the final buzzer with both teams scoring 21 points each in the second half and the margin staying at one in the Lady Broncos’ favor. Butler finished with 14 points, and Berkeley Alexander helped with 10. Shaelyn Owiti put in seven, Hatley and Hannah Hommel three each, Hannah Howard and Johnson with two each.

Earlier in the week, the Lady Broncos hosted Memphis; and despite playing a tough game, the Ladies lost 42-54.

Clarendon held a nine-point lead at the break and seemed to have control of the game. But a cold-shooting fourth quarter left the girls fighting to get the lead, and foul trouble hindered their comeback attempt. The Lady Cyclones were able to make 14 out of 22 free throws in the second half, which proved to be the difference in the game. Owiti hit four three-pointers for 12 points, and Butler added 10. Sandrea Smith and Briley Chadwick each had five, and Alexander put in four. Hatley had three, Howard two, and Johnson one.