28.5 League Championships: Clutch Cardinal vs New Mexico Stars
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Final: Clutch Cardinal 53 – New Mexico Stars 48 Clutch Cardinal played a worthy opponent in that of the New Mexico Stars as they escaped with a narrow victory in which they had a defensive stand in the minute minutes…
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Continue ReadingFinal: Clutch Cardinal 53 – New Mexico Stars 48
Clutch Cardinal played a worthy opponent in that of the New Mexico Stars as they escaped with a narrow victory in which they had a defensive stand in the minute minutes of the game. The two teams started exchanging blows for the most part of the first half before a short spurt by Clutch Cardinal before the half ended. Things started with Clutch Cardinal skipping rocks as Borter gave it to Bridget Winthrop Bridget Winthrop 5'11" | PF Lincoln | 2021 State OR who found Avery Edwards Avery Edwards 5'10" | SG Jesuit | 2023 State OR at the rim. Molly Block Molly Block 5'2" | SG Jesuit | 2021 State OR followed with a superb jumper as on the next possession BLock found Mackenzie Naro with a triple. Emily Rice Emily Rice 5'5" | PG Beaverton | 2022 State OR found Borter for a score as Borter found Winthrop at the rim to make it 11-13.
Ava Shandy board and bucket followed by a Borter to Edwards find. Avery Edwards Avery Edwards 5'10" | SG Jesuit | 2023 State OR scored followed by an Emily Rice Emily Rice 5'5" | PG Beaverton | 2022 State OR pump-fake to the rim move. Rice scored off an isolation lay-up and again as she was a pivotal part of their victory throughout the game. Borter to Edwards triple followed by an Emily Rice Emily Rice 5'5" | PG Beaverton | 2022 State OR to Ava Shandy find to finish the half as Clutch Cardinal was up 31-22. Clutch Cardinal’s second half wasn’t as dynamic as their first half as they would be tested but ultimately come through clutch at the end of the game.
Borter to Winthrop jumper began the second half followed by a Shandy to Rice triple. Rice to Borter find followed by a Winthrop to Naro score. Winthrop found Edwards at the rim as Rice found Winthrop. Rice to Naro triple followed by a Naro to Rice find. On two back to back possession on defense, Clutch Cardinal stuffed New Mexico Stars at the rim, first by Bridget Winthrop Bridget Winthrop 5'11" | PF Lincoln | 2021 State OR , then by Alexa Borter Alexa Borter 5'11" | PF Beaverton | 2021 State OR . They played clock management and held on to win the game, as they played excellent team defense to seal the victory.
Stats:
Alexa Borter Alexa Borter 5'11" | PF Beaverton | 2021 State OR : 9 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 block, 1 steal
Bridget Winthrop Bridget Winthrop 5'11" | PF Lincoln | 2021 State OR : 6 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 blocks
Ava Shandy: 4 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists
Avery Edwards Avery Edwards 5'10" | SG Jesuit | 2023 State OR : 11 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals
Mackenzie Naro: 8 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal
Hannah Rice: 2 rebounds
Molly Block Molly Block 5'2" | SG Jesuit | 2021 State OR : 6 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist
Emily Rice Emily Rice 5'5" | PG Beaverton | 2022 State OR : 9 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal
Breakdown:
Emily Rice Emily Rice 5'5" | PG Beaverton | 2022 State OR : Pleasant Surprise
Emily Rice Emily Rice 5'5" | PG Beaverton | 2022 State OR is a systems oriented guard from Beaverton as she showed her selfless play, routinely checking and making plays for others. Rice also scored on three straight possessions for Clutch Cardinal that sparked a late run in the first half. She finished with a superb stat-line with 9 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists – indicative of her ability to affect the game in numerous ways and provide as an all-around guard with superior decision making skills.
Solid Forward Play
With the absence of Afton Keeney Afton Keeney 6'0" | PF Westview | 2021 State OR this weekend, Clutch Cardinal looked no further than the interior tandem of Alexa Borter Alexa Borter 5'11" | PF Beaverton | 2021 State OR and Bridget Winthrop Bridget Winthrop 5'11" | PF Lincoln | 2021 State OR . Borter is the versatile all-around forward who does it all. She defends, rebounds, facilitators, and scores all around the court but has a certain physicality that cannot be denied. Bridget Winthrop Bridget Winthrop 5'11" | PF Lincoln | 2021 State OR is the forward with length that is matched with her discipline on the defensive end as she finished with an astounding 4 block total. It is not a coincidence that Borter and Winthrop each had a huge block at the end of the game to seal the victory for Clutch Cardinal. These two had each other’s backs – quite literally as they both can play strongside and helpside and provided for some huge moments down the stretch.
Avery Edwards Avery Edwards 5'10" | SG Jesuit | 2023 State OR and Mackenzie Naro
Edwards is the shooter who also has upside as an all-around playmaker as she has the size to go with IQ to make plays all around the floor. She finished with 11 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals as her length allows her to make plays and her awareness and effort puts her over the top. Mackenzie Naro is the sharpshooter who plays a team oriented game as she sank two for three from deep – continuing to show her efficient shooting game. Naro finished with 8 points and 3 rebounds. These two were another added layer at the guard positions for Clutch Cardinal as they provided a spark on offense to help Clutch Cardinal on that end of the floor.