Close loss ends Central's season
Layla Embretson pressures an Eagle player in the Warriors’ 34-31 postseason loss in Elkader on Feb. 12. (Photo by Bev Hamann)
Brylee Erickson shoots a free throw against the Eagles. (Photo by Bev Hamann)
Natalya Singleton elevates to the basket in last week's playoff game. (Photo by Bev Hamann)
By Audrey Posten | Times-Register
Clayton Ridge stunned Central with a 34-31 win in Elkader on Feb. 12 to advance to the second round of the girls high school basketball playoffs.
Central had defeated the Eagles by double digits twice during Upper Iowa Conference play this season, including 57-28 on Dec. 2 and 46-34 on Jan. 22.
Last week’s game was tightly contested. The teams were tied 14-14 at halftime, and neither led by more than five points throughout. Clayton Ridge had an 11-8 advantage in the fourth quarter to come out on top.
Offense was hard to come by, as Clayton Ridge hit 26 percent of its shots from the field and Central just 19 percent. But it was the free throw line that made the difference. The Eagles made nine of their 16 attempts, and while the Warriors had nine more chances, they could capitalize on only eight of those 25.
Central out-rebounded Clayton Ridge 47-38 and turned the ball over 16 times to the Eagles’ 22, but couldn’t make up for the missed point opportunities.
Sophomore Blair Scherf earned a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds and led Central with four steals.
Oakley Armstrong hit a three-pointer for half of her six points and was among team leaders with nine rebounds. The senior also had two assists, two steals and a block.
Senior Layla Embretson finished the game with five points, eight rebounds and a block, while fellow senior Katie Royer added five points, five rebounds and a pair of steals.
The Warriors concluded the season 8-14 overall.
