Clearview Races Past Deptford For Road Victory

By Vincent Lewis
SJSports Staff Writer

When Clearview finished their warm-ups, they witness Deptford’s senior guard Lauren Fisher being honored for scoring over 1,000 points. It was no secret that the Lady Pioneers had to do their best to slow down her scoring chances to pick up the win. It would Clearview’s offense that gave them the win with Kristina Wallace’s ability to score from the perimeter and Mercedes Van Wagner’s rebounding success. The Pioneers led from the start and posted a 51-36 Tri-County Royal Division competition.

Both teams started out slowly as neither team could get the ball to fall through the hoop during the first quarter. After Wallace connected on two free throws midway through the quarter, Clearview began to slowly pull away. Clearview used good ball movement for the easy basket inside the paint and that success helped them to start an 8-2 run during the start of the quarter. Building on their 6-point lead at the end of the first, the Pioneers pushed their way to a 12-point lead with 2:42 remaining to halftime. A three pointer by Lauren Fisher near the end of the game was only their second field goal made during the second quarter.

During the second half, Wallace controlled the offense and helped the Pioneers hold off Deptford’s comeback late in the third quarter. The Spartans got as close as 30-28 with 2:41 showing on the clock, but a 7-2 run quickly gave Clearview a 39-30 lead after Van Wagner’s two free throws. The finally quarter was all Wallace, who finished with a game high 21 points, and the Lady Pioneers picked up and win (7-2) on the road. Mercedes Van Wagner added 10 points for Clearview. Deptford’s Asha Atkinson had a team high 12 points and Lauren Fisher finished with 10 points.