Lady Cards fall 54-22 to University

Clear Lake's season ends in Division 5 quarterfinals

SAN FRANCISCO >> Clear Lake High School's season came to a quick end Friday night as University High School rolled to a 5422 win in the quarterfinals of the North Coast Section Division 5 girls basketball playoffs in San Francisco.

The No. 2-seeded Red Devils (23-4) host No. 3 San Domenico in the semifinals on Tuesday, the winner advancing to meet either Upper Lake or Mount Diablo in the section championship game on Feb. 24 or Feb. 25 at a site to be determined. No. 4 seed Upper Lake hosts No. 8 Mount Diablo on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

“We could play them 10 times and we would lose every one,” Clear Lake head coach Phil Psalmonds said of the Red Devils, who fell behind 3-0 on an Amber Smart 3-pointer but had a 26-9 lead after the first quarter.

“The girls on their bench were as good as our starters,” Psalmonds said. “They probably shot 50 percent from the field. They're fast, physical … they're really good.”

University had a 36-13 lead by halftime.

“I'm not even disappointed because we didn't have a chance,” Psalmonds said. “It was just tough. The game was decided in the first quarter.”

While his players gave it everything they had, Psalmonds said there was no way the Cardinals could compete with a team of University's caliber.

“They never quit, they played hard but it just wasn't enough to compete with a team like that,” Psalmonds added.

Stella Hill, one of six Clear Lake seniors playing in her final high school game, finished with a teambest seven points while the junior Smart added five.

Clear Lake (17-8) tied for second place in the North Central League I standings this season and was the only NCL I team to make it past the first round in the playoffs. The 10th-seeded Cardinals upset No. 7 International 39-30 in the opening round Tuesday night in San Francisco.

“They're multi-sport athletes,” Psalmonds said of his senior-dominated roster. “They'll be playing softball tomorrow.”