The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Clippers hit 30 free throws to get win
Clearview snows under Lorain by hitting 30 foul shots
Not even a bloody nose could stop Clearview freshman Brooke Rebman from hitting free throws
Rebman put on a free-throw clinic, hitting 24 of 30 from the line for a career-high 39 points. After Clearview let a double-digit lead slip away in the fourth quarter, Rebman hit 12 free throws in the fourth quarter to lead the host Clippers to a 64-52 nonconference win over crosstown rival Lorain Jan. 13.
“They just keep fighting hard,” Clearview coach Nick Dimacchia said. “They had confidence in themselves and each other. They played like a team, but the bottom line is free throws.
“We practice free throws. We preach free throws and preach free throws win and lose basketball games. We came out and we hit free throws and that was a huge part of us winning.”
The Clippers (9-3) held a 35-24 lead early in the third quarter after Brandyce Smith (20 points) drilled her fourth 3 of the game. But Lorain (4-8) showed its resiliency. Ashley Hisle banked a 3-pointer on a heave from just past half court to trim the deficit down to 41-38.
The Titans took the lead with Tanya Llanos hitting a 3 and Hisle
hitting a floater to put Lorain up 48-46. But Smith hit a four-point play that allowed Clearview to regain the lead.
With the lead, it became the Rebman free-throw shooting clinic. In the final two minutes, Rebman hit nine of her last 10 free throws. Rebman, who took 17 free throws in the first three quarters, took advantage at the line by driving hard to the basket. When the Clippers got into the bonus, the freshman point guard handled the pressure and when fouled made her free throws. For the game, Clearview was an incredible 30 of 38 from the line. Conversely Lorain struggled at the line as they were 5 of 18.
Rebman, who suffered a bloody nose late in the game, was still dealing with it after the game.
“It feels good,” Rebman said, while holding a tissue to her nose. “I tried my hardest even though they were putting a lot of pressure on me.
“I just kept going (at the free-throw line) I just take my time, do the same thing over and over, It’s a good win for us.”
Dealing with foul trouble throughout the game, Lorain tried to stay close throughout the first half, but a 7-0 run to close the first half by Clearview saw the Titans trail by 10, 32-22 at the half. The disparity in free throws helped Clearview hold the 10-point advantage as they were 12 of 14 from the line. The Titans were 0 of 4.
Lorain was led by Tanya Llanos and Nemaja’ Grant with 11 points apiece. Phyllicia Weatherspoon chipped in with 10.
“To her (Rebman) credit, she knocked them down,” Lorain coach Mark Feldmann said. “She played a great game.
“I had some freshmen and sophomores who were out there and did a good job. The girls fought back and didn’t quit.”
Though happy with the win, Dimacchia knows his team needs to maintain its focus as conference play resumes.
“We’re playing well now … we have Lutheran West coming in here (Jan. 17),” Dimacchia said. “That’s a game we have to win. It’s nice to be 9-3, but we’ve kind of stay focused on the task at hand and worry about every game as it comes. As long as we do that; we’re going to be okay.”