When Vermilion’s defense gets rolling, watch out.
The Sailors went on a 26-1 run between the first and second quarters, including 21 straight, to rout Clearview, 57-37, on Nov. 27.
Vermilion (1-1) trailed one minute in, 5-4, and things only went up from there. The Sailors’ half-court trap forced turnovers left and right to quickly build up the lead. Their defense forced 31 for the game, which was well in hand after a strong close to the first quarter.
“We’ve been really focusing on defense this year, and we were able to force some turnovers and capitalize on them. We made them (tonight),” Vermilion coach Doug Michalic said. “Against Amherst, we forced 21 turnovers and we didn’t even score 21 points. We got the turnovers, we got the ball up ahead, we ran the right lanes and made our layups.”
PHOTOS: Clearview vs. Vermilion girls basketball, Nov. 27, 2023
Spearheading the Sailors' stout defense was senior guard Camrin Lowder. She wasn't the team's leading scorer, but put up 13 points with a lot of them coming off Clearview turnovers. Her speed is game-changing, and combining her energy with it creates a dynamic defensive stopper.
"This year since my coaches have talked to me, I've really taken it seriously," Lowder said of leading the defense. "I understand that my speed and everything works really well on defense, so I've really focused on locking down."
Once Abby Gawry knocked down a 3-pointer to put the Sailors in front, it was over from there. Lowder and Joscelyn Alvarado both made layups off turnovers with a Clearview free throw in between to increase the lead. After that, Vermilion scored the final 14 points of the quarter.
Gawry and Claire Bartlome also got into the scoring down the stretch of the opening frame. Those four players scored 54 of the team's 57 points, led by Gawry's 16. Lowder and Bartlome each had 13, along with 12 from Alvarado. The Sailors' best offense was its defense.
"It's really fun to just read eyes and know where the offense is going to go," Lowder said. "Then we're just there to get the steal. After you understand where people are going to throw it, it's just fun to pass it up to your teammate or take it yourself. It feeds our energy so much."
It was tough sledding for Clearview (0-1) in its season opener, but the Clippers played better as the game went on. Climbing out of a 19-point hole after eight minutes was too much to overcome.
Clearview was down to five players after illness, foul trouble and a questionable ejection, but the Clippers cut into their deficit late. Things weren't going their way, but they fought until the end. Junior Haley Hjerpe provided a bright spot with a game-high 19 points.
"We're still trying to play together, and that's what I told them. You can't start out a game like that in the first quarter and a half, have 18 turnovers in the first half and expect to win that ballgame," Clearview coach Nick Dimacchia said. "I thought they played a lot better at the end of the second quarter and even in the second half. You just can't turn the ball over like that and expect to win games."
Vermilion has one day off before traveling to Brookside on Nov. 29. Clearview is off until Dec. 1 before hosting Firelands to kick off LC8 play.
THE SCORE (NOV. 27)
Vermilion 57, Clearview 37
