Girls basketball: Clearfield’s frenzy stymies Bonneville in 53-32 decision
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- Clearfield High’s Izzy Wyaskett (11) drives into Bonneville’s defense on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Clearfield.
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- Bonneville’s Baya Jimenez, left, tries to hold onto the ball against Clearfield’s Bailey Hoover (25) on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Clearfield.
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- Clearfield’s Ciara De La O (1) rises to shoot in the middle of Bonneville’s defense on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Clearfield.
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- Bonneville’s Mylie Meira (25) tries to ward off a Clearfield defender on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Clearfield.
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- Clearfield High’s Destini Gomez prepares a pass during a game against Bonneville on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Clearfield.
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- Bonneville High’s Baya Jimenez (10) handles the basketball while Clearfield’s Xiyah Yarbrough defends on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Clearfield.
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- Clearfield High’s Ciara De La O reaches for a loose ball during a game against Bonneville on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Clearfield.
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- Bonneville’s Madilynn DeGroot, left, and Clearfield’s Izzy Wyaskett, center, grapple for a loose ball on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Clearfield.
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- Clearfield High’s Xiyah Yarbrough lines up a shot during a game against Bonneville on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Clearfield.
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- Bonneville High’s Brynlee Needham, right, tries to outpace the defense of Clearfield’s Xiyah Yarbrough on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Clearfield.
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- Bonneville High’s Brynlee Needham makes a pass during a game against Clearfield on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Clearfield.
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- Bonneville High girls basketball head coach Johnny Caine, center right, leads his team during a timeout on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Clearfield.
CLEARFIELD — Clearfield’s girls basketball team may be one of the shorter teams among the 5A ranks, but what the Falcons lack on the size scale pales in comparison to an energy level that is off the charts.
The Falcons bring a frenzy many teams can’t match and that continued in a 53-32 blowout Region 5 victory over Bonneville on Wednesday night in which they held the Lakers to single-digit scoring in three quarters.
“We’re one of the best defensive teams in the state and we (almost) always hold other teams to below their average,” Clearfield junior guard Brighton Bernards said. “That helps us a lot when we have energetic defense; it makes the offense roll, makes our shots fall.”
It took the Falcons a few minutes to get in gear, though, as Bonneville took an early 4-0 lead on baskets by Baya Jimenez and Charity McDonald.
Bernards finally got the Falcons rolling with a 3-pointer at the 5:36 mark, setting up an electric quarter to the buzzer.
“Sometimes it takes a little bit for us to get the energy up and get into the game, but starting with the 3-pointer, it was fun and everyone was cheering super loud,” Bernards said.
Her triple launched a 20-6 run for the Falcons and a 20-10 lead after one quarter.
“My shot brought the energy and made us all excited. … We began sharing the ball more and playing better defense,” Bernards said. “Our defense always brings better offense.”
When the Falcons’ starters needed a break, the bench players stepped in — no more so than senior guard Gretchen Higley, who buried a 3-pointer late in the first period as part of the big scoring streak.
Higley hit another trey early in the second stanza, and coupled with a 3 by super freshman sub Calista Christensen, the Clearfield lead bulged to 26-10.
“My role is to come off the bench and keep the energy really high. I go out there and make sure the starters get their rest so they can come back in and continue that energy for us,” Higley said. “I’m playing like I should; helping my team out … shooting when I’m open and making the right decisions.”
Clearfield (13-5, 8-1 Region 5) went to the locker room with a 37-18 edge (holding Bonneville to eight points in the second quarter) and held the Lakers under double figures with nine and five points in the second half periods.
The Falcons only tallied nine and seven points after the break, but the game was already effectively over as Bonneville never mounted much of a threat.
No Clearfield players reached double digits but its points were evenly distributed as Bernards and Izzy Wyaskett scored nine each and Mckinlee Philpot added eight.
Higley had six points on her pair of 3-pointers and Xiyah Yarbrough also checked in with six for the Falcons.
“We all looked for the extra pass; looking for the corner, for the other person,” Bernards said. “Not being selfish with the ball; spread the points through the board.”
Bonneville (5-13, 1-8) got swept by the Falcons in two Region 5 games, dropping a 25-point decision at home before the 21-point decision Wednesday.
“All credit to Clearfield. They’re super-skilled, they have great players, they’re well-coached,” Bonneville coach Johnny Caine said. “Their pressure bothered us both games. We turned the ball over way too much. When you give a team extra possessions, they’re going to hurt you; especially a team like this. They came out and played the way they wanted to play and dictated the game.”
Jimenez scored a game-high 10 points for the Lakers, while McDonald and Ema Eskelsen netted five apiece.
