1999/2000 Game Results Last Updated: November 28, 1999

November 27, 1999  

North 56, Port Washington 60

By Mark Andrew Trapani Leader-Telegram staff

Pirates humble Huskies

Huston, Clements too hot to handle

Two players and a bunch of 3s proved to be too much for the Eau Claire North girls basketball team Saturday evening at Zorn Arena.

The Huskies fell victim to the hot hands of Port Washington senior sharpshooter Beth Huston. The 5-foot-8 guard, who has accepted an NCAA Division I scholarship to play for Illinois State University next season, connected on five 3-pointers and finished with 29 points to lift the Pirates to a 60-56 win.

The nonconference game was part of high school portion of the Eau Claire Thanksgiving Showcase.

As lethal as Huston turned out to be, teammate Jenny Clements turned out to be every bit as dangerous.

Clements, a 5-10 senior, connected on two 3-pointers and added 24 points to help the Pirates (3-1) rally past North (2-1).

"They just did the job," Eau Claire North coach Dan Sippel said of Clements and Huston. "They just shot the lights out. Those two just manipulated the game."

The Huskies took a 17-10 first-quarter lead on the strength of a stellar performance by Larisaa Parr. The 6-foot junior center, who finished with team highs of 19 points and 10 rebounds, hit two 3-pointers and scored 10 points in the games opening eight minutes.

North led 28-25 at halftime and clung to the lead until the Huston and Clements finally caught fire.

Clements scored five straight points to tie the score at 45 late in the third quarter. But the real turning point came in the fourth, when Huston, who had suffered through a 5-for-25 shooting performance during the Pirates’ 67-47 drubbing at the hands of Durand on Friday, hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key to give Port Washington a 48-45 lead.

She then stole the ensuing inbounds pass, made a driving layup while being fouled and converted the free-throw opportunity.

After that, the Huskies never reclaimed the lead.

"Basically our shots started falling," Pirates coach David Ross said of his team’s second-half performance. "Sometimes we just have to get our kids to slow down a little bit so they can get in the flow."

Despite the loss, Sippel found solace in his team’s effort.

"My kids played tough," Sipple said. "I’m proud of them. Down the road I think we will be a stronger team because of this experience."