Clear Creek Amana shares the ball, and shoots the ball, remarkably well

For the Clear Creek Amana girls’ basketball team, accuracy is born from unselfishness.

“We’re shooting the ball extremely well,” Clippers Coach P.J. Sweeney said. “Most of our shots aren’t contested, and they’re not forced.”

Take the Class 4A seventh-ranked Clippers’ most recent victory, for example. CCA shot 60 percent from the field in a convincing 75-57 conquest of 3A No. 7 Solon. The Clippers (5-1) were superior in the first and third quarters and rolled to their fourth consecutive win.

Clear Creek Amana is No. 1 — all classes — in field-goal percentage (.513), No. 3 in 3-point shooting (.394) and No. 6 in assists (18.8 per game).

“We want to pass up a good shot for a great shot. We want to get the ball inside to Ava (Locklear) and Bliss (Beck), I don’t think that’s a mystery,” Sweeney said.

Beck (18 points) was 9-for-10 from the field against Solon; Locklear was 6-for-9 in a 16-point, 16-rebound gem.

Locklear, a junior, is both a giver and recipient in the Clippers’ attack. She leads the team, per game, in points (14.7), rebounds (12.0) and assists (4.2).

Another junior and a Drake University volleyball commit, Beck averages 12.0 points per game and is shooting nearly 76 percent from the floor. The lone senior on the roster, Olivia Miller (9.7 ppg) has “really stepped up this season,” Sweeney said, and junior Sam Schrage delivers 4.0 assists per game.

One of the key reasons for CCA’s elevation has been the arrival of freshman Averie Lower (13.5 ppg), the team’s top outside threat.

“She comes in and doesn’t play like a freshman,” Sweeney said. “She has some length to her and shoots exceptionally well.”

The only hole in the Clippers’ offense, thus far, is from the free-throw line, where they shoot 46 percent.

“It’s very strange,” Sweeney said. “But I know it’s going to come around. I try not to harp on it much. I’m not concerned about it.”

The Wamac Conference West Division race has been a logjam for the past three years. CCA shared the 2020 title with Center Point-Urbana, then was part of a three-way tie in 2021 and 2022.

Benton Community, Center Point-Urbana and Vinton-Shellsburg are strong again, but thus far, the Clippers look like the favorites.

“It’s going to be a grind,” Sweeney said. “We ramped up our non-conference schedule this year (with all three Iowa City public-school teams) thinking that we were going to be a good team.”

The final four

The list of area unbeatens was carved to four Tuesday:

Cascade (5-0 overall, 3-0 River Valley North)

The Cougars rallied from an 18-point halftime deficit to beat West Liberty in their opener, then claimed a divisional showdown at Monticello on Tuesday, 45-41.

Alyssa Lux, Molly Roling and Devin Simon are averaging between 10 and 11 points per game.

The Cougars face road challenges against Dyersville Beckman and Decorah before the holiday break.

Elkader Central (5-0 overall, 3-0 Upper Iowa)

The Warriors have never won a UIC championship during the five-player era, but are poised to break through this winter with a veteran crew, led by seniors Delaney Scherf and Haley Frieden and junior Ashlyn Scherf.

The elder Scherf is second in the league in scoring at 17.6 points per game.

Central faces a key UIC test Dec. 20 at home against Turkey Valley (4-1, 4-0).

Iowa City West (5-0 overall, 3-0 MVC)

The Trojans aren’t winning big (all five of their victories are by 14 points or less); on the other hand, all five of the triumphs have come against opponents that are .500 or better.

The tough road continues at home against Linn-Mar on Friday and against Sioux City Heelan on Saturday at Johnston.

Dartmouth recruit Meena Tate is averaging 18.2 points and 3.2 assists per game.

North Linn (7-0 overall, 5-0 Tri-Rivers West)

Even with a tough 63-56 Rivalry Saturday win over Vinton-Shellsburg figured in, the Lynx are blasting their foes by an average of 43.1 points per game.

They do have three post-holiday non-conference challenges (Iowa City Regina, Mount Vernon and Cascade).

All five starters are averaging in double figures, led by juniors Kamryn Kurt (15.3 ppg) and Macy Boge (14.9).

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com