LAKEPORT — Freshman Mia Hoogendoorn had a big first half for Middletown while senior teammate Paige Astley sealed the deal in the fourth quarter Thursday night as the Mustangs improved to 6-0 in the North Central League I varsity girls basketball standings with a 54-36 win over the Clear Lake Cardinals in Lakeport.

"They're a well-coached team ... and talented on the court, too," Clear Lake head coach Phil Psalmonds said of the Mustangs, who improved to 11-5 overall. "We're going to need another gameplan to beat them, one with less turnovers and more points."

The same two teams meet again on Monday in Middletown where the Cardinals (3-2 league, 6-8 overall) get one last crack at the Mustangs this season. Clear Lake trailed 34-25 entering the fourth quarter, but any thoughts of a comeback were quickly put to rest by Astley, who scored 10 of her team-leading 18 points in the period, including three of her team-best five 3-pointers.

Hoogendoorn scored all 12 of her points in the first half with

Middletown's Ella Rockwell prepares to pass the ball as Clear Lake's Sierra Bruch defends. (Photos courtesy of Trett Bishop)

three 3-pointers to help Middletown build a 27-16 lead. Clear Lake made a concerted effort to stop the freshman in the second half, and did, but the rest of the Mustangs, led by Astley, picked up the slack and then some.

"We did a good job taking her away in the second half, but Paige hurt us in the fourth quarter with some big shots," Psalmonds said.

"We just don't have one person doing all the scoring," Middletown head coach Andy Brown said of a deep Mustangs squad. "I have eight people who can start."

Clear Lake made a bit of a run to get within five points of Middletown in the third quarter but could get no closer.

"They started to make a move and we answered with some big possessions," Brown said.

Middletown turned the ball over nine times in the first half but did a much better job in the second half, according to Brown, who said the Mustangs also stepped up the defensive pressure, led by Jaidyn Brown, and did a better job on the boards, led by Kamryn Atkins.

"It was outstanding," Brown said of Jaidyn Brown's defensive play down the stretch. "And Atkins was rebounding at an All-League level in the second half."

Atkins led the team with eight rebounds and Allison Brown blocked three shots.

Clear Lake's Sydney Howe drives toward the basket as Middletown's Jaidyn Brown defends on the play. Howe led the Cardinals with 15 points.

Sydney Howe provided the bulk of Clear Lake's offense with 15 points, including three 3-pointers, while Sierra Bruch added seven points and Montana Wells six.

Besides Astley and Hoogendoorn for Middletown, Atkins added eight points, Amanda Hart had seven and Ella Rockwell six.

There was no junior varsity game.

Clear Lake jumps back into action Friday against Roseland University Prep in Santa Rosa before returning home Saturday to play Fort Bragg at 2:30 p.m. (varsity only). Clear Lake vs. St. Helena junior varsity and varsity boys games follow beginning at 4 p.m. Middletown's scheduled road game Friday at St. Helena has been postponed. The Mustangs next see action Monday at home against Clear Lake.

In other girls basketball action Thursday:

Upper Lake 65, Credo 44

At Upper Lake, a 22-point first quarter sent the Upper Lake Cougars on their way to a big win over the Credo Gryphon in NCL II action.

Credo, a 49-24 loser to Upper Lake in the league opener for both teams on Dec. 7 in Rohnert Park, was at full strength for its rematch with Upper Lake, according to Upper Lake head coach Mike Smith, but it didn't stop the Cougars from setting the tone early.

"Our girls probably played our best quarter," Smith said. "Our man and pressure defenses really suffocated them."

Taylar Minnis' ability to score in the low post opened up opportunities for the Cougars all around the perimeter and they took full advantage while moving out to a 22-6 lead.

When Credo greeted Upper Lake with a pressure defense to open the second half, the Cougars did exactly what they were supposed to do, according to Smith.

"We were patient with it," he said. "We worked the ball down the floor and took some good shots."

Junior Heaven'Lee Loans Arrow had a team-leading double-double of 21 points and 12 rebounds as Upper Lake improved to 5-0 in the NCL I standings and 13-2 overall.

"Heaven was pretty tough to stop out there," Smith said. "She's so fluid and consistent, she was picking her moments a little more. She's also developing a (mid-range) pull-up jumper."

Zoey Petrie added 13 points and a team-high eight steals in the victory, Minnis finished with 10 points, and Madison Noble had six points and six assists. Karlee Zimmerschied also had six points as she continues to work her way back into the Upper Lake rotation after missing most of the season with an ankle injury.

"Karlee gave us some good minutes," Smith said.

The Cougars are back on the court Friday against Technology in Rohnert Park. Upper Lake also has added a game to its schedule and will play Piner on Feb. 7 in non-league action at Santa Rosa.

In the JV game, Upper Lake beat Credo 54-13 behind 10 points each from Jaydyn Poe and Kali Minnis. Hope Marcks scored nine points and Jordann Gudmundson added six in the win.

Gudmundson pulled down a team-leading nine rebounds while Minnis had eight boards and Rainy Minton six.

Cloverdale 42, Kelseyville 38

At Cloverdale, Summer Lands scored 15 points to lead Cloverdale to a NCL I win over the Kelseyville Knights, who fell to 0-4 in league and 0-11 overall.

Cloverdale squared its league mark at 4-4 while improving to 6-9 overall. Teyla Caturegli had seven points, four rebounds and two steals for the Eagles while teammate Tylie Hatcher had six points, six assists and five steals.

Kelseyville rallied down the stretch, outscoring Cloverdale 18-10 in the fourth quarter to make it close.

Larue Furlani's 10 points led the Knights.

Cloverdale won the JV game 36-23. Kelseyville finished with only three players.

Kelseyville hosts St. Helena on Monday in a battle of two teams looking for their first league win. Cloverdale travels to Fort Bragg on Friday.