Basketball Recap: Natalie Clemente's Big Game Can't Quite Lead Joliet West over Butler

Joliet West was the 55-32 winner over Butler when they last played one another back in January of 2020, but their luck changed this time around. The Tigers fell 59-46 to the Lynx on Tuesday. While losing is never fun, the Tigers can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Illinois basketball rankings (they are ranked 460th, while the Lynx are ranked 128th).

Joliet West's loss came despite a true team effort with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Natalie Clemente, who dropped a double-double with ten points and 11 rebounds. The team also got some help courtesy of Jada Thompson, who posted 11 points and six boards.

Leading Butler to victory were Xyanna Walton and Kerminicia Wellington. Walton dropped a double-double with 23 points and ten rebounds, while Wellington earned 19 points in addition to seven boards and five assists. Walton has been hot for a while, having posted ten or more rebounds the last 20 times she's played. Another player making a difference was Kennedy Benson, who put up 11 points.

Joliet West's defeat dropped their record down to 2-8. As for Butler, the victory made it two in a row for them and bumps their season record up to 6-4.

Both squads will have to hit the road in their upcoming games. Joliet West will take on Plainfield East in a holiday battle at 6:30 p.m. on Friday. The Tigers are facing the Bengals at the right time seeing as the Bengals are stuck on a five-game losing streak. As for Butler, they won't have much time to rest: their next matchup is against Simeon at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday.