CL boys claim conference crown

(Above) Jared Penning uses his bulk to battle for position during Tuesday night’s game against Iowa Falls-Alden.  -Reporter photo by Chris Barragy

The Clear Lake boys captured the North Central Conference championship outright Friday night with a win on the road at Fort Dodge St. Edmond.  The Lions, now 15-4,  have two game remaining in the regular season before they begin to concentrate on their next goal— a State Tournament berth.

CL 72, IF-A 53

The Lions got off to a fast start and then held off Iowa Falls-Alden, 72-53, Tuesday night, Jan. 30.

Clear Lake started off quick, leading 14-9 at the end of the first quarter.

“We were able to build a 10 point lead at one point in the second quarter, but we knew Iowa Falls would be scrappy and they were,” said Clear Lake Coach Jeremey Ainley.

The Cadets fought back and left the Lions clinging to a 28-26 lead at halftime.

In the third quarter Clear Lake was able to keep pressure on the Cadets, forcing turnovers and keeping the tempo their favor.  With the help of some Cadet turnovers, the Lions had a couple of 7-0 runs to pad their lead. They outscored the visitor 26-13 in the final quarter for the 19-point win.

Zach Lester led the Lions with 37 points, five assists and five steals.  Tate Storbeck had a career high with 14 points, including some big shots in the second half.

Coach Ainley noted Sean

[wlm_nonmember]To read more of this article, please login or sign up for our E-Edition[/wlm_nonmember][wlm_ismember]

Wendel had a great all-around game with eight points and six rebounds and Jared Penning had a season high with nine rebounds to go with his four points.  Jaylen Devries also gave the team a spark with five points, he said.

Drew Enke and Nick Danielson each put in two points.

“Overall, it was a great team effort to get another big conference win to share at least a share of the conference title,” said Ainley.

CL 71, St. Ed’s 67

Down the stretch Friday night, Clear Lake left little doubt they wanted the win more.

The Lions overcame a sluggish start on the road to tie the score at the end of regulation.  Then, in overtime, they executed their defense and didn’t miss a shot on offense.  The 71-67 victory over St. Ed’s meant the Lions clinched the NCC Conference title outright.

“It was extremely satisfying to win the conference at St Eds, a place where many good Clear Lake teams have come up short for many years,” said Coach Jeremey Ainley.  “It is always a great feeling to win  a conference title and now, in our fourth year, it really is special because these guys have had us for four years in our system so it is reaping a little of what we are teaching as a program from grades seven to 12.”

Ainley said he considers Fort Dodge to always put a tough, well-coached team on the floor and he knew Friday night’s matchup was going to be a challenge.

The game started even, with the Gaels holding a slim 13-12 lead after the first quarter.

The Lions struggled in the second quarter with shot selection and St. Ed’s was able to build a 15 point lead by halftime, 36-21.

“I really didn’t get mad at half, but rather challenged them to play our brand of basketball and see what happens,” said the coach.

The team responded with better effort in the third quarter and was able to cut the lead to five heading into the final period.

The Lions’ shots began to fall in the final quarter and pressure forced the Gaels to commit some turnovers which helped Clear Lake take the lead.

With a two-point lead and :40 seconds to play, the Lions missed a shot and St. Ed’s was able to execute a play out of a timeout to tie the score.  Zach Lester, who scored 26 of his 36 points in the second half,  missed a three-pointer late which could have won the game in regulation.

It was all Lions in the overtime, as Jared Penning sunk a free throw and made a basket, Lester drained a trey, made five free throws and another bucket and the Lions emerged with a 71-67 victory.

In addition to his 36 points, Lester had seven assists and four steals, which broke his own school record of 80 in a season.  He also moved into second place in school history in career scoring, passing Ken Grabinski.

Drew Enke had a great game with 17 points and Sam Pedelty had two big three-pointers and finished with 6 points.  Jared Penning and Andrew Formanek had five points apiece.   Sean Wendel added two points.

“Overall, it was a great effort, especially defensively in the  second half,” added Coach Ainley.  “Drew and Nick played a great defensive game on the Gibb kid, holding him to 10 points, 11 under his 21 point average.”

[/wlm_ismember]