Lions fall to West Fork, beat C-G-D

(Above) Jackson Loge brings the ball down the floor against a West Fork defender in Tuesday night’s game. -Reporter photo by Chris Barragy

by Marianne Gasaway

The Clear Lake boys basketball team is off to a 1-1 start, following a loss to West Fork and win over Clarion-Goldfield-Dows.

“We still have some growing up to do and a little learning on the run, but I like the way this team responds already,” said Coach Jeremey Ainley.  “Obviously we have some guys in new positions and new roles this year. We are very talented, just need to grow as a team.”

This week the Lions were scheduled to play at Mason City Monday night.  Friday they will open North Central Conference play at Iowa Falls and Tuesday, Dec. 17, they will host Webster City in another NCC battle.

West Fork 76, CL 70

“West Fork is always a quality opponent that is very well coached.  We knew this would be a tough game to start a season,” said Coach Ainley about the Lions’ Tuesday, Dec. 3, matchup.

The Lions got off to a good start, with the defensive effort providing offensive opportunities.  After one quarter of play Clear Lake was ahead, 22-13.  However, in the second quarter the Lions got into a little foul trouble and allowed the War Hawks to get back into the game, courtesy of the free throw line.

The Lions led at halftime, 32-28.

“In the third quarter we did not respond and allowed them to get a lot of easy baskets and some wide open looks from outside.  We did not guard very well and they were able to get a lead and build on it and we were not able to make it up in the end,” said Coach Ainley.  “Overall, we did not guard like we have been accustomed to in Clear Lake and that was disappointing.   We can’t give up 76 points.”

The War Hawks outscored the Lions 26-16 in the third and then kept things even in the final quarter for the six-point non-conference win.

“I did not have the team prepared to go and we did not have or execute a very good game plan,” added Ainley.

Despite the disappointing result, the coach was pleased with

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the play of some key members of the team.

“Jaylen DeVries took a good step forward as a leader and played a tremendous game with 24 points and 17 rebounds,” said the coach.  “Andrew Formanek, who was a game time decision with the flu, gave us a good post presence with 14 points as well.”

Jack Barragy and Kody Kearns showed some flashes, as well, with 13 and 11 points respectively.  Jackson Loge chipped in four points and Jagger Schmitt and Ryan Thomas had two apiece.

CL 55, C-G-D 36

After giving up 76 points in the opening game, Coach Ainley and his staff preached defense against Clarion-Goldfield-Dows on Friday, Dec. 6.  The team responded with a great defensive effort  and a 55-36 victory.

“Clarion is a young, but very athletic team that will present some problems this year,” said Ainley.  “We got out and guarded right from the start, building a 15-5 lead after one.”

In the second quarter the Lions got a little stagnate offensively, but continued to guard very well and built a 22-10 lead.

The offense began to hit its stride in the third quarter and Clear Lake pushed the lead to 40-23.  The lead grew to as much as 20 in the final quarter before the final buzzer sounded.

“To hold a team to 36 points and shoot at 24 percent was a very positive outcome and great response from Tuesday’s defensive effort,” said Coach Ainley. “We challenged our players and they responded the way good teams do.”

Kody Kearns had a great night for the Lions with 20 points. More importantly, Kearns held the Cowboys’ leading scorer to just four points, noted the coach.

Andrew Formanek scored 11 points and Jaylen Devries played a great floor game with eight points, 10 rebounds and nine assists.

“We also had some great contributions from Ryan Thomas, Mitchell Raber and Noah Petersen off the bench,” added Ainley.  Thomas scored five points, while the other two had three apiece.  Jack Barragy had three points and Brody Kuhlmeier added two.

“We need to clean up the offense a little bit, but tonight was a great step in the right direction for us,” said Ainley.

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