Lions lose momentum in last two games

(Above) Clear Lake’s Zach Tatum struggles to get a shot off  during the Mason City game played on Thursday night.  Tatum finished the game with 14-points and nine rebounds.  -Reporter photo by Chris Barragy

The Clear Lake boys rode a three-game win streak into a busy week of action before the holiday break.  After opening with a win over Iowa Fall-Alden, the Lions stopped a non-conference game to Mason City, then continued to skid at Fort Dodge St. Edmond. Clear Lake is 4-3 on the season and 3-2 in conference play.

CL 80, IF-A 43

Iowa Falls-Alden opened the Tuesday, Dec. 15 game with a 10-0 run, but Clear Lake responded with a 14-0 run of their own and started the second half with a 16-0 run on their way to blowing out the Cadets, 80-44. 

Thomas Storbeck had 15 of his 17 points in the third quarter, most of those coming during the Clear Lake 16-0 run to start the half.  Parker Truesdell added 15, all on three-pointers, while Zach Tatum chipped in 10.

“We got off to a slow start, then settled in with a 20-3 run sparked by Tatum with back-to-back three-point plays,” said Coach Jeremy Ainley. 

After taking an eight point lead into the half, the Lions started the second half with a 14-0 run and cruised to a victory from there.

“Overall, we had a great team effort,” said Coach Ainley.

The remainder of the Lions’ scoring was provided by Parker Pitzen with nine, Evan Kruse with six, and Jarod Anderson, Justin Sholly and Nate DiCamillo with five apiece.  Zach Lester put in four points, Nick Naumann had three and Cody Matz sunk a free throw for one.

Sholly was a force under the basket, pulling down 11 rebounds.  He also had two blocked shots.

The Lions had 11 steals in the game, led by Lester with three.  The sophomore also dished out eight assists.

Mason City 77, CL 71

The Lions gave the favored home team all they could handle Thursday night, but Mason City up-ended the Lions, 77-71, in a non-conference battle.

“I was very pleased with our effort and overall game plan.  We wanted to limit getting into an up/down game with them and I thought for the most part we gave ourselves a chance,” said Coach Jeremy Ainley.

Thomas Storbeck again had a hot hand, finishing with 25 points. He dropped 10 of 19 fieldgoal attempts and was 3/4 from the free throw line in addition to grabbing six rebounds and making two steals.

Zach Tatum and Parker Truesdell also put up double digit scores.  The seniors put in 14 and 13 points respectively.  Tatum led the team in rebounds with nine.

Zach Lester and Nate DiCamillo contributed six points apiece, while Justin Sholly had five.  Sholly battled under the boards and recorded five rebounds before fouling out.  Parker Pitzen added two points for the Lions.

Clear Lake rushed out to a 20-14 lead in the first quarter and played steadily through the second to hold a 37-35 advantage at the break.

“Unfortunately in the third we struggled on the defensive end and gave them too many easy baskets that put us down four going into the fourth,” explained the coach.

The Mohawks built upon their second quarter momentum and outscored the Lions in the third and fourth quarters.  Mason City led by as many as 12 points in the final frame before the Lions closed the gap to six with one minute left.  The Lions had two chances to cut into the lead, but couldn’t execute.

“Overall, we fought to the end and put a scare into them,” said Ainley.  “It was a great experience for our young players and they are a good team with a lot of good basketball players, including a few that will play college basketball.  It will make us a better team in the future.”

St. Ed’s 64, CL 53

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CL BOYS

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Despite a fourth quarter rally, Clear Lake fell short in its bid to remain unbeaten in the NCC and was defeated by St. Ed’s, 64-53.

“After giving a great effort the night before in Mason City, I think we left our energy and legs behind us in Clear Lake,” said Coach Ainley.  “Right from the start we did not play as hard as St. Ed’s and we played from behind all night.  We came out flat and let them shoot easy baskets that allowed them to gain confidence.”

The Lions dig themselves a hole early, trailing 15-9 after the first quarter.  A third quarter surge by the Gaels gave them the nine-point win.

Thomas Storbeck continued to lead the team.  The junior was four-for-four from the free throw line on his way to a 16-point performance.  Zach Tatum was also in double figures with 14 points and a team-high five rebounds.

The rest of the Lion line-up provided balanced scoring, with Zach Lester and Parker Pitzen each putting in five points, Justin Sholly scoring three, Nate DiCamillo two and Jarod Anderson one point.

“We just didn’t play hard enough to compete and that is on me to have them ready to play every night,” said the coach.  “Playing back-to-back nights is hard, but we need to be able to compete and play hard every time out.  It was a learning experience for a young team and one that we will learn from.”

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