Lions move record to 10-4 overall; 6-4 in NCC

by Marianne Gasaway

The Clear Lake boys couldn’t knock off North Central Conference leader Clarion-Goldfield-Dows, but they did get past Hampton-Dumont in what Coach Jeremey Ainley called the Lions’ most mentally tough game all year.  Clear Lake is now 10-4 overall and 6-4 in the league.

C-G-D 46, CL 40

The Lions opened the week on the road to face C-G-D on Tuesday.   Clear Lake gave the NCC leaders all they could handle, but came out on the short end of a 46-40 score.

“I thought we came out with a good game plan and played well the first quarter to take the lead 15-14,” said Coach Jeremey Ainley.  “Unfortunately we had some costly turnovers in the second quarter on consecutive possessions and dug ourselves a hole.”

The Lions were down 26-19 at half, but made some adjustments in the third quarter and were able to fight back and take the lead in the early part of the fourth.

“We just couldn’t execute down the stretch,” said Ainley.  “We had some untimely turnovers and missed on a couple defensive rebounds and they hit a couple big shots.  Not the ending we wanted or hoped for, but hopefully one that will make us better in the long run.”

The coach noted Carson Toebe had a nice game with 20 points and 10 rebounds “and really lead us.”  

Travaughn Luyobya was also in double digits with 10 points and six assists.  Thomas Meyer put in seven points and Titan Schmitt had three off the bench.

“We need to continue to find ways to get more people scoring and active in offense,” said Ainley.

 CL 58, H-D 55

“Playing a little shorthanded with some guys out -- we played possibly our most mentally tough game all year,” said Coach Jeremey Ainley after his team stopped Hampton-Dumont, 58-55, Friday night.

The Lions needed mental toughness in a see-saw battle which had the Lions clinging to a lead in the final seconds.

“In the third and fourth we kind of opened it up a little more on offense and got some good open looks and shot them,” said Ainley.

The Lions were up by four-points with three-minutes to go, but the Bulldogs drained a couple of big shots and had a few fortunate bounces to take a one-point lead with 45-seconds to go. 

“We came down and executed a quick set and Travaughn Luyobya hit Cael Stephany in the corner for an open three with about 20-seconds left.  We forced them into a couple tough shots and made a huge diving rebound to secure the ball and ultimately the win,” said Ainley.

Luyobya had a huge game for the Lions with 26 points, five rebounds and four assists.  

Joe Faber gave the team a great spark with 10 points, including a huge three-pointer in the middle of the fourth quarter, and Cael Stephany had a big game, with all of his eight-points coming in the second half, including the game winner.

The remainder of the scoring was provided by Thomas Meyer with five, Jett Neuberger three-points, Tucker Jones and Jagger Schmitt had two apiece and Dylan Litzel one-point.

“Overall, it was just a great win as a team— coming together and everybody making huge contributions,” added the coach. “Hitting eight threes as a team and finally showing some confidence! I am very proud of them!”