Lions open post-season with a win over Boone

(Above) Clear Lake’s Kody Kearns was all concentration as he kept his eye on the Boone offense during Monday night’s home game in the post-season tournament.  -Reporter photo by Chris Barragy

by Marianne Gasaway

The Clear Lake boys opened post-season tournament play with a 60-43 win over Boone Monday night, Feb. 24, in the Lions gymnasium. 

The record Lions used a strong third quarter to shake the 1-19 Toreadors.

“We’re still shaking a little rust off,” said Coach Jeremey Ainley, referring to a weeklong break his team has had from action.  “But we got after it in the third quarter.  Our offense was predicated by our defense.”

That third quarter included a 17-1 run which finally put the Lions in control.

Although they got off to a quick start, with Andrew Formanek draining a three-pointer in the first 15-seconds and pair of Carson Toebe buckets, the Lions couldn’t entirely shake the Toreadors.  The Lions were an uncharacteristic 0/4 from three-point range in the opening period, but held a 13-6 lead after one.

Both teams shot a cool 35 percent in the first half, with Boone staying within striking distance at the half, 24-16.

The Lions started their third quarter scoring run with a Toebe three-pointer.  Nick Danielson’s steal and score on the inbounds play pushed the lead to 10 and seemed to light a fire for the team.  Jack Barragy swooshed a three and Toebe found the bottom of the net with a pull up jumper from the free-throw line 

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for a 36-22 lead. 

Jaylen DeVries began to assert himself in the lane and padded the score with more buckets and free throws.  At the end of three, the Lions were cruising, 49-38, and the steady attack continued until the final buzzer.

DeVries and Toebe each finished with 15-points for the Lions.  Kody Kearns scored 12 and Formanek had 10-points.  Nick Danielson scored five and Barragy had three-points.

While it wasn’t a great shooting night from the field for the Lions, players still did a good job when put at the line.  They were successful on 13 of 18 free throw attempts, while Boone went 8/17 at the line. 

“We’ve got to pick it up and keep getting better and I know we will do that,” said Ainley.  “At this point we don’t need any style points.  It’s win and move on.”

  The Lions (19-3) advance to play Iowa Falls-Alden (13-9) Thursday night, Feb. 27, again at CLHS at 7 p.m.  A victory would put the Lions in the Class 3A Region 2 Substate final against either Algona or Ballard Monday night, March 2, at Webster City.

Algona 64, CL 53

With a week off and only two practices between games, Coach Jeremey Ainley said he was concerned his team might lose its focus and not be as sharp as it had been in the last few week.  Unfortunately, he was right.  The Lions, who had already clinched the North Central Conference title, dropped the final game of the NCC season at Algona Tuesday, Feb. 18.  The score was 64-53.

The Lions finished the regular season with an 18-3 record.  They were 13-1 in the NCC. Algona finished as runner-up with a 12-2 record.

“We were a step slow on all defensive possessions and couldn’t get loose balls or stops in the first quarter,” said Coach Ainley.

The sluggishness resulted in the Lions trailing, 17-11, after the first quarter. 

In the second quarter the Lions got the tempo up a bit and made some defensive stops to tie the game up at 20-20, but the Bulldogs hit a couple shots to take a 26-22 lead into half time. 

A better start after the break helped the Lions tie the score at 26-26, but again the team failed to get timely shots and offensively did not shoot the ball well.

“We were very rusty on the offensive end and it showed in our shooting percentages,” said Coach Ainley.

On the night, Clear Lake shot at just 30 percent (17/57).  They made just five of 24 three-point attempts.

Carson Toebe had a good game shooting with 16 points. Andrew Formanek had 13 points and nine rebounds.  Kody Kearns was also in double figures with 11 point. Jaylen DeVries had eight points to go with his 13 rebounds, while Jack Barragy finished with five points.   

“Overall, it was not our best effort, we were not ready to go and I take full responsibility for that.  We will be more prepared starting next week for playoffs.”

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