Lions roar past NCC teams to move to 8-0 in league

(Above) Senior Jack Barragy played a great game offensively and defensively to help the Lions top IF-A, 76-41.  -Reporter photo by Chris Barragy

by Marianne Gasaway

The Clear Lake boys solidified their hold on the North Central Conference with a pair of lopsided wins last week.  The Lions are now 8-0 in the NCC and 11-2 overall,

CL 73, C-G-D 48

The Lions got off to a quick start and never looked back on the road Tuesday night, Jan. 21, at Clarion.  Clear Lake held an early 13-7 first quarter lead, but uncharacteristically turned the ball over in the second quarter and let the Cowboys back in.  The lead was just two-points for the Lions at the half, 24-22.

“We challenged them a little at halftime and told them to take it upon their selves to play harder and together and they responded with a 26-point quarter,” said head Coach Jeremey Ainley.  “We got the game a little more at our pace and got up and down and let our defense get us some run outs.”

The Lions outscored their opponent by 10 in the third quarter for a 50-38 lead heading into the final period.

In the fourth, the Lions continued to shoot better and scored some easy baskets on their way to the 25-point victory.

“I was really pleased with us sharing the ball, with 25 assists and letting our defense get us some easy baskets,” said Coach Ainley.  “Jaylen DeVries had a great second half and gave us the spark with 21 points and 14 rebounds.”

Andrew Formanek had a good all-around game with 13 points and 10 rebounds.  Jack Barragy played a great game defensively and offen-

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sively, the coach noted.  “He really attacked well and finished with 14 points and 6 assists.  Carson Toebe pushed the ball well and got everyone going and had 12 points and seven assists, as well.  Overall it was a great team effort and good road win.”

Nick Danielson came off the bench to chip in five points, along with Eric Ritter with four.  Kody Kearns and Ryan Thomas finished with two-points apiece.

 CL 76, IF-A 41

Coach Ainley said he knew his team would need to bring a good effort against a team that shoots it well from outside and has a couple threats.  And that’s exactly what he got Friday night, as the Lions jumped out to a 16-1 lead against Iowa Falls-Alden.  The team also finished strong to spot a 76-41 victory.

“Defensively, we were all over the place and contested everything they shot.  We attacked their zone defenses and, more importantly, made some shots,” said Coach Ainley.

The Cadets eventually got their offensive game going in the second quarter, but the Lions’ continued aggressive play resulted in a 39-23 halftime lead.

The Lions continued to apply pressure defensively and started the fourth quarter on a 21-0 run to effectively put the game well out of reach.  Great effort on offense and defense resulted in the Lions holding the Cadets to 23 percent shooting overall.

“Jack Barragy had a great game offensively with 21 points, including six three-pointers.  But defensively he held a kid that averages over 21 points a game to 15— five of which came when the game was well decided.

Andrew Formanek had perhaps his best game as a Lion with 15 points, 17 rebounds, five assists and three blocks.

Carson Toebe shot it well and had a solid overall game with 19 points, including five treys and 12 rebounds.  Jaylen DeVries finished with nine points, seven rebounds and six assists.

Also putting points on the board for the Lions was Kody Kearns with six and Jackson Loge and Nick Danielson with three apiece.

“Overall it was great effort in front of our home crowd and showed again some of the potential of this team,” said Ainley.  “We need to continue to improve to make a deep postseason run.”

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