Lions split games with NCC opponents

(Above) Jagger Schmitt looks on as Thomas Meyer takes a pass and goes to the basket against Webster City.  The Lynx caught the Lions on an off night and took home a victory.-Reporter photo by Chris Barragy.

by Marianne Gasaway

As the song says, “when you’re hot, you’re hot and when you’re not, you’re not.”  That was the case for the Clear Lake boys last week, as they played a solid game for a win over Algona, but had one of its worst efforts of the year in a loss to Webster City.

The 14-5 Lions were slated to play their final game of the regular season last night against Iowa Falls-Alden.  They open post-season play Monday, Feb. 21, by hosting another North Central Conference team.  Hampton-Dumont-CAL will be in Clear Lake for a 7 p.m. tip-off.

Webster City 57, CL 35

Webster City held the Lions to just 13 second-half points on their way to a 57-35 win.

“Unfortunately, one of our worst efforts of the year -- we did not shoot it well, we did not defend at all and our effort and energy was not very good,” said Coach Jeremey Ainley.  “It was a bad loss all around.

The team started out slow, going down 7-0, and it didn’t get any better the rest of the night.  

“It was a physical game and we did not respond well,” said Ainley.

The Lions were able to cut the lead to one point in the third quarter, but were a step slow defensively and gave away too many easy baskets, said the coach. 

Carson Toebe had all 11 of his points for the Lions in the second quarter. Thomas Meyer had eight points and Joe Faber scored six.  Travaughn Luyobya put in four points and Titan Schmitt and Cael Stephany came off the bench for three points apiece.

“Overall, we were simply outplayed and I take full responsibility for that and we will get better,” added Ainley.

CL 54, Algona 46

The Lions bounced back from a disappointing performance to top Algona, 54-46, Friday, Feb. 11.

“After two great days of practice and getting back to the basics defensively, I thought we came out and played a lot harder,” said Coach Ainley.  “We a lot better defensively, which in turn got our offense going.”

The Lions played to a 20-15 first quarter lead and continued to build in the second period.  By halftime they were in charge, 36-21.

“In the third quarter we unfortunately let off the gas on offense, relied on jumpers too much and stopped guarding defensively and let them cut the lead to three points,” explained the coach.  “In the fourth we executed and got stops which led to good offense to come away with a  win.  

Thomas Meyer paced the team with 18 points and seven rebounds.  Carson Toebe was right behind with 16 points and six rebounds and Travaughn Luyobya had a nice overall game with eight points and nine assists.  

Joe Faber and Jagger Schmitt scored five and two points respectively.  Reserves Cael Stephany and Tucker Jones contributed three and two.

“Overall, I was really pleased with how we responded to a bad effort on Tuesday,” concluded Ainley.  We came out and guarded well and it led to good offense.  We moved the ball well and other than a bad third quarter we played well overall.  Guys were a lot more aggressive.  Jagger was attacking the basket, Joe made some big shots and had some great plays on defense.  Tucker Jones came in and gave us a spark on defense and we just had a great night of contributions -- guys were aggressive and it showed on offense.”