Clear Lake Mirror Reporter

(Above) Gretchen Jones puts up a battle to get the ball away from a Mason City player, while Jessica Faber (24) and Jordyn Barragy (40) block the way to the basket.  -Reporter photo by Chris Barragy

The Clear Lake girls gave defending Class 4A State Champion Mason City all it wanted in their season-opening game played Friday, Nov. 18, in Clear Lake.

Lions Coach Bart Smith said he saw plenty to build upon in the wake of a 45-31 loss.

(Above) GHV’s Maddie Williams brings the ball down the floor against a tough Mason City defense during Tuesday night’s scrimmage in Mason City. -Reporter photo by Chris Barragy

The Garner-Hayfield-Ventura girls basketball team opened the 2016 season with a scrimmage against Mason City on Tuesday, Nov. 16.

“We can use this scrimmage to find out the things that we need to work on,” said Coach Matt Erpelding.  “Without a doubt, the area of our game that needs immediate attention is our defense.”

Clear Lake senior Ryan Leisure made it official last week.  The two-time State Champion signed a National Letter of Intent to wrestle for Iowa State University.  Leisure, who has a chance to become the school’s first three-time State champion, is expected to wrestle at 145-pounds this season.  He is currently ranked 18th nationally at the weight class, according to Intermat.

The Iowa Newspaper Association announced its 2016 All-State Football selections Tuesday, Nov. 22.   Clear Lake’s Zach Lester was a first team selection in Class 2A.

Lester, a 6’1”, 175-pound junior, was selected as a defensive back on the Class 2A All-State team.