First time since 1991 Lions win NCC title

The Clear Lake boys basketball team has claimed its first North Central Conference title in 23 years.  The Lions (17-0) posted a  win over Bishop Garrigan Tuesday, while Humboldt lost to Algona, giving the Lions the crown.  The top ranked Lions (3A) made the most of Senior Night Friday, topping Eagle Grove, 92-75.

CL 78, Bishop Garrigan 59

The Lions had too many weapons for Bishop Garrigan to contend with Tuesday, Feb. 4.  Four players scored in double figures to lead the Lions to a 78-59 victory.

Davis Dieken led the way with 21 points and seven rebounds.  Spencer Davidson finished with 19 points, including five three-pointers, while Matt Stephany had 11 and Pete Swenson scored 10.  Swenson matched Dieken’s rebounding effort with seven.

The win over Garrigan was actually closer than the final score indicates.  The Lions opened with an 18-13 first quarter lead, then were up by just six at the half, 32-26.  The Golden Bears ran a more effective offense in the third and outscored the Lions, 22-19.  

Converted free throws down the stretch widened the margin of victory for Clear Lake.  The Lions made 10 of 11 attempts from the charity stripe.  Davidson was 4/4, Dieken was 3/3 and Swenson was 2/2 free throw shooting.

“I thought we did a decent job defensively, but they hit some shots that were  contested.  Garrigan has always had shooters, and if you catch them on a night where they are hitting, you are going to be in for a ball game.  That was the case tonight,” said Coach Kevin Kahler.  “Offensively, we were able to execute, and I thought our shot selection was good. Again, we had good balance with four guys in double figures.

CL 92, Eagle Grove 75

Senior Night was a celebration for the Clear Lake basketball team.  Coach Kahler started the five seniors who get the least amount of playing time.  They transitioned their successful start to five more seniors without skipping a beat. 

The Lions were up 32-26 at the half and 51-48 after three, then exploded for 27 fourth quarter points and a 78-59 win.

“Overall, it was a good night for us.  We were able to get all 16 guys in the game and get 11 of them in the scoring column,” said Coach Kahler.  

“Our seniors have done a great job for us all year long, and tonight I thought all 10 of them played extremely well.  Defensively, we still have a lot of work to do, but I like where we’re at offensively.”

Seniors Spencer Davidson and Davis Dieken scored 21 and 17 respectively.  JJ Theobald, who got his first start of the season, put in 10 points on 5/6 shooting from the field, and shared rebounding leader status with Dieken, each with four.  Jake Iverson was also making his first start and the senior made the most of it, scoring six.  Senior Jack Abbas also finished with six points, while classmates Garrett Kunzman and had five and  Alex Webb had three points.  Chase Lester had four points and Pete Swenson put in two.

Swenson’s defense caused problems for the Eagles.  He made five of Clear Lake’s 16 steals in the game.

Juniors Brock Adams and Matt Stephany scored nine points apiece.  

Senior Mark Peterson didn’t get in the scoring column, but did make two assists, grab a rebound and get a steal against the Eagles.  

The Lions begin to wrap up the regular season this week, traveling to Algona on Tuesday and to Humboldt on Thursday before hosting Charles City Saturday, Feb. 15.