They’re Back!!

(Above) Senior Ethan McHenry proudly raised the State Tourament qualifier banner with his Lion teammates.  -Reporter photo by Chris Barragy.

Clear Lake was one of only two of the final top 10 ranked teams in Class 2A to survive the pre-State tournament trek. Defending champion and second-ranked Clear Lake (28-7) and seventh-ranked Hinton (23-5) each qualified and won their opening games Monday, setting up a semi-final match against each other at 5 p.m. on Thursday. It will be a battle of David and Goliath, as the Lions are the largest school in Class 2A with 283 students in grades nine through 11, while Hinton is the smallest with 168.  (Official state certified BEDS enrollment figures for the 2014-15 school year were used).  This is the fifth trip for the Lions, who have captured the State title twice. The Hinton Blackhawks have made the select field for the third straight year and are seeking their first state tournament win.