Clear Lake boys off to an exciting start

(Above) Clear Lake’s Zach Lester and Drew Enke put some strong defensive pressure on this West Fork ball handler.  The Lions beat West Fork in double-overtime, 78-75. -Reporter photo by Chris Barragy

Judging by the first game, it’s going to be an exciting season for the Clear Lake Lions.  The team opened with a double-overtime win and one night later notched another victory for a quick 2-0 start.

This week the Lions were at Charles City Monday night.  Friday, Dec. 9, they will host Algona and Tuesday, Dec. 13, Clarion-Goldfield will come to town.

CL 78, West Fork 75 (2-OT)

Thomas Storbeck and Zach Lester combined for 55 points and helped the Lions to an exciting 78-75 double-overtime win over West Fork Tuesday, Nov. 29.

“We knew the game would be a challenge for us – West Fork has been the class of basketball in North Iowa for the last five to six years and they are coached by a Hall of Fame coach,” said Clear Lake Coach Jeremey Ainley.

The Lions were able to jump on the War Hawks early with some early baskets and allowed their press to cause some turnovers.  At one point the Lions were up by 15 playing some great half-court defense and rebounding well.

Clear Lake held a 33-23 advantage at the half, but Ainley said he knew that West Fork would give the Lions a run in the second half.

As expected, West Fork turned their game around and out-scored the Lions 18-10 in the third quarter.

“We didn’t rebound as well and they started making some shots,” said the Clear Lake coach.

In a back and forth fourth quarter the Lions didn’t hit their free throws down the stretch or get needed rebounds and West Fork was able to tie the game at 60-60 and force overtime.

In the first overtime, Clear Lake was down five right away, but was able to battle back to force a second overtime.  Again, both teams hit some big shots, with none being bigger than Evan Krause’s shot with :46 seconds left to put the Lions up by one.  From there, the team was able to get to get a game sealing stop to win by three, 78-75.

“Overall, I was very pleased with our team effort,” said Coach Ainley.  “It was a playoff type atmosphere that had a lot of people step up and have great games for us.”

In addition to Storbeck’s 33 points, the senior hit the game-winning free throws with three-seconds remaining and hauled in a team-high seven rebounds.

Lester started off slow, but then gave his team a spark, scoring 22 points, including four free throws in the second overtime, and recording eight assists and seven steals.

Torian Lee had a great overall game with six points and four assists and Cody Matz was huge with a game tying basket at the end of regulation.  He also had five rebounds and six points.

Ryan Atkinson added four points and four rebounds, Krause and Drew Enke finished with three points apiece and Jared Penning put in one.

“It was a great way to start the year with a win, but we have to continue to improve each week.

CL 72, Hampton-Dumont 32

An energized Clear Lake team forced early turnovers and jumped out to an early 19-7 lead on their way to a 40-point victory at Hampton-Dumont.

The team played some more great defense in the second quarter and was able to build a big half time lead of 40-15.

In the third quarter the Lions continued to defend well and rode the hot shooting of Thomas Storbeck.  They outscored the Bulldogs 22-7 to begin the fourth quarter with a 62-22 lead.

“In the fourth quarter we were able to play some younger guys and continue to build some depth,” said Coach Ainley.

Thomas Storbeck finished with 33 points, including a school record 10 three-pointers.  The effort broke the previous mark of eight by Mike Oimoen.

Zach Lester finished with 20 points, five rebounds, six assists and seven steals.

“Evan Krause continues to play at a high level for us and scored six points and Drew Enke continues to improve and scored five points,” added the coach.

Jaylen DeVries got into the scorebook with three points and five rebounds.  Ryan Atkinson and Nick Danielson added two points apiece.  Atkinson also grabbed five rebounds.

“Obviously, we go as our big two players go – Thomas and Zach— but we need to continue to build some quality depth, guards like Torian (Lee), Drew (Enke) and Jaylen, and big guys like Cody Matz, Nate DeCamillo, Jared Penning, Ryan (Atkinson), Sean Wendel and Evan Krause,” said Ainley. “We are getting better and I like the intensity we have been playing at.  We need to keep getting better and continue to grow as a team.”