Lions win in OT on buzzer beater three-point shot

(Above) Clear Lake’s Thomas Storbeck battles to get the ball to the basket against two Algona defenders.  Although Storbeck fouled out, he managed to lead the team in scoring with 32-points.

For the second time in four games, the Clear Lake boys rose to the challenge of overtime.  The Lions used a buzzer beater from Zach Lester to defeat Algona, 75-74, Friday night, Dec. 9.

The victory put the Lions at 3-1 overall and 2-0 in the North Central Conference.

The one-two punch of Thomas Storbeck and Zach Lester propelled the Lions to the victory.  Storbeck put in 32 points, while Lester had 28, including the winning bucket at the overtime buzzer.

“We knew that it would be a tough test against Algona, despite their early season struggles, they are well coached and have always been a tough conference rival,” said Clear Lake Coach Jeremy Ainley.   “We were able to come out of the gates strong and scored some early points, including 19 first quarter points by Thomas Storbeck.”

The Lions took a 36-25 half time lead, with 34 of the 36 points scored between Storbeck and Lester.

Algona heated up in the second half and began to sink shots at will. They outscored the Lions 23-19 in the third and forced overtime with 15 points in the fourth, compared to just eight for the Lions.

“We switched defenses with no avail to slow their two guards down and ultimately they tied the game,” said Ainley.  “We had a couple chances down the stretch to seal the game late with some free throws and easy buckets and were not able to put it away in regulation forcing the game to overtime.”

Momentum remained in the Bulldogs’ favor when overtime started.  They scored the first five points in OT and gained even more confidence when Storbeck fouled out.

But the Lions refused to let the game slip away.

Lester scored seven points in the final minute, most notably the three-pointer which was the difference.  He finished with 4/6 shooting from three-point range.

“Luckily Zach was able to step up and hit a couple shots late to give us a chance at the end,” added Ainley.

After a missed free throw by Algona the Lions were down two with nine seconds left.

“We drew up a play for Zach to have a couple of options.  He got enough separation at the end to shoot a step back three and good for us he made it to win the game.  We trust him with the ball in his hands at big moments and he delivered.”

Torian Lee had five points for the Lions, followed by Drew Enke and Jared Penning with three apiece.  Cody Matz and Jaylen DeVries each scored two.

“It was nice to see Torian Lee give us five big points and Drew Enke came in and gave us a spark.  Cody Matz had six rebounds and Jared Penning gave us some big rebounds and Jaylen DeVries and Sean Wendel gave us a spark off the bench.  We are getting better and that is all I can ask for at this point in a young season,” added the coach.

After hosting Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Tuesday, the Lions are on the road to Humboldt Friday, Dec. 16.  On Monday, Dec. 19 Mason City will come over the Clear Lake for a non-conference game.  The final game before the holiday break will be Tuesday, Dec. 20, at Iowa Falls-Alden.