A win and a loss for Lions

(Above) Clear Lake’s Jaylen DeVries attempts a shot from behind the three-point line during Friday night’s matchup with Webster City.  Also pictured for Clear Lake is Zach Lester-Reporter photo by Chris Barragy

The Clear Lake Lions moved their record to 5-7 last week by splitting a pair of games.  The Lions earned a victory over New Hampton in non-conference action, and dropped a league battle with Webster City.

Monday’s game at Humboldt was postponed until Thursday, Jan. 19, due to inclement weather.  On Friday the team will travel to Clarion-Goldfield-Dows and Tuesday, Jan. 24, the Lions will be in Algona.

CL 75, New Hampton 68

Clear Lake’s defense through the second and third quarters helped to lift the Lions to a 75-68 victory Monday, Jan. 9, at New Hampton.

“We knew going in it would be tough road trip into a tough place to play, said Coach Jeremey Ainley.  “We had a good first quarter and made some shots, but were not getting stops defensively. Our defensive effort in the second and third quarters was giving us a chance for the win, however.”

The Lions held a slim 30-28 lead at halftime and were up by only three, 44-41, heading into the final period.

 “In the 3rd quarter we started shooting it better and in the fourth our offense really took off,” said the coach.

New Hampton was not going to go down easy.  The Chickasaws made some huge shots and forced the Lions to fight through some adversity late in the game.

Down by four points with two minutes to go, the Lions got some big stops and drained some baskets.  Zach Lester ignited the team with a big steal and basket and Drew Enke hit a three-pointer when the teams were tied at 65-65 with 1:30 to go.

Free throws down the stretch and key rebounds gave the Lions the non-conference win.

Lester had a great game, finishing with 24 points.  The junior was just two-for-nine shooing in the first half, but responded to the challenge with seven-for-seven shooting in the second half.  He also had seven rebounds and seven assists.

Drew Enke also had a big game and a career high 19 points.  Thomas Storbeck was also in double figures with 15 points.  Ryan Atkinson and Jared Penning scored six points apiece. Cody Matz and Sean Wendel got into the scorebook by each sinking a free throw.

Webster City 54, CL 48

It was tough sledding versus conference leader Webster City Friday night.  The Lynx silenced the home crowd with a 54-48 victory.

“I thought for three quarters we played great defense as a team.  Unfortunately, we could not get anything going consistently on offense,” said Coach Ainley.  “We had some great looks at the basket, but just couldn’t finish them.  You can’t win big games shooting 34 percent most of the time.”

It was a defensive first half, as the opening quarter ended with the Lynx up by one, 9-8.  Both teams scored nine in the second period for an 18-17 score at the half.

The Lions were one basket better in the third quarter, but the Lynx outscored the Lions 24-17 in the final frame for the win.

Despite the cold shooting night, the Lions still had a chance to get a win due to their defense.

“In the fourth quarter they got some baskets to go down and unfortunately we were on the wrong end of some block/charge calls and it ending up costing us in the end,” said Coach Ainley.

Zach Lester finished with 17 points and had six steals.  Thomas Storbeck had nine points and Drew Enke chipped in seven.  Jared Penning scored five, while Ryan Atkinson and Sean Wendel each finished with four points.

“Webster City is a good team and we had a chance to win it in the fourth— just too many costly turnovers and not making some very make-able shots when we had chances.  We are getting better and our youth shows it sometimes.”