Lions explode with two more big wins

by Marianne Gasaway

The Clear Lake boys made winning look easy last week, as the Lions won all three games they played by more than 20-points. The victories improved the Lions’ record to 14-2 overall and 10-0 in the North Central Conference.  This week the Lions host GHV Thursday, then are back in conference action Friday and Saturday facing Humboldt and Hampton-Dumont in Clear Lake.

CL 65, Webster City 39

Coach Jeremey Ainley said he knew his team would need to bring its best defensive game to Webster City Tuesday, Jan. 28.  The Lions did just that, as they held the Lynx to just 15 first half points on their way to a 65-39 NCC victory.

“I thought we came out in the first quarter with great intensity and set a tone early defensively,” said Coach Ainley.

Carson Toebe scored the first eight-points of the game with back to back threes and a layup and the Lions got out to an early 21-7 lead.

“In the second quarter the team continued to defend at a high level and let its defense predicate its offense and give us some run outs and easy baskets on the offensive end,” said Ainley.

In the third quarter the team got a little sloppy and allowed the Lynx to cut the lead to 15.  However, a big run to start the fourth put the game away.

Toebe led the Lions with 18 points, seven rebounds and five assists.  Andrew Formanek had  a great all-around game with 16 points and 11 rebounds.  Kody Kearns got some run outs and played a great full court game and had 12 points.  Jaylen DeVries had five points and 13 rebounds.

Other Lions getting in on the scoring included Brody Kuhlmeier with four, Nick Danielson and Jack Barragy with three apiece, and Eric Ritter and Ryan Thomas with two-points each.

“It was a nice road win and I was really happy with our mindset going into the game and defensive intensity,” added Coach Ainley.

CL 67, Crestwood 49

The Lions stepped outside the NCC for a game against a proven quality opponent, Crestwood, Thursday night.  Another good start propelled Clear Lake to a 67-49 win.

The Lions had success getting the ball inside against a physical Cadet team and built an 18-9 lead after one quarter.  They continued to shoot the ball well in

[wlm_nonmember]To read more of this article, please login or sign up for our E-Edition[/wlm_nonmember][wlm_ismember]

the second and amassed a 36-19 lead by halftime.

The Lions gave up some easy baskets in the third quarter and were a bit sluggish in the fourth, according to their coach, but still played with great pace in the 67-49 win.

Andrew Formanek had a nice game offensively with 22 points. Carson Toebe shot it well from outside and finished with 14 points, Jack Barragy was also feeling it, with 11 points and Jaylen DeVries was solid all-around, finishing with eight points, 15 rebounds and six assists.

Kody Kearns chipped in seven points, Nick Danielson three, and Brody Kuhlmeier had two-points.

“Overall, it was a nice win and I was happy with the way we are running offensively after playing good half-court defense as a team,” said Coach Ainley.  “We have held our last four opponents to 22 percent shooting overall and that is why we are starting to win by bigger margins.”

CL 63, St. Ed 28

The Lions had a test of a different sort Friday night.

  “When you are the heavily favored team, I was interested to see our maturity level of playing as big favorites,” said Coach Ainley.

The team met their coach’s expectations by getting off to a quick 26-9 first quarter lead.  And although the Lions got a little sloppy finishing at the rim in the second quarter and committed some turnovers, he was happy they responded with “focus on offense and defense” after the break.

“Any coach wants to hold the opponent to single digit quarters and to do that for four straight quarters was very impressive,” noted Coach Ainley.

Andrew Formanek had another double double with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Jaylen DeVries had one, as well, with 13 points and 12 rebounds.

Carson Toebe shot it really well with five three-pointers for 15 points.  Jackson Loge came in late and hit two treys to finish with six points.

Kody Kearns put in six-points and Jack Barragy also drained a shot from behind the arc for three-points.   Ryan Thomas score two-points.

“Overall, it was a nice win,” said Ainley.  “The team is playing at a high level right now and look to continue it again with three games next week.

[/wlm_ismember]