Lions claim third straight NCC title with win over H-D

(Above) Jack Barragy navigates around Hampton-Dumont defenders.  Barragy led the Lions with 20-points.  -Reporter photo by Chris Barragy

by Michelle Watson

A big win over Hampton-Dumont on Tuesday night, Feb. 11, clinched the North Central Conference title for the Clear Lake boys.  This is the third straight conference title for the team, making it the first time in school history that the Lions claimed three in a row.

“It is our first goal every year and it is always a great accomplishment to claim the conference championship,” said Head Coach Jeremey Ainley.    

After six games in two weeks, the Lions were happy to have a little breather and play only one game last week.  The game was also special, as the seniors were honored.

“The seniors have given our program a lot in the last four years.  These eight guys have worked hard and had success along the way,” said Ainley.

Those honored included Jackson Loge, Nick Danielson, Jack Barragy, Kody Kearns, Mitchell Raber, Jaylen DeVries, Brody Kuhlemeier and Ryan Thomas.

The Lions started strong against the Bulldogs, shooting well and moving the ball around the floor.  Then jumped to an early 18-7 lead in the first quarter.

Clear Lake let their guard

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down in the second quarter and was outscored, 15-14.  They hung on for a 10-point lead heading into the break, 32-22.

Following the break, the Lions stretched the lead to 15-points, 46-31.

“We turned the ball over a little too much and didn’t move the ball as well as I liked, but we continued to build the lead,” said Ainley.

The two teams traded baskets in the fourth quarter.  The Lions outscored H-D 17-14 in the fourth quarter for the final, 63-45 victory.

Jack Barragy had a stellar game, leading the Lions with 20-points.  He connected on four three-point shots.  He also led the team in steals with six and had five assists and three rebounds.

Jaylen DeVries and Andrew Formanek were also in double figures with 12 and 11 points respectively.  Carson Toebe ended with eight points and Kody Kearns chipped in eight.

Toebe led the team under the basket with 10 rebounds.  DeVries hauled in six, while Formanek and Kearns each grabbed four.

DeVries led the team in assists with seven and he hustled after five steals.  Toebe also had five steals.

Toebe, Formanek and Kearns all had one blocked shot apiece.

The Lions wrapped up their regular season against Algona on Tuesday night.  The team opens Class 3A Substate 2 tournament play on Monday, Feb. 24.  Clear Lake will host Boone in the first round for a 6:30 p.m. game.  The winner of that game will face either Humboldt or Iowa Falls-Alden at home on Thursday, Feb. 27, at 7 p.m.  Results of the two games will be in next week’s edition of the Clear Lake Mirror-Reporter.

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