Decorah stops Clear Lake from advancing

(Above) Joe Faber goes air born to get to the basket over a Decorah defender.  -Reporter photo by Chris Barragy

by Marianne Gasaway

Top ranked Decorah held off a determined Clear Lake team to advance to the State Tournament.  The Vikings hit free throws down the stretch to extend a four-point lead with :48 remaining to a 46-39 victory.

The Vikings consistently held the lead in the Sub-State final, but time and time again the Lions would claw their way back to within striking distance.

“A tough way to end season for sure,” said Clear Lake Head Coach Jeremey Ainley.  “I thought we had a great game plan for sure and executed on the defensive side of the ball very well.  We held the number one ranked team to their lowest offensive output all season.  Unfortunately, on offense we couldn’t get much established.”                                                   

Clear Lake was in a hole early, as Decorah rushed out to an 11-2 lead by the mid-point of the first quarter. 

In the second period the margin was as many as 13.

Bench play was critical in the Lions’ ability to be flexible with their game plan.  

In the second quarter Tucker Jones and Cael Stephany came in and sparked both the offense and defense.  The 6’7” Jones helped the Lions on the boards, while Stephany connected on a three-pointer which erased a double digit Viking lead and seemed to spark the team.  

On the strength of Joseph Bockman’s 15 first half points, Decorah’s lead was 28-19.  

“It was a very physical game and we did not handle that well,” said Ainley.   “It forced us into way too many jump shots.  We did not finish well at the rim and it got us out of our game plan offensively, but I was really proud of our guys for still giving us a chance all the way to the end.”

An alley-oop from Travaughn Luyobya to Thomas Meyer on the first play of the second half made it clear the Lions weren’t ready to go home.  Carson Toebe, who was held to just five first half points, drained a three pointer and all of a sudden the Lions had pulled to within four, 28-24.  

Despite missing their next five shot attempts, increased defensive pressure kept the score close and the third quarter ended with Decorah ahead, 33-26.

The Lions were stalled at 26 until Toebe found the bottom of the net on a shot just inside the three-point line.  

With three-minutes remaining the senior scoring leader executed an old-fashioned three-pointer to make the score 39-31.  A trey by Stephany kept hopes alive with 1:53 remaining, 39-34.

“Great character (was shown) by our guys.  Our crowd was amazing, the atmosphere was amazing and our guys effort was amazing,” commented Ainley.

With time ticking away the Lions were forced to resort to fouling and the Vikings pushed the score to 44-36 before Toebe connected on another three, making it 44-39.  Decorah controlled the ball and clock in the final seconds for the win.  Fourteen of the Vikings’ 17 free throw attempts came in the fourth quarter.  They ultimately outscored the Lions 11-3 at the line.

Bockman paced the Vikings with 22-points, followed by Noah Sports with nine and Trey McCain with eight-points.

Toebe finished the game and a stellar Clear Lake High School career during which he set a school scoring record, with 16-points and six rebounds.  Meyer added 10-points and nine rebounds.  Luyobya had seven points and Stephany finished with six.  Jones went scoreless, but pulled down eight rebounds.  

The Lions say goodbye to five seniors: Toebe, Joe Faber, Jagger Schmitt, Jett Neuberger and Tucker Jones.

“This was tough for the seniors.  All five of them left program in a really strong place—   four straight substate finals, two trips to state, three conference champs,” noted Ainley.  “Clear Lake basketball is in a very good place because of their work ethic and leadership and I am really proud to be their coach.  Win or lose -- you never forget games and atmospheres like that and those five seniors will never forget the success they were a part of in Clear Lake basketball.”