Lions finish season in a tie for second in NCC

The Clear Lake boys pushed their game to extremes last week, winning in a thrilling overtime then dropping two games.  A loss to Humboldt left the Lions in a tie for second in the North Central Conference final standings with the Wildcats.  Both teams finished 13-5; Iowa Falls-Alden captured the NCC title with a 16-2 mark.  Following a regular season finale against Mason City Tuesday night, the Lions begin tournament play against Gilbert (11-10) 

Monday, Feb. 18, at Clear Lake.  The game will begin at 7 p.m. in the CLHS gymnasium.

CL 72, Algona 68 (OT)

Clear Lake outscored Algona 11-7 in overtime to capture a 72-68 win Tuesday, Feb. 5.

“We got into some early foul trouble and had three starters on the bench early in the first quarter,” explained Coach Kevin Kahler.  “We played some zone and just tried to survive the rest of the first half.  I felt like we were in a good situation only being down two at the half.”

Algona held a 30-28 lead at halftime and both teams battled to keep the game close in the second half.  Neither was able to make a run and regulation ended in a 61-61 tie.

“Algona played with a lot of energy and really did a nice job; I just thought our kids did a good job of keeping their composure late in the fourth and in the overtime period,” said Coach Kahler.

Spencer Davidson continues to led the Lions offense.  He scored 26 points in the win.  Pete Swenson was also in double figures with 10 points to go with his team-high nine rebounds.  Bryson Hamilton and Davis Dieken each scored eight and had seven rebounds apiece.  Chase Lester and Matt Stephany put in six points each, while Gavin Sheakley and Luke Schiller scored four.

Humboldt 74, CL 52

Despite getting off to a slow start, the Lions were in a good position trailing by only two at halftime on the road at Humboldt.  But the wheels fell off late in the third quarter and continued to unravel in the fourth, resulting in a 74-52 Wildcat win thursday, Feb. 7.

“Humboldt is a tough place to play and they’re a good team, but we need to execute better than we did tonight,” said Coach Kahler.  

Humboldt led 35-33 at the half and the Lions played them close for most of the third quarter, but some bad possessions late in  the third swung momentum to the home team.  They outscored the Lions 24-11 in the final quarter for the 22-point victory.

Spencer Davidson scored 16 for the Lions and Bryson Hamilton put in 10.  Davis Dieken finished with eight points, Gavin Sheakley scored seven and Chase Lester had five.  Pete Swenson led the team in rebounds with six and scored four points.  Matt Stephany got into the scorebook with two points.  

“We have a chance to play them in the second round of the tournament if we both win our first round games, so hopefully we’ll get another shot at them,” added Coach Kahler.

Charles City 63, CL 60

“We let one slip.”  That was Coach Kahler’s assessment of a three-point loss - Read More Via e-Edition