Lions claim NCC title; fall in District opener

It was a week of highs and lows for the Clear Lake boys basketball team.  The Lions captured their second straight North Central Conference title on the road Friday, but had their season ended Monday night at the hands of Lake Mills in the District Tournament opener.

CL 56, Webster City 54

The Lions had to earn their NCC title the hard way-- on the road.  They began by defeating Webster City (11-8, 7-6) Tuesday night, 56-54.  

A strong third quarter by the Lions turned out to be the difference in the score.  The two teams were separated by just one point at halftime.  The Lynx held a slim 23-22 lead.  However in the third quarter the Lions outscored the home team, 12-7 to pull ahead.  The hung on for the two-point win, 56-54.

“We went back and forth in the first half and really knuckled down defensively, holding them to seven points. We had some timely buckets in the fourth and really executed offensively and defensively,” said Coach Jeremy Ainley.

Matt Stephany led Clear Lake with 18 points on 7/10 shooting from the field.  The senior also pulled down nine rebounds, as did Tamarik Lee, who had six points. Brock Adams and Parker Truesdell each had eight points.  Tanner Storbeck put in five points, Devin Uhlenhopp had three and Tucker Tusha, Thomas Storbeck, Jacob Hogan and Alex VanderPloeg had two points apiece.

CL 47, Algona 44

For the second time in as many weeks the Lions won a close contest over Algona.  This time the three-point victory had the added bonus of giving the Lions their second straight NCC title.  It is the first time since 1972-1973 that the Clear Lake boys have won back-to-back North Central Conference titles.

“With a game meaning so much in relation to the conference title race, we came out with really good energy,” said Coach Jeremy Ainley.  “They went zone and really slowed the game down and we executed just enough, even though we were not making shots.  Overall it was great to win the conference back to back.  That was one of our goals at the start of the year and it feels great to accomplish that.”

The win was hard-earned, as the teams were tied at 10-10 after one quarter.  Clear Lake led at halftime, 17-15.  

The second half was just as even, as the Lions outscored the Bulldogs 15-13 in the third.  Algona won the fourth quarter, 16-15, but it wasn’t enough and the Lions celebrated a - Read More Via e-Edition