Clear Lake Falconhoops

Clear Lake 76 – FB Marshall 67 

Clear Lake’s surprising early record of one win and two defeats was confounding the thoughts of coaches and fans alike. After what could be described as lackluster showings in all three of Clear Lake’s initial games to open the 2008-09 season, many fans were wondering when the real Falcon squad would surface and display the talent and skill that some of us had been boasting about to those who inquired about Lake’s prospects this season.  

Fort Bend Marshall, always a worthy adversary, forced the thought of a 1-3 opening season record (which would have been the worst in Clear Lake High School's history).  These dreaded thoughts had to creep into the minds of those who tend to look ahead at such things. But maybe the squad would finally get it together to display the formidable talent that lay there just under the surface - the talent evident in the summer league, the team camps, and the scrimmages.  

Any concerns about defeat seemed almost far-fetched and were quickly put to rest early in the first quarter as Matt McCollum put on a clinic about how to play point guard on both ends of the court. Matt quickly took control of the game with steals to deny Marshall scoring attempts. With four steals in the first quarter, three in what seemed like less than the first three minutes of the game resulting in Lake scores by Matt or Kyle Ashton slashing to the basket, McCollum’s outstanding play set the tone for the first half of the game as the Falcons would dominate the game. 

In the first quarter with the score at 12-2 in Lake’s favor a basket by Marshall attempted to wake the Buffs from the nightmare they were finding themselves in. But then Jacob Horton went to work on them. Horton’s first shot added a three pointer and then another to make it 18-4 while the Buff’s struggled to awakened from their dazed state of disbelief. Marshall started to get it together and seven points by the Buffs brought it to 18-11 by the end of the first quarter. 

But it was evident by this point that the "Real Clear Lake Team" had shown up for this game. In the second quarter baskets by Mark McCollum (ten points, five assists, five rebounds, three steals in the game), a three by Blake Gregorcyk, and a free throw by Kyle made it 27-13 to widen the gap again. Marshall shot 13 free throws in the first half and seemed to be mostly back in the game. At the half it was 35-28. 

The second half offered only slight domination by the Falcons and the game was not so one sided. Marshall played better than they had in the first half and continued to noticeably out rebound Clear Lake. Since the officiating seemed to noticeably favor the struggling Buffs that helped as well. Had they made their free throws it would have been a much different game (the Buffs shot 22 free throws in the contest but connected with only 8).  

It is difficult to defeat a team who is noticeably outrebounding you and getting more favorable calls from the refs but Jacob Horton was hot and went 6 of 8 from the field in the second half to finish with a game-high 24 points while Kyle Ashton proved he was virtually unstoppable in the paint. Every time Marshall would start to feel they might be able to get control of the game Kyle or Jacob would adjust the Buffs thinking with a basket or two. Four Falcons finished in double figures.

Other than 5 points from Blake Gregorcyk, there were no points from the bench which is surprising. Free throws down the stretch by Matt and Kyle made the difference to assure the victory.  

It was a superb basketball game that displayed the Falcons teamwork, quick thinking, excellent ball handling and outside shooting along with very hard working defense. Kyle Ashton’s work in the paint slashing to the hoop and Jacob Horton’s outside shooting were showcased. This is what the fans knew possible and have been waiting for. Even though concern about team consistency will be in the back of some minds for awhile the Falcons appear to be back on track and ready to enter the CCISD Tournament on Thursday. Let’s hope so.  

Action photos for this game can now be found at Current season albums  .  Since no comments were received on the slideshows, they will probably be discontinued.

Individual Scoring:

Jacob Horton 24 (6 of 9 from 3 point range), Kyle Ashton 21,

Matt McCollum 13 (6 assists, four steals, 5 rebounds), Mark McCollum 10 (5 rebs, 6 assists, 3 steals),

Blake Gregorcyk 5, Jared Miller 3