Clear Lake Falconhoops

During the season teams become familiar with each other. There was no team the Falcons were any more familiar with than the young Clear Springs Chargers, whom they have previously lost to twice this season. Clear Lake traveled to the new Clear Springs High School with hopes that the third time was a charm.         

The first five minutes of the first quarter was a battle of the Horton’s (not related). Lake’s Jacob Horton and Anthony Horton from Clear Springs combined for 11 of 13 first quarter points in the first five minutes. Jacob Horton scored a team high 18 points. Clear Springs' Anthony Horton countered to score a game high 23 points. Mark McCollum finished the first quarter off strong putting Clear Lake in the lead 16-10.         

The Falcons extended their lead to 21-12 with 6:43 remaining in the second period thanks to a Blake Gregorcyk three point basket. For awhile it looked like Clear Lake was carrying over its strong play from the previous game against Galveston on Tuesday. Clear Springs was here to show that its two game losing streek was a fluke. The Chargers certainly did that. They went on to have an 8-0 run. Clear Lake took a timeout with 3:31 in the second and the score 21-20, with Lake ahead by 1. The score stayed close for the remainder of the half with the advantage going to Clear Lake, 25-24.         

The third period was high scoring with both teams combining to score 42 points. Jacob Horton kept the Clear Lake lead at one making it 31-30 with two straight three pointers. Jackson Hardage helped out with a lay-up midway through the third quarter to extend the lead to three. Clear Springs would not go away though, countering every Lake bucket with one of their own. Kyle Ashton, who had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, helped Lake contend with Springs’ larger frontcourt. The quarter ended with Clear Springs eclipsing Clear Lake by one point at the end of the third quarter.         

In the final quarter Clear Springs got off to the early start extending the lead to five until Mark McCollum, who finished with 13 points, five assists, and four rebounds stole the ball at half-court, scored, got fouled and completed the three point play. Kyle Ashton finally tied the game up with 3:02 to go with the score tied at 52. That would be the closest Clear Lake would get. Springs shot an outstanding 83% from the free throw line compared to Lakes’ 71%. Clear Springs size and athleticism proved too much for the Falcons, with the final score being Clear Springs 65 and Clear Lake 57.          

The Falcons loss means they lose control of their own destiny, being tied for second with two other teams and not having the tiebreaker for either team. Clear Lake takes on Alvin at home on Tuesday in what will be the Seniors’ final home game at Krueger Field House. Then Lake travels to Brook to play for either second place or fourth and the best playoff seed they can get.

 --Martin Dehlinger 

In other district 24-5A action Friday night:

Brazoswood 47 at Alvin 65
Dickinson 69 at Clear Brook 64
Clear Creek 40 at Galveston Ball 62

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INDIVIDUAL SCORING 

Mark McCollum 13 (5 of 5 free throws, 5 assists, 4 rebs.)

Kyle Ashton 12 (10 rebounds)

Matt McCollum 7

Jacob Horton 18

Blake Gregorcyk 3

Nick Arrington 0

Brick Pomeroy - did not play

Jake McKnight -injury

Jackson Hardage 2

Jared Miller 2 (4 rebounds, 1 CD)