Announcement
Clear Lake 71 - Clear Creek 57
With two previous match-ups between Lake and Creek before Friday, to say the two teams are familiar is an understatement. Lake had won the two previous games, one in the CCISD Tournament by 22 and the other at home in overtime by eight.
The Lake team didn’t need much more to get pumped up about before the game, but the Wildcat fans seemed to provide that. After repeated yells and chants by Creek fans, the Kruger Krazies came in and quieted the Creek student section with a “what’s your record” yell (1-9.)
Kyle Ashton, who had a team high 23 points, caught the opening jump ball and scored the first bucket of the game. Both teams were putting pressure on the other’s ball handlers. #5 Denzel Benson seemed to be lightning quick. He stole the ball twice in the first period and finished the plays with lay-ups. Jacob Horton countered the pressure with a smooth step-back jump shot, Jacob finished with 17 points. Jared Miller put Lake up 26-20 at the conclusion of the quarter with a tip-in.Matt McCollum got things started with yet another steal and started a stellar play from Matt to Jacob to Kyle who finished with a bucket for two points. Clear Creek was not going to let the game get away that easily though. #23 Ian Hill nailed a couple of tough three point shots to keep the Wildcats within shouting distance of the Falcons. Jackson Hardage, who started for the first time this season, laid the ball in with 6:21 to go and Lake leading 30-22. The very next possession, Jacob Horton recovered the ball off a steal and rose up and jammed the ball. The ref immediately called a technical foul for “hanging on the rim,” a suspect call to say the least. The two free shots only resulted in one point. The half drew to a close with Lake up 43-30 at Carlisle Court.
The highlight of the second half was not one play. It was a compilation put together by Matt McCollum. Prior to District play Matt played like a traditional point guard -- handle, distribute the ball and play defense. The District season has turned him into another player where he appears to have been given the green light. Matt nailed a three pointer with 5:15 to go and Lake winning 48-37. That was just a taste of what was to come. #11 McCollum nailed four consecutive three point baskets in the third quarter. His last shot came at the 1:30 mark in the third and the Falcons in winning 59-42.
The final period of play was a much slower and more methodical quarter. With the Falcons starting the quarter winning by 17 points, Lake had the option of slowing things down and looking for the best shot. Mark McCollum found that opportunity and went to the hole strong for two points, Mark finished with eight points, six rebounds, and five assists. The Falcons’ strategy only led to nine points in the quarter, but the squad came out with the win in a game that was never really in question.
Fresh off the news from hearing that second place Clear Springs lost to Dickinson, Clear Lake is now in a three way tie for second place, with Brook and Springs. Next week brings the Falcons toughest part of the schedule, Ball at Kruger Field house and Springs away. Clear Lake has four district games remaining in their 2008-2009 season, How they finish these last four games will determine just how many games that can be extended.
Martin Dehlinger
In other District action:
Dickinson 74 - Clear Springs 65
Galveston Ball 66 - Brazoswood 54
Clear Brook 78 - Alvin 46.
Action photos of this game should be posted by Saturday at 4 p.m. To view photos of any game this season, go to Current Season Photos . Use the Browser's "BACK" or "BACK Arrow" to return to this website.
Scoring by player:
Mark McCollum 8 (6 rebounds, 5 assists)
Kyle Ashton 23 (7 rebs.)
Matt McCollum 15 (5 of 8 3's, 7 assists, 2 steals)
Jacob Horton 17 (2 steals)
Blake Gregorcyk 2
Nick Arrington (4 assists)
Jake McKnight - did not play due to injury
Jackson Hardage 2 (2 steals)
Jared Miller 4
|
FALCON STATS |
FG made |
FG attempts |
% |
|
2's |
17 |
32 |
53.1% |
|
3's |
9 |
26 |
34.6% |
|
free throws |
10 |
13 |
76.9% |
| Wildcat free throws |
13 |
17 |
76.4 % |
|
SCORE BY QUARTER |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
|
Clear Lake |
26 |
43 |
62 |
71 |
|
|
Clear Creek |
20 |
30 |
44 |
57 |
|
|
LINESCORE |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
|
Clear Lake |
26 |
17 |
19 |
9 |
71 |
|
Clear Creek |
20 |
10 |
14 |
13 |
57 |
|
REBOUNDS |
Clear Lake |
Them |
|
Offensive |
9 |
6 |
|
Defensive |
16 |
10 |
