Announcement
March games
March 7, 2015. Region III Finals
Clear Lake 63 - Clear Creek 56 in double overtime.
Last September before the season started, the Clear Lake boys’ basketball coaching staff got together with a Hollywood script writer to develop a screenplay for a movie about Texas high school basketball. It was to become a “Hoosiers” type story with it all coming down to the wire between two longtime rival schools who had both been ranked among the top schools in the state for most of the season. Before the playoffs, each team would beat the other once by a narrow margin in district play. They would then play each other in the regional tournament finals to decide which school represented the region at the state tournament in Austin. Neither team would have lost more than a couple of games and would never before have faced each other in the regional finals. Both teams would play so hard and be so impressive that neither team would deserve to lose. The game would go into double overtime and be decided by a last second buzzer beater. Clear Lake would win of course since it was their story. It would be the best sports movie released in the decade so far.
That of course is not true but it could have been. There was no Hollywood script writer. The game was not decided by a last second buzzer beater but most of the rest of it is true. It sure seemed like it had been scripted for a movie Saturday afternoon when Clear Lake and Clear Creek faced off in the Region III 6A finals to determined who goes to the state tournament (in San Antonio for the first time in the 94 year history of UIL boys basketball). Lake and Creek have been rivals for over 40 years but had never faced each other this deep in the playoffs before. Just to be playing each other one more time for the bragging rights would have been special since they had each defeated the other by a narrow margin in district play. But to play each other in the regional finals made it ever so sweet for both teams. The stage was set.
If the word “magnificent” can be used to describe a high school basketball game then it was a magnificent game. It was thrilling with a large crowd of very involved, enthusiastic fans on both sides. Creek had been projected to win by more than a few sportswriters, tweeters, and TV personalities who shall remain nameless.
It was exciting and close the entire game and at the end of the third quarter it did not look good for Lake. The momentum seemed to favor Creek who held a 7 point lead. However, anyone who has watched much Clear Lake basketball this year knows what the fourth quarter will look like. Barring any foul trouble (and there was none at this juncture) Bradley George will come on strong, Chris West will come on strong, Orion Lewis will come on strong and Chris Stenerson and Alex Westby will continue to impress the crowd. Lake’s composure will be very evident regardless of the score and Lake will methodically implement their strategy with purposeful precision on both ends of the court. That, combined with truly masterful coaching, is almost always a winning strategy. And that is what happened just like it has happened in so many previous games this season.
In the fourth quarter Lake tied it at 37 with a left side layup by Chris West at the 4:58 mark. It was tied 5 times with multiple lead changes in the final minutes of regulation. A 3 pointer by Creek’s Tyquon Jordan in the last second of regulation put it into overtime. In the first overtime Creek’s Rashadre Wilson drove in for a layup to tie the game with six seconds remaining. In the second overtime it was tied with two minutes remaining but Creek could not score again and Lake pulled ahead with solid free throw shooting down the stretch and timely rebounding. Lake improved their record to 34-2 with Creek finishing the season 33-4.
Orion Lewis finished with 14 points. Bradley George had 16. Chris West had 15. Alex Westby and Chris Stenerson each had 9.
The Falcons head to San Antonio to the Alamodome for the state semifinal game Friday, March 13, where they will face Schertz Clemens at 8:30pm. Schertz is a San Antonio team located close to Randolph Air Force Base. Clear Lake narrowly defeated Clemens 80-76 on December 30, 2014, in the Austin Westlake tournament.
March 6, Friday, Region III 6A Semifinal, Aldine Campbell Center
Clear Lake 68 - Sam Houston 53
In the Region III quarterfinals (fourth round of playoffs) #5 ranked Clear Lake (32-2) faced District 20 champions Houston Sam Houston High School (31-4).
Cool and the Gang win another one!
In another impressive showing the Clear Lake Falcons prevailed over one of the most tenacious defenses they have faced all season. The composure of this Lake squad is, without a doubt, exceptional for a high school boys basketball team. They play their game, they keep cool, and they out manuever their opponents. They are just COOL.
The referees, imported from Fort Worth, called a very tight game (52 fouls were called). 31 of 42 free throw shooting (73.8%) for Lake made a big difference. Orion Lewis had 16 points in the first half (22 total).
Depth off the bench was a major factor in this game due to the number of fouls called. Four of Lake's starters were relegated to the bench with 3 fouls each early in the second half. Lake went scoreless for 5.5 minutes in the third quarter until two free throws broke the ice. Reserves carried the load for much of the second half until some time had ticked away with Alex Westby being the only starter remaining on the floor. Westby, the Captain of Cool, had one of his best efforts this season as he swatted opponents shots away with ease. Lake led by 4 to start the final period. The starters widened the lead when they returned to the floor to pull off a 15 point gain as they sunk their free throws down the stretch.
As of March 6, 2015, Clear Lake's record is 33-2. This is the third best season record in the history of Clear Lake High School. Only the 1988 and 1981 Lake teams had a better record.
Regional Finals - Saturday at the Campbell Center the Falcons will face #6 archrival and District 24-6A crosstown nemesis Clear Creek High School (31-4) at 2pm. In their semifinal game after being up 20 points in the first quarter, the Wildcats had to come from behind to defeat Cy Lakes in the last 33 seconds of the game. This will be the third meeting between Lake and Creek this season. In district play Creek won by 4 in the first, Lake won by 5 in the second. Should be a real barn burner. Come early.
March 3, Tuesday, Pearland High School, Region III Quarterfinal
Clear Lake 73 - Fort Bend Travis 56
In the Region III quarterfinals (third round of playoffs) #5 ranked Clear Lake (31-2) faced highly regarded District 23-6A champions Fort Bend Travis High School (28-6). With their dominant inside game and excellent outside shooting Travis was expected to make it quite a game.
In one of the most impressive showings seen all season the Clear Lake Falcons dismantled a solid Travis team despite Travis's three D1 players destined for college hoops. The Lake squad did not do anything out of the ordinary. They just played their game. But anyone who has seen Clear Lake play this season knows the level at which they play is good enough to beat almost anyone on any given day.
Clear Lake never trailed in the outing and the crowd was repeatedly amazed as the Falcons consistently outperformed their opponents on both ends of the court. Lake outshot, outrebounded, and outhustled their opponents throughout most of the contest. This was a solid team effort that any coach would be proud of.
Bradley George (22 points, 6 rebs.) lit it up from outside when he wasn't driving the lane and drawing fouls. Chris Stenerson, often inspiring his team with his hard work and can-do attitude, had another double double with at least 10 rebounds and 22 points (9 of 10 shooting from the field). Lake scored no points from the two 3 point attempts in the second half but Stenerson's 10 points in the third quarter made it unnecessary. Xavier Fogle (8 points) came off the bench and had a steal and two treys in what seemed like only 90 seconds. Lake made 17 of 25 free throws (68%).
As of March 3, 2015, Clear Lake's record is 32-2. This is the third best season record in the history of Clear Lake High School. Only the 1988 and 1981 Lake teams had a better record.
This Friday at the Campbell Center in Aldine the Falcons will face #18 ranked Houston Sam Houston High School (31-4) at 6pm. The Tigers play a four guard offense with no dominant big man so it should be a great match-up. This will be the most balanced scoring team Lake has faced all season. Come early.
Clear Lake is ranked 5th in the Texas state coaches ranking (TABC, 2-23-15).
