Clear Lake Falconhoops

Clear Lake 64 – Hastings 60

For the first time in thirteen years and only the fifth time in the school’s thirty-four year history, Clear Lake has advanced to the Regional Finals in basketball. And they did it in style and with finesse in a victory over the Alief Hastings Bears. If there were any doubts about the Falcons' ability to get up for a big game against a quality opponent, they were erased tonight in a very fast paced game at the Aldine Campbell Center in the first game semifinal match-up.

The Falcons got off to a quick start when Kendrell Thompson started it all with a signature three pointer for the first basket of the game. After Hastings countered with a trey to tie it at 3, Kendrell scored another quick three pointer to help set the tone of the game. Clear Lake took the early lead but Hastings took over 6-8 with 4:15 remaining in the first quarter. An Armie Lewis trey took the lead back on Lake’s next possession 9-8 at the 3:26 mark (Lewis led his team with 19 points in the game). Then a Jimmy Witten pass found RJ Turner for a basket with 2:40 left to put the score at 11-8. With one minute remaining in the quarter it was 14-10. A missed trey by Lake and a made trey by Hastings put it at 14-13 with 20 seconds to go. On the next possession Armie Lewis drove the lane and scored on sheer determination to end the period. 16-13, Lake by 3.

It was evident early that Lake was prepared. The Falcons were relaxed, confident and brought their “A” game on both ends of the court. Every player played well and all of the starters played what could only be described as outstanding team basketball. Based on reactions from some members of the crowd who had not seen Clear Lake play this season, it was very evident why the Falcons had made it this far in the playoffs.

Kendrell Thompson also started the second quarter with a basket and a free throw to make it 19-15. It was 21-19 with five minutes remaining in the quarter when RJ Turner scored a bucket. With 3:15 left in the first half it was 25-20, Lake up by 5 when Jimmy Witten really made his presence known. His basket then two free throws made it 29-22 at the 2:15 mark. A Hastings basket and then another basket by Witten made it 31-24. With the exception of Jimmy’s scoring, in the second quarter each Falcon starter scored one basket. Witten had a breakaway quarter and scored all of his 8 points in the period to keep the Falcons in the lead. Then, with the quarter drawing to a close, Armie Lewis did the same thing he had done at the end of the first quarter. He drove the lane unassisted and scored a layup to close the half at 33-24.

In the first 100 seconds of the third quarter the Falcons widen their lead to 41-29 as they continued their multitalented attack on the Bears. Hastings’s leading scorer, and one of the leading scorers in the region, B. J. Holmes, with a game high 23 points for the outing, countered with one of his almost unstoppable treys to narrow the margin. It was 46-36 with 4:26 remaining in the quarter before the Bears scored three unanswered buckets to narrow the lead to 46-42. The very intense basketball game continued as the Falcons executed one clever offensive play after another to keep the Bears at bay. Two buckets by Fulton Brisco, who delivered another rock-solid performance anchored by key offensive rebounds, made it 52-46. A score by Hastings and then a hard earned basket by RJ Turner closed the third quarter at 54-48.

Midway through the final quarter it was 60-52 as baskets by Armie, Kendrell, and Christian Enriquez added to the tally. It was 60-56 when the Falcons went to their slow down, clock management game to use up almost four minutes remaining on the clock. The superb defense by the Hastings Bears paid off some but they had to resort to fouling as the clock ticked away. Precision passing by the Falcons was again a key factor in the win. A last second  desperation shot by A&M bound B. J. Holmes was nullified by outstanding defense by the Falcons. Four clutch free throws down the stretch by Lake's Armie Lewis, the leading free throw shooter in the region, made the final score 64-60. The Falcons were 7 for 7 from the free throw line tonight.

This was a superb, fast paced basketball game where both teams played exceptionally well. The Falcons showcased their wide ranging talents as each of Lake’s starters repeatedly sparkled in pressure situations. The steadfast reserves came in and did their job with only a slight notice in the change of personnel. Armie Lewis had a calming, stabilizing influence on his teammates and some of the crowd whenever he controlled the ball. Kendrell Thompson had one of his best overall games of this season on both ends of the court as he added an outstanding nine key rebounds and 14 points to the cause. Fulton Brisco, who has elevated his play during the playoffs to remain one of the team’s leading scorers, turned in another rock-solid effort on both ends of the court as well. RJ Turner’s intense defense and aggressive offense continues to be one of team’s mainstays. Jimmy Witten, perhaps one of the most underrated inside men in the region, once again provided the beacon from which his teammates radiated. Ever the warrior on both ends of the court, Witten’s grit and determination, combined with his intelligent basketball, inspired his teammates one more time.

The Falcons face the #2 state ranked Kingwood Mustangs at 4 p.m. Saturday in the regional finals at the Campbell Center. Perhaps the Houston Chronicle’s Sam Khan really does know his stuff since he predicted this match-up almost three weeks ago. The winner of that game advances to the state playoffs in Austin next weekend.

The keys to victory for the Falcons in the Kingwood game will be:
1. a good night's rest.
2. Lake's superb outside shooting combined with pinpoint accuracy in their passing. 
Kingwood will not allow Clear Lake's guards to penetrate successfully and they will stifle Lake's game in the paint. The Falcons must overcome the quickness of Kingwood's guards to get many decent outside shots.
3. Partially contain Kingwood's inside game.
4. Stop Kingwood's #21 Trevin Harris and contain #11 Trumaine Johnson.

The Falcons have proven repeatedly that their offense can rise to the level required to win a  game like this. If Lake can patch a few of the holes in their defense, the underdog Falcons should pack their bags for Austin.

Photos for this game can be found at http://picasaweb.google.com/falconhoops Sunday afternoon.

Individual Scoring:
Armie Lewis 19, Kendrell Thompson 14 (9 rebounds), Fulton Brisco 12,
Jimmy Witten 8 (7 rebounds, 7 assists), RJ Turner 6 (6 assists), Christian Enriquez 5

FALCON STATS	FG made	FG attempts	%
2's	21	35	60.0%
3's	5	12	41.7%
free throws	7	7	100%

SCORE BY QUARTER	1	2	3	4
Clear Lake	16	33	54	64
Hastings	13	24	48	60

LINESCORE	1	2	3	4	Final
Clear Lake	16	17	21	10	64
Hastings	13	11	24	12	60

REBOUNDS	LAKE	THEM
Offensive	12
Defensive	19