Clear Lake Falconhoops

Clear Lake 63 - Pearland 61 (Game # 28)

Mere numbers do not do justice to the game fans witnessed tonight in the Pearland gym. Due to an early lack of intensity unusual for the Falcons and some fine play by the Pearland Oilers, the Falcons had a scare they will not soon forget.

Two superb coaches and some truly impressive young basketball players put on a display that most fans would pay much more than $4 to witness. Two especially dazzling displays of basketball acumen by Lake's Paris Clayton and Pearland's Cameron Reynolds  highlighted a night fans will not soon forget (both players will be back next year as they are both juniors).

After an opening quarter where Lake led 14-6 Pearland outscored Lake 28-14 in the second quarter. Pearland controlled the tempo of the game until there was less than 6 minutes remaining to play. With the Oilers up 13 Lake cranked it up several notches and put on a defensive display that would make even Bill Krueger proud.

The Falcons outscored Pearland 25-11 (thanks to a late 12-0 run) in the final period and it all came down to one shot. With the seconds ticking away (15 seconds remaining) and the score tied at 61 after a 3 pointer by Rob Lewis, overtime was looking imminent. After all, it had taken the Clear Brook Wolverines double overtime to narrowly defeat the Oilers 70-68 only 3 games back. But on Pearland's possession the ref called a 5 second closely guarded call on Pearland's Cameron Reynolds which gave Lake possession with 7 seconds remaining. Lake strategically brought the ball down the court, passed to Mr. Cool (Rob Lewis), who authoritatively put up a jump shot from just right of the key with the composure and calmness of a brain surgeon. Lewis's shot was nothing but net as the final buzzer sounded a second later and the Pearland Oilers saw their hopes of upsetting the #13 state ranked Falcons fade away. WOW! What an exciting finish in this District 24-5A matchup!

Outstanding play by Aaron Quintanilla, Jordan Davis, Connor Ruta, Alden Miles, and Will West might have been overshadowed by the electrifying display put on by Paris Clayton but should not be overlooked. Take away one key play from each of these Falcons and the outcome could have undoubtedly been different.

Individual scoring:

Alden Miles 10 points,

Rob Lewis 17 points (including a basket just before the buzzer to win the game)

Paris Clayton 28, 8 steals

Will West 2

Jordan Davis 4

Colton Krenek 2

To view game photos of this season's game as well as previous seasons, go to Photo Albums. Not all games will have photos submitted.