Clear Lake Falconhoops

Clear  Lake 68,  Clear Creek 63
Saturday, December 3, 2005

The rivalry between Clear Creek and Clear Lake goes back over thirty years to the days when Clear Lake High School was built and hired Creek’s head coach, Bill Krueger. Although it is not typical or preferable that Lake compete against their arch rivals prior to district play, sometimes it works out like that. As usual, the outcome is never very predictable. With Clear Creek ranked 10^th in the region and 20^th in the state and Clear Lake unranked and not even suppose to make the playoffs in some opinions, the Falcons were noticeable underdogs coming into the semifinal match-up of the 73^rd Annual CCISD Classic Tournament. Sometimes being the underdog is a good thing. It is almost always good for Clear Lake to be the less favored.

 A victory over Clear Creek is even sweeter when Lake is not supposed to win. Creek has not had the strongest of teams in the past five or so years so they are reveling in the glow of having a really good team this season. Led by their three point ace, West Point bound Lance Pevehouse (18.4 ppg), and backed up by 6’9” big man Coy Custer (regional leader in blocked shots with 2.4 pg), the Wildcats are formidable competition for almost anyone this year. That makes a victory over Creek even sweeter. The Falcons were supposed to be out sized and outgunned in this contest. Clear Lake’s 6’ 5” is not considered big among the large 5A schools these days but the Falcons have one of the best defensive teams in the school’s history and they are not accustomed to being out rebounded by very much. The depth off the bench is not too shabby either.

The game started with Kendrell Thompson hitting three three’s to put Lake in the lead 9-5. Then a steal by Armie Lewis and a layup made it 11-5. The quarter closed with Lake up by 6, 17-11.

In the second quarter Creek narrowed the gap and tied the game at 21 with 4:22 remaining in the period. Two free throws by Kendrell gave the Falcons the lead again. A minute later Creek knotted it again at 23. A critical rebound by Ross Maha and a pass to Armie Lewis who sank a trey made it 26-23. Clear Lake would not relinquish the lead again in the close game. Another timely key rebound by Ross and a pass to Armie who drove the lane in traffic to score made it 30-23. Creek reduced the lead to 5 when Pevehouse hit a three, 30-25 with 45 seconds remaining in the first half. Two free throws by Armie and another Creek basket closed the half at 32-28, Lake up by 4. Another exciting Lake-Creek close game.

Forty-five seconds into the third quarter Jimmy Witten went to the bench with his third foul. Creek then closed the gap to 1 point 32-31. Kendrell Thompson scored 13 points in the first half. Creek’s strategy was to shut down Kendrell in the second half which they did. Justin Kurtz then stepped up to lead the Falcons with 18 points in the second half. With 3:40 left in the third quarter a pass from Armie to Jon Gilmer who was wide open under the basket brought the score to 41-36, Lake by 5. Creek’s tenacity kept the score close but Lake briefly increased their lead to 10 points when Fulton Brisco fed the ball to Andy Leveque for a drive down the middle with two minutes left in the quarter. The quarter closed at 48-43, Lake by 5.

Jimmy Witten hit a quick basket to open the fourth quarter. Creek played with confidence and composure but every time they would pull close Justin would hit another trey to put a discouraged look on their faces. With just over four minutes remaining in the ball game Creek narrowed the gap to 53-50 before Kurtz hit another three to increase the lead to six (Justin hit four of five from the field in the final period). In the last three minutes we started using the clock but lost the ball a couple of times. Six consecutive free throws by RJ Turner and two by Armie Lewis once Creek got into desperation mode and started fouling put the icing on the cake. With 26 seconds remaining in the game, the score was 65-63. In the waning two minutes Creek’s Pevehouse was allowed several almost uncontested shots because Lake would not attempt to stop him (for fear of fouling) so three or four of his baskets came late in the game after it was almost too late. Final score was 68-63, a good win for Clear Lake.

Now Creek’s savvy head coach Buddy Carlisle, in his 30^th year coaching at his alma mater, is armed with the knowledge of what must be done to stop their arch rivals once district play begins. The next time the two teams meet the Falcons can once again take Creek's big man out of the game as they successfully did in this struggle. The question is can the Falcons develop more distributed shooting from the rest of the team since intense defensive pressure will be applied to Kendrell and Justin when next the two rivals meet. Time will tell.

Individual Scoring:
Justin Kurtz 24 (18 in the second half),
Kendrell Thompson 13, Armie Lewis 11,  RJ Turner 10,
Jimmy Witten 4, Jon Gilmer 4, Andy Leveque 2

FALCON STATS	FG made	FG attempts	%
2's	15	31	48%
3's	8	20	40%
free throws	14	16	88%

SCORE BY QUARTER	1	2	3	4
Clear Lake	17	15	16	20
Clear Creek	11	17	15	20

LINESCORE	1	2	3	4	Final
Clear Lake	17	32	48	68	68
Clear Creek	11	28	43	63	63

REBOUNDS	US	THEM
Offensive	11	12
Defensive	10	14

TENACIOUS FALCONS FALL TO NORTH SHORE IN QUADRUPLE OVERTIME

(The write-up for this game is lengthy and wordy. For this, I apologize. It is not often one gets to witness a quadruple overtime game).

Until Wednesday night the Clear Lake Falcons had not played an overtime game this season. Surely they have given their fans several exciting games already, but no overtime games. Looks like they were saving up for a doozy. On an evening when the visiting teams and many fans had to overcome a thunderstorm that dumped a deluge of rain on the Houston area and the resultant street flooding that delayed team buses for almost one hour, the hearty crowd who overcame the weather to watch their team play the annual non-district match-up between the Falcons and the North Shore Mustangs were rewarded with a once-in-a-lifetime basketball game.

The Mustangs are expected by many roundball aficionados to win their district. They came in as heavy favorites due primarily to their three returning all-district lettermen. That just increases the determination of the tenacious Falcons who repeatedly demonstrate they are so much better than many of the purported experts seem to regard them (some polls are beginning to indicate some respect for the Falcons so stay tuned).

First Quarter
The game started out with Falcon Jimmy Witten getting his first foul in the first twenty seconds of the ball game. Oh no. Here we go again! Witten, a junior, has already won the unofficial award for having more unjustified fouls called on him this season than any Falcon in the last decade. What is it about these refs and Witten? Why do they seem so inclined to call so many fouls on him? Sure he commits some of them. Any big man does and the refs like to call fouls on the big men. But this has gone on too long.

Sorry for the digression. The game stayed close in the first quarter with North Shore up by 3. Throughout the game North Shore scored more easily than Clear Lake due to the accurate outside shooting of the Mustangs Chad Tyler(#10, 31 points) and superb inside play of their big man, 6’ 6” Kenneth Clayton (25 points) and Sam Young (19 points).  North Shore has good team quickness, superb defense, noticeably good offensive rebounding, and excellent, unselfish teamwork combined with above average shooting from the field. Teams like this are very difficult to beat.

Second Quarter
In the second quarter Lake kept it close and narrowed the gap to 2 ,24-26, at mid-quarter when Jimmy Witten made two free throws. With two minutes remaining in the first half, Justin Kurtz made a bullet pass in traffic to Armie Lewis who made his layup. This brought it to 26-30, Lake down by 4. The foul count was 8 (Lake) and 4 at this point. A last second basket by Armie brought it to 28-34 to close out the half.

Third Quarter
After some Lake strategy changes at halftime, the Falcons tied the score at 36 with five minutes left when Kendrell Thompson hit a three from the top of the key. This was the first of ten times the game would be tied. The two teams traded baskets throughout the quarter and the score remained close. With one minute left in the quarter the score was tied at 42 when Armie got a rebound and drove down for a contested layup. Lake gained the lead at the end of the quarter when Justin hit two free throws to put Lake up 44-42 with 26 seconds remaining.

Fourth Quarter
In the first half of the fourth quarter the Falcons held on to a narrow lead of two to four points. Lake would score then the Mustangs would score. Kendrell hit two free throws with 2:58 remaining to give Lake a 58-53 lead, their widest margin of the game so far. With a one point lead, 62-61 with 1:21 left in regulation play, Lake started a stall but the North Shore quickness would not be denied. In the last minute it appeared that Clear Lake would win the game. With 35 seconds remaining Kendrell stole an errant pass and drove to the basket but was fouled. His free throws made it 66-61. Some Falcon fans were beginning to relax?? Two more free throws by Armie Lewis made it 68-62 before a Mustang basket made it 68-64 (Lewis scored 18 points in the second half). With 17 seconds remaining. a foul called on Jimmy Witten, his fifth, put them at the line to make it 68-65. Two free throws by Armie missed their mark before North Shore drove down and nailed a three to tie the game with 7.9 seconds left. Lake had a final chance to score with enough time but could not close the deal. Final score in regulation was tied at 68.

First Overtime
After an initial basket by North Shore in the first overtime period, Armie drove down for a layup. Then another.72-75. Another basket by the Mustangs make it 72-77. With 46 seconds left North Shore missed both free throws, got the rebound but was called for traveling. A pass from Armie to Jon Gilmer in the paint made it 74-77 when Gilmer made a critical basket. North Shore’s #10, Chad Tyler finally missed a free throw but made the second, 74-78. With 17 seconds remaining Justin Kurtz hit a relaxed trey from the left corner like it was just a scrimmage. 77-78. The Mustang’s Tyler missed another free throw but made the second again. 77-79. With the clock ticking the final seconds away, Justin launched another three point attempt from the corner but missed when he is fouled with 3.9 seconds left. Justin hit two of the three free throws to put the game into another overtime period.

Second Overtime
A free throw by Kendrell and two by Andy Leveque brought the score to 84-85 with 1:50 left in the period. With 36 seconds left Justin got fouled when he drove the right side of the hoop with the score 84-85. Justin made the second free throw to tie the game at 85. With 3.8 seconds remaining North Shore drove the right side of their basket which had been working well for them all night. A humongous monster block by Justin re-invigorated the already standing crowd and put the game into another overtime with the score at 85.

Third Overtime
Justin Kurtz, jumping center against a taller Kenneth Clayton whose long arms seemed to reach to the sky all night, was out-jumped at the game tip off and at the start of the first two overtime periods. But not this time. Kurtz controlled the ball. Kendrell got the ball and drove for a layup to start the period. Then a steal by Kendrell and a layup by Armie made it 89-85. At the 1:23 mark, Andy made one of two free throws to make it 90-88. A basket by Andy made it 92-90. North Shore scored to tie at 92. A last second Hail Mary three attempt by Justin missed the mark. How about another overtime?

Fourth Overtime
Back in the day in high school basketball, after three overtime periods the game went into sudden death which means whichever team scored first won. Nowadays, the overtime periods continue until the fans hearts just cannot take it any more, the players and refs all collapse on the court from exhaustion, or the female score keepers rebel for want of a potty break.

The final overtime period was all North Shore. Having already demonstrated incredible stamina, you had to wonder just how much more these players (from both teams) had to give. The fatigue was evident and the energy still being displayed was impressive. In the first two minutes of the period North Shore pulled ahead after scoring seven unanswered points. 92-99. Lake’s shots fell short but a lone free throw by Kendrell made it 93-101. With 1:30 remaining Kendrell hit a three from the corner to make it 96-101. Then a superb defensive full court press by Lake prevented the Mustangs from advancing the ball across mid court so Lake regained control of the ball but Lake’s try for basket missed. With North Shore making their free throws and shots, the Mustangs increased the lead to 10. A final, uncontested dunk by Kendrell brought the score to 98-106. The Falcons went 2 of 8 in the final overtime.

Summary
This was an historic night in Clear Lake basketball. In my recollection there has never been a quadruple overtime boys’ varsity game played by Clear Lake High School anywhere. This game allowed two very well rounded teams to display their talent and stamina in a game that was delayed almost one hour due to bad weather (not to mention a power outage in the ninth grade center).

This game represented what Clear Lake basketball is all about. Rising to the occasion to meet a formidable adversary. Respect for your teammates and for your competition. Doing your very best. Working together. Working your hardest for the success of your team and your school. Digging down deep to give just a little more when there may not be any more left in the tank. Doing it all with class.

Despite the game resulting in a loss, it would be a mistake to overlook the positive aspects of such a contest. There is a lot more that comes from games with worthy opponents than just a mark in the “W column”.  Pre-district games such as this are meant to help prepare the team for district play. In several aspects of the team’s development, this game went a long way toward doing just that.

There are those among the basketball fan populous who live for the overtime game. The only thing better than an exciting, close game of high school boys basketball that goes right down to the wire is one that plays into overtime before your team wins. For some it seems if one overtime period is great, then two overtimes is even greater.

There are also those fans who wish every game would be decided in triple overtime. Certainly not coaches whose ulcers could not stand the strain, but stouthearted fans who seem to feel they get more of their money’s worth with overtimes. For most fans, even the die hards who attend way too many basketball games, a four overtime game is a dream that is usually never fulfilled.

As a long time fan of Clear Lake basketball, I would like to express my gratitude to this team for what I witnessed in this game: the effort expended, the mastery of the game, the obvious commitment and dedication, and the character, determination and will to win displayed by a team of developing young players. For those of us who want every game to be decided in triple overtime, thank you for fulfilling this dream. Years after we move to the new Krueger Field House and the current gym becomes a practice facility filled with shadows and memories, they will still be talking about this game and the memory of Armie’s 33 points and, oh yeah, Justin’s awesome shot block that sent us into the third overtime.

Individual scoring:
Armie Lewis 33 (game high)(7 assists), Kendrell Thompson 19, Justin Kurtz 15 (1 NBA styled blocked shot),  Andy Leveque 11, Jimmy Witten 10 (10 rebounds),
Jon Gilmer 7 (6 offensive rebounds), Brandon Wynn 3, RJ Turner 2

FALCON STATS	FG made	FG attempts	%
2's	29	62	50%
3's	5	24	21%
free throws	25	38	66%

SCORE BY PERIOD	1	2	3	4	OT1	OT2	OT3	OT4
Clear Lake	13	28	44	68	79	85	92	98
North Shore	16	34	42	68	79	85	92	106

LINESCORE	1	2	3	4	OT1	OT2	OT3	OT4	Final
North Shore	16	18	8	26	11	6	7	14	106
Clear Lake	13	15	16	24	11	6	7	6	98

REBOUNDS	US	THEM
Offensive	16
Defensive	21

Clear Lake 42 - Nacogdoches 33

In the second round of the 73^rd annual CCISD Classic Tournament the Clear Lake Falcons faced the state-ranked (#12 in 4A) Nacogdoches Dragons. The determined Falcons knew they had their work cut out for them. The Nacogdoches squad is led by Oklahoma bound 6’8” forward Damion James who is ranked in the top 20 nationally in some polls. It is easy to see why. His talent on the court is impressive. The Falcons remembered the defeat handed to them last year in this tournament by the Dragons as well. James was dominant in that contest and this year they were almost as strong. But the Falcons believed they have a talented squad that was up to the task.

It is not likely that you will win a close game if you shoot only 33% from the field and only 43% from the free throw line as the Falcons did. Seventeen turnovers cannot help but make matters worse either. But the Falcons still won the ball game. They won it because they wanted it bad and they knew they could win. They believed in themselves. Maybe they do not have a dominant big man but they are multi-talented and they are disciplined. At times very disciplined. This was one of those times. They won it because they played their game and refused to be taken out of it. They won it because of the outstanding usage of their bench personnel. They won it because they played so well together. They won it mentally because they enabled Damion James to self-destruct out of the frustration caused by effective defense. The Falcon defense held the state-ranked Nacogdoches bunch to 3 points in the first quarter and 4 points in the fourth quarter. That defense is what won the game.

Both teams started out slowly. In the first four minutes of the hard fought contest Clear Lake scored one basket and Nacogdoches did not score. After a basket by RJ Turner, Mr. Smooth, Kendrell Thompson, weaved his way through traffic for a lay-up to show the Dragons what they had to contend with. 7-1 in favor of the Falcons. After a basket by Justin Kurtz on a feed from Andy Leveque, Kendrell drained a three to make it 12-1 with 1:36 remaining in the first quarter. Nacogdoches scored their first basket with less than 15 seconds remaining in the quarter.

Nacogdoches narrowed the gap to 12-7 in the first two and one half minutes of the second quarter before Brandon Wynn hit one of his signature three's to make it 19-11 with 3:10 left. After a steal Armie Lewis then hit a trey to make it 22-11. The half closed at 22-16, Lake up by 6.

In the third quarter Justin Kurtz drove to the basket from the right side for a layup with three defenders standing in amazement as he twisted his body to allow the shot to fall. 26-16 with 6:10 remaining in the third quarter. Moments later, Justin took an in-bounds pass right under our basket and put it in to bring it to 30-16, a 14 point lead due to four unanswered baskets by the Falcons. After some questionable calls by the refs to even out the foul count, the quarter closed at 35-29, Falcons by 6.

The Falcons continued to control the tempo of the game in the final period. With 4:52 remaining in the ball game the Dragons’ James fouled out. With him in the game the Dragons were a one man team. When he was on the bench the Dragons actually played better so it was not celebration time just yet. Lake persisted with their methodical, disciplined play and won the game 42-33. Whew!

The Falcons face off against the Clear Creek Wildcats (ranked 20th in 5A in the state) in the semifinals at 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

Individual Scoring:
Kendrell Thompson 11, Justin Kurtz 10,
Armie Lewis 6, Fulton Brisco 4, Brandon Wynn 3, Andy Leveque 3, RJ Turner 3, Jimmy Witten 2

FALCON STATS	FG made	FG attempts	%
2's	12	28	43%
3's	4	20	20%
free throws	6	14	43%

SCORE BY QUARTER	1	2	3	4
Clear Lake	12	10	13	7
Nacogdoches	3	13	13	4

LINESCORE	1	2	3	4	Final
Clear Lake	12	22	35	42	42
Nacogdoches	3	16	29	33	33

REBOUNDS	US	THEM
Offensive	10	11
Defensive	17	18

Despite having some good quickness at the guard position, Baytown Sterling did not have the talent or the depth to match up to Clear Lake. Every Falcon who played, scored. Christian Enriquez is still out with a shoulder injury. Nuf said.

Individual Scoring:

Justin Kurtz 15 pts., Kendrell Thompson 12,
Andy Leveque 8 (5 rebounds), Jimmy Witten 8 (7 rebounds, 3 blocked shots, 3 steals), Armie Lewis 7 (6 rebounds), Brandon Wynn 5, RJ Turner 5, Ross Maha 4, Fulton Brisco 4, Jon Gilmer 2

FALCON STATS	FG made	FG attempts	%
2's	22	48	42%
3's	6	17	35%
free throws	8	11	73%

SCORE BY QUARTER	1	2	3	4
Clear Lake	19	10	23	18
Baytown Sterling	12	8	12	9

LINESCORE	1	2	3	4	Final
Clear Lake	19	29	52	70	70
Baytown Sterling	12	20	32	41	41

REBOUNDS	US	THEM
Offensive	11	8
Defensive	25	20

 
Birthday: November 11, 1988

Jersey number: 44

Elementary school attended: Brookwood Elementary

Intermediate school attended: Space Center Intermediate

Number of years playing school basketball: 5

Graduating Class of 2007

Favorite subject: Spanish

Favorite teacher: Tony Carroll

Favorite NBA or college player(s): Larry Bird, Jason Williams, Pete Maravich, and The Professor

Favorite book: Where The Red Fern Grows

Favorite food: Oatmeal Creme Pies

Favorite movie: And 1 mix tapes

Favorite TV show: Family Guy and South Park

Other sports or school activities I participate in: none

Hobbies: video games, computer, YMCA, sleeping

Person I would most like to meet: Larry Bird

I would like to attend college at: anywhere I can play basketball

My plans after high school are: go to college and become successful at something.

What I would like for people to remember about me: that I loved basketball and I would not give it up for anything in the world.