UPPER LAKE — Brandon White didn”t feel well in the first half and didn”t play. Halftime score: Clear Lake 25, Upper Lake 23. But White did play in the second half. Final score: 58-48 Clear Lake.
“I wish he would have been a little sicker,” Upper Lake coach Forrest Stogner deadpanned after watching the visiting Cardinals beat his Cougars 58-48 in a North Central League I South varsity boys” basketball game at Upper Lake.
White, a senior forward, scored all of his team-leading 13 points in the second half, six of those during the Cardinals” breakthrough 20-point third quarter, as Clear Lake improved to 3-1 in the South standings and 13-5 overall.
Upper Lake dropped to 0-4 and 4-16 overall.
Determined not to get beat inside by the much bigger Cardinals, Stogner said the Cougars packed in their defense.
“But when you do that they can kick it outside and shoot a 3(-pointer),” Stogner said. “I didn”t want to get beat inside. We tried to take something away.”
Clear Lake outscored Upper Lake 20-9 in the third period.
“We”ve played the best ball we”ve played all season in our last three games and don”t have anything to show for it,” Stogner said. “We”re closer, we”re playing decent ball, but the kids want a win.”
Jacob Widener scored 18 points for the Cougars on 8-for-16 shooting from the floor. He also had 12 rebounds. Jayce Meri added nine points, seven assists and six rebounds.
“Jayce played a hell of a game,” Stogner said.
Armando Martinez had 10 points for the Cardinals and Jameson Holder, Augie Perez and Kory Hook all had eight.
