LAKEPORT — While their perimeter game has abandoned them several times this season, the Clear Lake Cardinals finally hit the one big outside shot coach Ken Hook has been looking for all season.
And talk about your perfect timing!
Jameson Holder buried a 3-pointer from the right corner with 20 seconds remaining to wipe out a 56-55 deficit and lift the Cardinals to a dramatic 58-56 win over the St. Vincent Mustangs on Friday night during a pivotal North Central League I South varsity boys” basketball game at Clear Lake High School.
As a result of Clear Lake”s win and Cloverdale”s 64-39 victory over St. Helena on Friday, the NCL I South race will most likely end in a three-way tie. Cloverdale wrapped up its league schedule at 6-2 and both Clear Lake and St. Vincent are 5-2 with one game remaining. Clear Lake hosts Upper Lake (0-7) on Tuesday while St. Vincent visits St. Helena (2-5).
In the event of a three-way tie, Clear Lake, by virtue of a number-draw tie-breaker held prior to the start of the season, will receive the South”s automatic berth into the North Coast Section playoffs, which means the Cardinals will advance to the Division IV postseason tournament.
“We still have a game left against Upper Lake and I”m not looking past them,” Hook said of the Cougars. “We need to win that game.”
Clear Lake trailed 45-39 entering the fourth quarter and it wasn”t until Holder connected from long range that the Cardinals finally had the lead.
“It was just an open shot and he took it with confidence,” Hook said of Holder”s 3-pointer the only 3-pointer Clear Lake made all night. “And he drilled it.”
After Clear Lake scored to move in front, St. Vincent missed a shot, Clear Lake grabbed the rebound and the Mustangs were forced to foul, but the Cardinals missed the front end of a one-and-one with five seconds remaining. Before the Mustangs could attempt a last-second shot, Clear Lake”s Nick Falconer stole the ball to end the game.
Kory Hook”s 15 points and 10 rebounds led the Cardinals, now 15-7 overall. Holder finished with 13 points and Brandon White had 10 points and eight rebounds.
