LAKEPORT — Jason Edwards hit two pressure-packed free throws with 12.1 seconds remaining to give Clear Lake a 57-54 lead and Jared Ashworth sank two more free throws with 0.8 seconds left to seal the Cardinals” 59-55 victory over the Middletown Mustangs in the early junior varsity game on Thursday during the 14th annual Record-Bee Hoop Classic at Lakeport.
Middletown trailed by as many as eight points early in the fourth quarter but closed to within one at 55-54 on a John Reymundo basket with under a minute to play. Both teams missed chances to score before Edwards was fouled.
With the Cardinals in the double bonus, the sophomore stepped to the line and buried both of his free throws to give his team a three-point lead. Reymundo made one of two free throws with 2.3 seconds left to cut Clear Lake”s lead to 57-55.
Forced to foul, the Mustangs sent Ashworth to the line and he also made both of his shots.
Ryan Grady”s 13 points led a balanced Clear Lake attack. Ashworth added 12 points.
Ryan Johnson”s 15 points paced Middletown and Brandon Skinner had nine.
Upper Lake 65, Lower Lake 54
In the late JV game, Upper Lake picked up its first tournament win at the expense of the Lower Lake Trojans, who were led by 21 points from Jaymen Richardson, including four 3-pointers. Scott Zandt added 10 points.
Mike Dawson and Nicholas Palomo had 17 points apiece to lead Upper Lake.
