LAKEPORT — The Clear Lake Cardinals completed the first half of their North Central League I South schedule with a dominating 88-77 victory over the St. Helena Saints in varsity boys” basketball action Tuesday at Lakeport.
Ryan Richardson scored a season- and career-high 45 points for the Cardinals, vaulting him to 11th place on the list of Lake County”s all-time scoring leaders with 1,266 points (see graphic on Page A7). The senior is trying to become the first player in county history to score 600 or more points in back-to-back seasons.
“When they told me he had 45, I was in shock,” Clear Lake coach Glenn Wienke said. “I thought he was around 25.”
Richardson, whose previous single-game best was 38 points, connected on 12 of 14 free throws.
“He was hitting from everywhere. He had 13 points by the end of the first quarter,” Wienke said.
The Cardinals outscored the Saints 44-29 in the first half.
“We were lights out in the first half,” Wienke said. “Everybody was playing well and shooting well.”
The Saints (0-3) played a strong second half to stay in the game.
“We lost a little bit of intensity on defense in the second half,” Wienke said.
Richardson”s big night also included 11 rebounds and eight assists. Teammate Seth Glazier added a double-double of 13 points and 12 rebounds and Jason Edwards finished with 13 points.
“Seth was pounding the offensive boards in the first half,” Wienke said. “And Jason is really becoming a floor leader for us.”
Will Saladin”s 26 points led the Saints, Cole Ballentine added 22, and Dante Particelli had 18.
