LAKEPORT — The Clear Lake Cardinals can score with the best of them. They also give up points with the best of them.
“We”ve got to find a way to tighten up the defense,” Clear Lake coach Glenn Wienke said following a 76-70 loss to the Cloverdale Eagles in a North Central League I varsity boys” basketball game at Lakeport.
The loss was a critical blow for the Cardinals (5-4, 12-8) in the league race as they slipped two games behind leaders Kelseyville, Middletown and St. Helena, all at 7-2 following Tuesday”s action. Clear Lake plays each of those teams one more time before the end of the regular season.
Not even 32 points from Kyle Donald, who matched his season high, was enough to prevent Clear Lake from losing at home.
“Not getting back, not blocking out,” Wienke said of Clear Lake”s two major shortcomings during the game. “That”s been our Achilles” Heel all season.”
Adrian Perez scored 16 points for the Cardinals and also held one of Cloverdale”s top players, Brett Robinson, to two points in the first half.
Robinson went on to score 16 of Cloverdale”s 42 points in the second half, leading the comeback from a 39-34 halftime deficit.
Steven Edwards had 12 points for the Cardinals and Gabe Strong finished with eight. Donald had three 3-pointers among his 32 points.
“Kyle had one of his best offensive game,” Wienke said.
