LAKEPORT — David Mansell scored 17 of his team-leading 21 points in the first half as the Clear Lake Cardinals rolled past the St. Helena Saints 65-31 in North Central League I junior varsity boys” basketball action Friday in Lakeport.
Clear Lake takes a 12-0 league record and a 23-1 overall mark into the final week of the regular season. The Knights can clinch no worse than a league co-championship with a victory tonight at home against Kelseyville. The Cardinals close out the season Thursday at home against Middletown (11-1), a game that will have meaning for both teams in regard to the league race.
The Cardinals, winners of 18 straight, definitely have their sights set on running the table in league play, according to Hopkins.
“They really want it,” Hopkins said. “It”s a great group of kids.”
While Clear Lake”s offense has been putting plenty of points on the board the last month, Hopkins said the play of the Cardinal defense has been even better.
“I actually think the defense has been playing better than the offense,” Hopkins said.
Fast starts also have been beneficial. Clear Lake had a 33-15 halftime lead against the Saints before putting the game away with a 21-4 third quarter.
“We have been starting strong and that allows us to keep on rolling,” Hopkins said.
Damian Lopez added 12 points and Charlie Marquez had seven for the Cardinals. Mansell won the team”s Big Hat Award after being named played of the game.
“It”s a sombrero and each winner has to put something on it,” Hopkins said. “It”s pretty ugly now.”
Middletown 60, Kelseyville 30
At Middletown, the Middletown Mustangs continue to trail undefeated Clear Lake by a game in the NCL I standings after taking care of business against the Kelseyville Knights.
Middletown, now 11-1 in the league standings, hosts Cloverdale tonight before closing out the season Thursday in Lakeport. If Clear Lake and Middletown both win tonight, the Mustangs would need to beat the Cardinals on Thursday to gain a share of the league title.
Anthony Guzman scored 15 points to lead the Knights while Cody Chorjel added 14 and Brandon Rannells 10.
“Chorjel has been playing real strong the last couple of games,” Middletown coach Jon Hoogendoorn said. “But it was a group effort.”
With their final game against Clear Lake looming, Hoogendoorn said the Mustangs have let their focus wander at times against some of the other teams in the league.
“We”ve been looking forward to that (final game against Clear Lake) since the last time we played them,” Hoogendoorn said.
The last meeting, played on Jan. 24 at Middletown, went to Clear Lake by a 45-42 final.
