MIDDLETOWN — Outside of winning the game, Middletown High School junior varsity boys” basketball coach Jon Hoogendoorn couldn”t fine many positives in his team”s 56-40 victory over the Cloverdale Eagles on Tuesday night in Middletown.
Playing their final home game of the season, the Mustangs (12-1) didn”t have a great night on offense or defense, according to Hoogendoorn.
“We gave up way more points than we wanted to,” Hoogendoorn said. “It”s just hard for our kids to get up for some of these teams.”
Motivation won”t be a problem for Middletown in its season finale tonight against the undefeated Clear Lake Cardinals (13-0) at Lakeport. Tip-off is 6 p.m.
“At this point of the season if we can”t beat them, we don”t deserve it,” Hoogendoorn said of an opportunity to nab a share of the league title, which is what the Mustangs will accomplish with a victory against Clear Lake.
Middletown is 0-3 against Clear Lake this season, including a 45-42 loss in the first league meeting Jan. 24 at Middletown.
“We know everything they run,” Hoogendoorn said. “Three of the worst games we”ve played this season have been against them, so we know we”re capable of beating them if we play well.
“I just want to go out and play,” Hoogendoorn added.
Anthony Guzman scored 17 points in the win over Cloverdale and rebounded the ball well, according to Hoogendoorn. Brandon Rannells added 11 points and Wyatt Hall had nine.
Middletown led 29-13 at the half.
In other JV action Tuesday:
Clear Lake 82, Kelseyville 53
At Lakeport, the Clear Lake Cardinals prepared for their season-ending showdown with Middletown by hammering Kelseyville behind 22 points from David Mansell, who also led the Cardinals with 16 rebounds.
“He was all over the place,” Clear Lake coach Jeremy Hopkins said of Mansell. “He was getting rebounds, putbacks and getting to the line. He did everything.”
Clear Lake (13-0) clinched a tie for the NCL I title with the win, but the Cardinals aren”t satisfied with that, according to Hopkins.
“We got the tie, but I don”t really want to share,” Hopkins said.
Ootie Lane joined Mansell in double digits for Clear Lake with 11 points. Other top scorers were Damian Lopez and Charlie Marquez with eight points apiece.
Dustin Martin”s 19 points paced Kelseyville and Cesar Medina had 17.
“We missed some wide-open shots and they took advantage,” Kelseyville coach Richard Martin said.
Clear Lake used a 23-11 second quarter to open up a 44-24 halftime lead.
On tonight”s game with Middletown, Hopkins said, “It”s going to depend on whether we can play some good half-court offense. They play good defense and they”re a good team.”
