MIDDLETOWN >> Sometimes you just have to be yourself. In the case of the Middletown Mustangs on Thurdsay night, it was much better to be Von Self.
The senior guard had the game of his life, scoring a season-high 26 points with six 3-pointers as the Mustangs ended Clear Lake High School’s four-game winning streak with a 56-40 victory in a North Central League I varsity boys’ basketball contest in Middletown.
“He just went off,” Clear Lake coach Scott De Leon said. “He had a great game. I don’t think he missed a shot in the first half.”
Self scored 16 of his 26 points in the first quarters as Middletown (6-6 league, 14-8 overall) opened up a 34-18 halftime lead. Clear Lake (5-7, 10-13) closed to eight points after three quarters and got as close as six early in the final period before the Mustangs pushed their lead back into double digits.
“They come at you for four quarters,” De Leon said of the Mustangs, who snapped a two-game league losing streak. “They’re scrappy and outhustled us.”
Clear Lake had won four in a row and five of six prior to Thursday night.
“We just could not get the ball to go in the basket,” De Leon said. “We had four or five possession in the fourth quarter when we had good looks and the ball rattled in and out.”
Jared Strate led the Cardinals with 18 points while Stevie Diaz had 11.
Cody Chorjel joined teammate Self in double figures with 14 points.
Middletown also won the junior varsity game as Ricardo Chaires scored 15 points in a 56-48 victory over Clear Lake. Beckett Hoage added 12 points, hitting eight of 10 free throws down the stretch to seal the victory. Josh Wilson added seven points.
Ryan Damiata led Clear Lake with 17 points and 24 rebounds.
