LAKEPORT >> The Clear Lake Cardinals picked up an unofficial win to officially open their 2016-17 varsity boys basketball season on Tuesday by beating Rincon Valley Christian 68-57 in a North Coast Section Foundation Game at Clear Lake High School in Lakeport.
Foundation Game proceeds benefit the NCS scholarship program. The game won’t count toward either team’s won-loss record or maximum number of games allowed under section rules. It’s simply a dress rehearsal but one with value as it is played under game conditions with officials.
“The game did everything I hoped it would do,” Clear Lake coach Scott De Leon said. “This was a great opportunity to see what we need to work on and Rincon Valley Christian did a great job of exposing things that need attention.”
Two of those things, according to De Leon, are Clear Lake’s ballhandling and team defense.
“We had 12 turnovers, which is too many,” he said. “And we need to work on our defensive communication, which is a little surprising considering we’ve been working on that in practice.”
Bright spots included the play of the offense. Tanner Hutton led the way with 22 points, including two 3-pointers, Max De Leon and T.J. Marcks each had 13 points, and Ryan Damiata added nine.
Marcks, a 6-foot-3 center and the only sophomore on Clear Lake’s roster this season, made a strong first impression at the varsity level, according to De Leon.
Active around the basket, Marcks grabbed seven rebounds, five of them offensive, and his ability to draw fouls and get to the free-throw line could be a real boon for the Cardinals as the season progress. Once at the line he knew what to do, hitting all seven of his shots.
“He had a real good night around the basket,” De Leon said.
Eight Clear Lake players reached the scoring column in the season tuneup.
The Cardinals are looking to improve on their 15-11 record from last season when they were a .500 proposition in the North Central League I standings at 7-7.
Clear Lake’s official season opener is Dec. 1 against Sonoma High School in the opening round of the Stokes Tournament at Kelseyville High School.
The Cardinals beat the Eagles 66-11 in the junior varsity game behind 25 points and three 3-pointers from Brady McGuire, 11 points from Josh Damiata and 10 more from Rodrigo Lupercio. Clear Lake’s JVs play their first official game in the opening round of their own tournament on Dec. 1 in Lakeport.
