The Clarion-Goldfield-Dows basketball teams returned to action on Tuesday night, when they hosted the Clear Lake Lions in North Central Conference action. The Clear Lake girls entered with a 10-4 record and ranked #12 in Class 3A, while the Clear Lake boys entered with a 9-3 record.
The girls game was not one-sided early, much like it was up in Clear Lake. CGD only trailed the #12 Lions 14-10 after 1, but the Lions defense would stiffen, as they held a 28-14 halftime lead. Jaden Ainley led the 2nd half charge, as the junior’s 24 points was the catalyst as the Lions pulled away from the Cowgirls to score a 58-29 win. Sawyer Morrical led Clarion-Goldfield-Dows with 10 points on the night.
The boys game followed and the intensity at CGD High School kicked up a couple of notches with it. In a game ruled by defense neither side saw a lead the reached double-digits on the night, but the Cowboys went into halftime with a 26-19 lead. The Lions would roar back in the 3rd, claiming a 28-26 lead after a 9-0 run to start the 3rd quarter, before CGD would claw back to lead 32-30 after 3. The 4th quarter saw Clear Lake, time and again, grab the lead, only for the Cowboys to scrap and claw their way back.
Perhaps the decisive blow came with under a minute to go, when senior forward Jacob Moore knocked down a 3, while drawing a foul to put the Cowboys up 4. A Carson Toebe three brought it to within one, before CGD would bring it back to 2, while continuing to struggle at the free throw line. After an Aiden Harrington 0-2 trip, Toebe grabbed a rebound, slipped and fell, which resulted in a turnover and a Jaxon Carpenter layup with 7 seconds to go. Toebe was then ejected following a full court heave that went out of bounds with .8 to go, and Coady Olson’s 2 free throws sealed a 46-40 win. Jaxon Carpenter led the Cowboys with 15 points.
Clarion-Goldfield-Dows returns to action on Friday, when they travel to Iowa Falls-Alden.