Clear Lake Falconhoops

This feature is supposed to describe the outcome of the Spring game but I cannot pass up the opportunity to describe what we witnessed again today. It is a beautiful thing to watch as a high school basketball team evolves from a bunch of young athletes of varying skills who just love to play ball to a team which functions as a well-oiled machine, all the parts finely honed, doing their job, working together in synchronization to produce a desired product or effect. What a great thing to witness. The Clear Lake boys varsity team is something to behold. They are not yet as good as they are going to be before the season is over and I would expect we will see continual improvement each week but I am here to tell you, they are truly impressive. Neither of their last two games has tested the depth of their ability but the greatness is showing through anyway. We are now almost at the halfway point in the season. As hoped, the team has continued to mature and transform into a cohesive oneness where individualism gives itself up to unselfish teamwork, coupled with a never-quit attitude and a winning mindset that only comes from the disciplined, hard work of preparation. Another way to say it is the team is REALLY beginning to come together. In every game the pattern consistently emerges. They play very hard and they play together. They know their role and they perform it consistently and with confidence. Time after time, you see the individual give it up for the team. They are a TEAM. Their last home game in the year 2003 was played today against Spring High School. Okay, so Clear Lake obviously had a better team than Spring. But the game was more than just one team dominating another. There was the greatness of a champion displayed by each Clear Lake player more than once in the last two games that stats do not reveal. Great moves to the basket by Micah, or Ross or Connor, or Dan; great timing on their shot blocking by Aaron, or Chris, or Connor or Dan; cutting drives to the basket by Dennis and Nandi and Ross and Armie and Scott; the savvy to go for the lay-up instead of the dunk by the big men; tough, determined, get in there and dig it out rebounding by Micah and Gorden and Chris and Connor and Dan and Aaron. WOW. These two games had it all. Scotty or Dennis “out-quicking” the defender all the way down the court. Brilliant execution by Dennis and Nandi; unselfish play time after time; the beauty of watching Dennis or Dan or Micah or Gorden weave their way to the basket or “out finessing” their opponents; the “stop and pop” pull up jumpers by Scott or Dennis or Ross. Man, I get excited just thinking about how great they can play before the season ends. The Falcons have room for improvement in several areas. All teams do, but Lake is ready to walk into the gym in Fort Worth with their heads held high and proclaim “Bring on what you got, we’re ready”. Oh, yeah, the Spring game. Aaron Greenwood returned from his ankle sprain. 21-4 Lake at the end of the first quarter. Lake dominated every aspect of the game. 36-18 at the half. 63-34 after 3. Final score was 81-54. Good, balanced scoring across the team. Improved determination to get the ball inside at times. Still too many turnovers (28). Connor Atchley led all scorers with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Considering how little playing time he had, he probably would have had 20 or 25 rebounds had he played the entire game! Dan Rieke and Nandi Wijay each had 11 points. They both continued to amaze their competition and the crowd with their quickness at times. Very aggressive, tenacious defense (17 steals). 68% 2 point shooting; 23% 3 point shooting (ouch); 60% on free throws (ouch). On paper, not a stellar performance and the coach may be wringing his hands but I see a team coming together.