The Clarion-Goldfield-Dows boys basketball team prepares for a regular-season finale rematch as they will travel to Southeast Valley for a Class 2A District 2 final on Tuesday. The Jaguars held on for a 62-58 win in their first meeting on February 12.
CGD (15-8) held on for a 57-55 win at Sioux Central on Thursday to advance. The Cowboys controlled the boards against the Rebels with a 32-18 rebounding advantage. Three Cowboys delivered double figure scoring nights in the matchup, Huxley Lingenfelter led the way with a double-double of 15 points and 12 rebounds, Chaz Lane had 14 points and JD Morrical added 12 points. Head Coach Jason Berning reflects on the Cowboys first meeting with the Jaguars.
“We fought really hard. I thought we controlled the game for about three and a half quarters. Their pressure just is kind of relentless. We started off really well, I thought we handled the ball and handled the pressure really well. Over the course of the game, their pressure just kind of kept going and kind of got to us in the fourth quarter. We eventually relented the lead,” says Berning. “Our kids fought hard. We shot the ball really well. Statistically, it was kind of a weird game because we shot it really well, we defended really well, but turnovers and transition points were really the key and the deciding factor for that game.”
Southeast Valley (20-1) has not lost a game since December 2 to defending 1A state champion Madrid (54-53). The Jaguars advanced following a 75-42 win at home over Pocahontas Area on Thursday. The Jaguars were stout defensively forcing 24 turnovers including 12 steals against the Indians. The scoring duo of Ian Brunner and Lincoln Akins with 12 point apiece paced the Jaguars in the win.
Action will begin at 7:00 p.m. in Gowrie. The winner will advance to the Class 2A Substate 1 championship game against either Unity Christian or West Lyon on Saturday, February 28.
