Lane Torches Conference Foes on Back-to-Back Nights

Taylor Smith, Sports Editor

After a pair of North Central Conference hoops victories last week, the Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Cowboys sit at 11-5 overall and 6-5 in conference play. 

It all began with a difficult Tuesday evening road loss to (3A) #9 Clear Lake (11-1 overall, 8-0 conference).   

Chaz Lane had 13 points and seven rebounds in the contest vs. last year’s 3A state runner-up squad.

The Cowboys would lose, 69-27, to the conference frontrunners.

Fortunately, the boys were able to regroup and overcome Hampton-Dumont-CAL (5-10, 3-6) a few days later.

Coach Berning’s Cowboys knocked off the visiting Bulldogs, 63-51. 

Everything seemed to be clicking for the team in the 1st quarter.  Tristan Kakacek sank a corner three, and a steal from JD Morrical led to a fastbreak layup on the other end.

Chaz Lane was automatic against HDC, and he even cashed in on a rare three-pointer.  The 6’4” forward had 14 of CGD’s 24 1st quarter points.

In the 2nd quarter, Kakacek continued to provide valuable offense for CGD.  Tristan finished the night with 10 points, five steals, and three dimes.

The Cowboys led 37-23 at the half, but the energized Bulldogs would find a way to cut that lead to single digits midway through the 3rd. 

The comeback attempt was short-lived, however, and a late floater from Lane proved to be the dagger.  He would later seal the deal for CGD at the charity stripe.   

Lane had a season-high 33 points on 62% shooting and also chipped in 10 boards and two blocks. 

Morrical finished with 11 points, six assists, six steals, and five rebounds.

The team would make it two in a row and close out their week with a blowout road win in Iowa Falls on Friday. 

The Cadets (2-14, 1-9) led by six after a quarter.  However, they would fall to CGD, 70-42.

Lane shot 11-for-18 from the field and had another masterful performance with 26 points, 11 rebounds, and two steals.

Jacob Ruba scored 13 and snagged five steals, and Huxley Lingenfelter dropped in 12 in the win.

Thursday night, the Cowboys will face West Fork (6-9 overall) in a non-conference away game.