The Clear Lake girls basketball team made a run to close a 16-point gap to just four, but the Lions could not get over the hump in their final game before the holiday break. They dropped a 70-60 decision to Iowa Falls-Alden Dec. 21.
“We have a great group of players who never give up, as was demonstrated during the fourth quarter,” said Coach Kay Bacon.
She saw her team claw its way back from a 62-46 deficit at the six minute mark in the final period to pull within four, 62-58 with two minutes to play. The Lions were poised to take the lead, but the Cadets connected on a three point shot to widen the margin to seven and hold off the Lions for the win.
Coach Bacon listed several positives she and her players could build upon during the holiday break.
“Our rebounding continues to improve and tonight we managed one more rebound than the Cadets (30-29). The girls have worked hard on rebounding and their efforts are showing,” she said.
Senior leadership as also evident in the game.
“Breanne Mumm played well on defense and added six assists for the evening,” said the coach. “Torrie Hansen and Allison Schaefer scored well for the Lions. Torrie did a nice job in the post position and Allison earned her points on both the inside and outside by adding a three-pointer to her total.”
Hansen and Schaefer finished with 21 and 20 points respectively. Hansen led the team in rebounds with six. She also had two steals in the game. Schaefer had three rebounds and a steal.
Macey Hansen finished with eight points, four rebounds ad a steal, and Victoria Nicholas had a balanced game, scoring six points, grabbing five rebounds and making two assists.

Listen up
Ventura Head Coach Lucas Kruescher gives his team some direction in a tough game against Clay Central-Everly on Thursday, Dec. 20.  Pictured standing (L-R) is Hannah Vavrik, Kaley Imhoff, Janice Waldron, Alicia Christians, Morgan Welp and Blair Berhow-Goll.  Sitting (L-R) is Amber Smith, Chelsea Mathews, Brittany Boehnke and Allie Schuler.  The Lady Vikes were not able to hold off the Mavericks as they fell, 66-48.  -Reporter photo

The Ventura Lady Vikes had a tough road trip on Thursday, Dec. 20, when they traveled to Everly to take on Clay Central-Everly. The 9-0 Mavericks won the contest, 66-48.
“Clay Central-Everly is a very good team,” said Coach Lucas Kreuscher. “They are really tough to defend, because everyone can shoot or dribble.”
Junior Kaley Imhoff led the team offensively with a season high 18 points. Megan Schuler and Brittany Boehnke contributed eight and seven points respectively. Rounding out the scoring was Chelsea Mathews with five points, Allie Schuler had four points, Alicia Christians contributed three points and Hannah Vavrick added one point.
“Again tonight we struggled with keeping CCE off the offensive boards. We feel that we have been making progress throughout the season; it will be nice to have the holiday break so we can continue to improve some things,” said Kreuscher.
The team travels to Sheffield on Thursday, Jan. 3, to play SCMT in a non-conference match-up. The Lady Vikes are 1-5 overall and 1-3 in the Cornbelt Conference.

No stopping him
Ventura’s Tyler Betz is on his way to scoring 29 points in Ventura’s victory over Clay Central-Everly on Thursday, Dec. 29.  -Reporter photo

It was a huge win for the Ventura boys basketball team
when they traveled to Clay Central-Everly on Thursday, Dec. 20, for an east versus west showdown in the Cornbelt Conference. CCE was undefeated in the West division, while Ventura led the East division.
“We went on the road and showed that we can beat a talented team,” said Ventura Coach Nick Schauf, whose team won 76-58. “We handled their run and jump style press and were able to get to the free throw line.”
The Vikings jumped to an early 15-9 lead in the first quarter. The nets were on fire on both sides of the floor in a high scoring second quarter. The Mavericks picked up 22 points to Ventura’s 20, for a 35-31 halftime score. The Vikings kept up the momentum in the third quarter, sinking 25 points to CCE’s 14. The fourth quarter was more of the same for the final Ventura victory.
Junior Tyler Betz was on fire for the Vikings, collecting a season high 29 points. Cody Kadolph also had a good night with 19 points. The rest of the scoring was more balanced. Josh Henely picked up nine points, Tyler Peterson and Brian Mostrom each had six points and Aaron Christians had five.
The Ventura defense did a good job containing CCE’s shooters. The Mavericks have averaged about 60 points a game and the Vikings held them below their average.
“Our dedication in the weight room really paid off, because we were very strong inside,” said Schauf.
Betz also led the group in rebounds with 11 and he grabbed two steals. Kadolph had seven rebounds, three blocked shots and five assists. Peterson had six rebounds and five assists.

    The Clear Lake boys basketball team were handed a 55-50 overtime loss by Iowa Falls-Alden Friday, Dec. 21.  The defeat dropped the Lions’ record to 4-3 overall and 4-3 in the North Central Conference.
    The Lions dug themselves a hole early, falling behind 19-11 at the end of the first quarter.  After the slow start, the two teams played a more even game, but turnovers and missed free throws plaques the Lions’ effort.
    “We got down early, but we were able to come back and play them even for three quarters,”  said Coach Kevin Kahler.
    In fact the Lions pulled within one, 28-27, by the halftime break.  The team were knotted at 37-37 at the end of three quarters and each scored just 10 points in the fourth period.
    Lion turnovers gave the Cadets extra opportunities to score in the overtime period.  Those, combined with cold shooting from the charity stripe, gave the visitors the edge.  The Lions finished the night shooting just 16/26 from the free throw line.
     “If we could have gotten a few more of them to fall, things might have been different,” said Coach Kahler.  “It’s tough because it’s a game we probably could have had.  Holding them to 55 is a pretty good defensive effort.  We just had too many breakdowns offensively.”
    The Lions demonstrated even scoring in the game, with Jared Sholly, Sean McChesney and Justin Uhlenhopp each putting in 12 points.  Sholly and McChesney also had four rebounds apiece, and McChesney recorded three blocks.   Sholly and Uhlenhopp each handed out four assists.
    Zach Monson had a double-double night, scoring 10 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.  Charlie Peterson rounded out the offensive effort with four points and three assists.  He also had three rebounds.
    The Lions will be looking to get back in the win column when they return to action in a non-conference matchup Saturday, Jan. 5, at Forest City.

    The third ranked Clear Lake wrestling team moved to 9-0  on the year  with two big North Central Conference wins Thursday, Dec. 20.  The Lions are 4-0 in the NCC heading into the holiday break.
    “Hampton gave us a real test.   Their coaching staff did a nice job of moving their line-up around to give them a chance to win,” said Clear Lake Coach Gary Weber.  “We have a nice rivalry with Hampton. Our wrestlers, crowd and coaching staff handled themselves very well in a semi-hostile environment and I am proud of everybody for that.”

Clear Lake 53, Eagle Grove 20
    The first meet of the night was against Eagle Grove and the Lions came out on top, 53-20.
    The meet started at 145 pounds and Rudy Wieck gave the Lions a 6-0 lead with his patented headlock, recording another pin.  Ryan Wilcke battled hard but lost 12-5. Spencer Rollefson pinned his man in 3:17, while Levi Kellog lost 9-1 at 171.
    “Levi did not win, but he has done an awesome job and has not been pinned this year.  That shows a lot of mental toughness,” said Coach Weber.
    Jace Snyder lost by fall at 189, while Patrick Kolker won by fall at 215.  Zach Lindquist won 15-0 and recorded a technical fall at heavyweight.
    State ranked freshman Jacob Colon won by pin at 103 and his brother,  Joe Colon, received a forfeit at 112. Tucker Weber drew the Eagles’ best wrestler at 119 and lost, 2-0.  
    Joe Bieber and Jake Kopriva both won by pin at 125 and 130.  Ray Teasdale lost to state qualifier David Lindstrom at 135, and Christian Trebil finished off the meet with a pin in 1:50 at 140 pounds to give Clear Lake the big win.

Clear Lake 43,
Hampton-Dumont 32

One-way traffic considered from 4th Avenue S. to12th Avenue S.
The one way concept which will be considered by the City Council for South Shore Drive extends from 12th Avenue South to 4th Avenue South, with designated bike lanes and parking the entire length, except no on-street parking between 4th Avenue South and  5th Avenue South.  Parking will remain from 4th Avenue South to Main Avenue with  two-way traffic and a “share the road” concept for bikes.

The Clear Lake City Council will consider a reconstruction plan for South Shore Drive which would change the street’s traffic flow to one-way travel from 4th Avenue South to 12th Avenue South.
A steering committee which has studied the $1.85 million project area since September is expected to recommend the one-way concept to the Council at its regular meeting Monday, Jan. 7. WHKS, the engineering firm designing the project, will also present a more typical street reconstruction plan for review.
City Administrator Scott Flory said that although the one-way concept represents a significant change, the idea has several merits which the committee likes. Most notably, the plan would provide the needed space to bike lanes on both sides of the road, while still making it possible to have on-street parking. The plan also preserves the most mature trees and aesthetics along the well-traveled route.
The concept which maintains two-way travel on the stretch provides for bike lanes, but on-street parking would be lost.
By including bike lanes along the road, the city was able to secure $520,000 in federal funds for the project.

    Clear Lake, like the nation, had its share of success, challenges, sadness and celebration in 2007.  Here’s a look back at the top local stories from the just-completed year.
    
Investing in the lake
    In January 2007, the Association for the Preservation of Clear Lake has stepped forward to help the Iowa Department of Natural Resources purchase land which will be used to deposit material dredged from the lake’s west end.  A 208-acre site located southwest of the lake in Clear Lake Township, was purchased in conjunction with the dredging plan. The group, which has been associated with lake  preservation since the 1930s, purchased the property from Frank and Dorothy Clark, of Clear Lake, for $1,322,730.  The Association then agreed to sell the property to the DNR for $656,000 because by law the DNR cannot pay more than assessed property value.
    Association President Randy Cram said that when the group was actively lobbying the state legislature for lake restoration funding in 2006, it pledged to contribute $1 million to the cause.  
    Dredging of Clear Lake will only be occurring in the west end or “Little Lake” portion of the lake.  This portion of the lake will be deepened to its original depths, which has been determined by soil borings.  The shoreline areas will be left undisturbed and dredging depths will gradually increase towards the center portion of the “Little Lake” until a maximum water depth of greater than 20-feet is obtained.  The total amount of material to be removed is anticipated to be 2.3 million cubic yards.  Because the material removed from the lake is 80-90 percent water, there is a need to return the water back to the lake after the sediment settles out in the containment area.
    A containment site was readied in 2007. Actual dredging will take place over two years, 2008-2009.  

Rave reviews

The who, what, where and when
for Thursday’s Iowa Caucuses
    After all the hype and all the wait, it’s finally almost here.  The much-anticipated and much-awaited Iowa Caucuses will take place Thursday evening, Jan. 3.
    But what exactly is a caucus?  Who can go?  Where is it at?  And what do you do there?
    If you don’t know the answers to these questions, you’re not alone.
    But, you’re in luck.  Here’s a primer for all those thinking of participating in the first in the nation Iowa Caucuses.  Information here was provided by the Iowa Caucus 2008 Project.

What is a caucus?
    The word caucus is a North American Indian word, thought to be of Algonquin origin, meaning a gathering of the ruling tribal chiefs. The modern definition describes caucuses as a process of political party members gathering to make policy decisions and to select candidates.

When are the caucuses?
    The caucuses are held in Iowa every two years. The caucuses held in the off-presidential years are usually smaller and focus on the party platform. The caucuses that coincide with presidential elections are better attended and receive more media attention.

Who participates in the caucuses?
    Any voter who is a registered Republican or Democrat, and can prove residency in Iowa, can participate in the caucus of their party. 

How do caucuses work?

Teaching job in Alaska leads to many adventures
Editor’s Note: Laura Brager, a Clear Lake native and 2002 graduate of Ventura High School, has taken adventure to a whole new level. Brager moved to Grayling, Alaska in August to teach kindergarten through second grade in the small native Alaskan village. Brager was back in Clear Lake over Christmas break and took the time to write about her life in the north. If you enjoy her story, she has a website that she updates frequently to keep her family and friends informed at www.teachalaska.blogspot.com [11]

By Laura Brager
After I graduated this past spring from the University of Northern Iowa, I knew I wanted to do something unique. I also knew that somehow this job was going to come to me. Teaching jobs are hard to find so I wasn’t sure how this was going to happen. I had put my resume on a random website and got an email one day asking if I was adventurous and if I had ever thought about moving to Alaska. As soon as I got the email, I told my family that if they offered me the job I was going to go. I emailed them back on a Monday and by Friday I had accepted the job. I was moving to the middle of the Alaskan bush.

Life in Grayling