Mertle, Cardinals win big

Clear Lake teams dominate Coyotes

LAnE COUNTY >> Clear Lake High School’s big man, Jaron Mertle, took control in the third quarter as did the Cardinals in a 5734 non-league victory over the Sonoma Academy Coyotes nearly a year ago today in non-league varsity boys basketball action at Santa Rosa.

Until the COVID-19- delayed 2020-21 sports season starts, the Lake County Record-Bee will take a look back at the local sports happenings of a year ago and the teams and athletes who were making the headlines.

Varsity boys basketball

With Mertle dominating the Coyotes down low, the Cardinals extended a 23-20 halftime lead with a big 16-3 third quarter. Clear Lake’s senior center finished with a double- double of 18 points and 16 rebounds and also had three blocks and two steals.

The victory pushed the Cardinals to 5-0 on the season, part of their 7- 0 start during the 2019-20 campaign.

Keanu Ford and Darius Ford finished with eight points apiece while Travis Howe added six. Darius Ford led the team with six assists.

JV boys basketball

Clear Lake’s JV boys also remained undefeated, beating Sonoma Academy 65-21 behind 24 points from Ethan Maize.

Clear Lake, ahead 59-21 after three quarters, improved to 6- 0.

Varsity girls basketball

Clear Lake’s varsity girls basketball team ended a three- game skid with a 50- 35 road victory over Sonoma Academy, a victory that evened the Cardinals’ record at 3-3.

Rylee Mix powered the Clear Lake offense with 17 points, including four 3-pointers.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF TRETT BISHOP Clear Lake’s Treppa Marcks muscles up a shot from underneath the basket.

Clear Lake’s Rylee Mix lays in two points against Sonoma Academy.