Clear Falls Continues to Make History

Reviews with Rob | Clear Falls vs Seven Lakes

We’ve finally arrived at what is almost the end of the road. 6A Region III Final Four, game one pitted the 27-7 Clear Falls Knights against the 34-4 Seven Lakes Spartans. From the beginning, you could tell that this was going to be an exciting, up-and-down, fast-paced game. Both teams looked to run at every turn. Unsigned senior G Orlando Horton, Jr was spectacular. He put on a ball-handling and shooting display for the ages. He played way bigger than his listed size. Tulane football signee W Joshua Moore was an unsung hero in this game. He made multiple hustle plays, along with scoring baskets when needed. Seven Lakes would stay afloat in the first half, led by their leader ℅ 2024 G AJ Bates. I absolutely love to watch this kid play basketball. His craftiness and defensive prowess are always very impressive. He finished the first half with 15 points. Coach Heston and the Spartans needed every bit of it to go into the half down one 36-35.

In the second half, Coach Shelton’s Knights came out with a very high sense of urgency. Baylor football signee W Corey Kelly’s defense on Incarnate Word signee P Josh Akpovwa was stifling. Akpovwa had been on a roll in the playoffs but the Knights' concerted effort to build a wall around him was a great game plan. Unsigned senior G Prince Hegwood also played great defense on multiple Seven Lakes perimeter players. ℅ 2024 W Brett Norton gave a valiant effort to help Bates with the scoring load. He did all of the little things that help teams normally win these types of games. But on this night, Clear Falls just had it rolling. Unsigned senior P Javon Murray even chipped in and hit a three and Orlando couldn’t be stopped down the stretch, whether it was making the right pass or finishing with a high degree of difficulty layup. It was just his night. When all was said and done, Clear Falls would advance for a chance to play in the state championship with an 83-70 victory over Seven Lakes.

Seven Lakes was led by: AJ Bates with 24 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals; Josh Akpovwa with 15 points and 4 rebounds; Brett Norton with 10 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals

Clear Falls was led by: Orlando Horton, Jr with 28 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds, and 4 steals; Joshua Moore with 18 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists; Corey Kelly with 13 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks

Article Written by: Robert Carroll

[Ball So Hard, Lead Scout]

March 3rd, 2023