McAuley, Hayes, Smith score in double figures in season-opening loss
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LAKEPORT >> Zane McAuley led the way with 14 points, but the Clear Lake Cardinals fell 76-48 to McKinleyville in their 2025-26 varsity boys basketball season opener Friday night in Lakeport.
Jesse Hayes and Sawyer Smith joined McAuley in double digits with 10 points apiece.
“It was a good test for us our first game,” first-year head coach Shady Cerezo said. “McKinleyville is a good team. We did some good things and there are things we need to work and will do that Monday (in practice), then get after South Fork on Tuesday.”
McKinleyville went 21-9 last season and reached the North Coast Section Division 2 playoffs. Clear Lake is coming off a 12-13 finish in 2024-25.
Added Cerezo, “I’m proud of these guys for playing hard for all four quarters.”
Clear Lake’s junior varsity team lost 62-19.
Clear Lake hits the road Tuesday to play South Fork as part of a four-game set between the two schools. The junior varsity boys tip off at 4 p.m. The varsity boys play at 7 p.m.
