Game of the Week: Clear Brook vs. Pearland
By L. Scott Hainline
Chronicle correspondent
Former district co-members square off as Clear Brook and Pearland keep a longtime rivalry burning.
Clear Brook swept Pearland two years ago when both resided in 24-5A, but the Oilers turned the tables with a 70-60 non-district victory last season.
ABOUT THE GAME
Matchup: Pearland at Clear Brook
When: 7 p.m., Dec. 1
Where: Clear Brook High School
What's at stake: Building non-district momentum and Clear Brook trying to avenge a loss in the teams' most-recent encounter
Clear Brook players to watch: PG Darren Smith, F Jarek Player, G Alex Pettigrew, G Eric Gibson, F Al Russ, P Fred Richardson, G Chris Campbell, P Spencer Bowman
Pearland players to watch: G Shai Fields, G Kevin Williams, P Ian Gray, G Terrell Taylor
TEAM HIGHLIGHTS
Clear Brook: The Wolverines blew out short-handed (because of football playoffs) Angleton 100-51 in a lopsided season opener with Smith scoring 20, senior sub Jeff Blanchett 16 and Player 12. Coach Jason Pillow calls letterman Smith and returning starter Player his team leaders, and continues to look to replace seven seniors and four starters lost to graduation from last season's playoff team that tied Clear Springs for second in 24-5A and lost to Bush 88-62 in the opening round. After hosting Pearland, the Wolverines jump right into the Clear Creek ISD Tournament from Dec. 3-5.
Pearland: The Oilers have been stung by narrow losses, and they expect another tight battle with Clear Brook. After beating Alief Taylor 73-54 behind Williams' 23 and Fields' 21 in the season opener, Pearland was edged 46-45 by Alief Taylor, and dropped another close one to Dickinson 50-47, last week at the Texas Invitational. Fields is averaging 19.3 points and Williams has an 18.5 scoring clip, and when they're on, the Oilers are tough to beat, according to Clear Brook's Pillow, who describes the dynamic duo as NCAA Division I talent. Before Clear Brook, Pearland plays at 1 p.m. Friday at Channelview. The Oilers were third in District 22-5A and fell to North Shore 42-41 in the first round last season.
