Finding their footing
Dragons scuffling after long layoff
Clinton’s Trace Thackerson jumps for a rebound against Campbell County. (photo:Collin Riggs )
They more than made up for it in their next game against Campbell County, though.
It was a rough first half for the Dragons on Saturday, Jan. 9, when they traveled to face the Cougars, but they pulled ahead in the end to win 64-51.
It was a tense first quarter with both schools taking the lead from one another and Campbell County coming out strong with multiple quick trips down the court for layups before Clinton managed to take the lead right at the end to start the second quarter 14-13. They lost that lead almost immediately after the start of the second and played catch-up the rest of the first half. Campbell County hit a cold spot when they were up 20-16, allowing the Dragons breathing room to catch up and take the lead again right before the end of the first half.
The second half looked more like the Dragons we all know and love, with the team taking a quick lead and increasing it throughout the second half as Campbell County struggled to keep up. Clinton’s lead continued increasing until the end, finishing 64-51 to beat the Cougars.
“We’re not playing very well right now,” said head coach Chris Lockard. “I know this is a hard year with the layoffs and everything, but the bottom line is you have to be ready to play and put forth a little extra effort to overcome the days off. I feel like our boys are giving us effort, but sometimes I think it’s in the wrong areas. I just don’t feel like we’re playing very good defensively.
“Offensively, we’re struggling a little bit too. We’re not moving and flowing the way we were before the break. At Campbell County, you saw some sparks out of our offense and defense and it was enough to help us win the ball game. We were much better from the free throw line this time. We’re in a little limbo right now trying to redefine ourselves like we did at the beginning of the season.”
Clinton’s treys carried them through the game, finishing with nine treys to CC’s three. Campbell County finished ahead on two field goals with 16 to Clinton’s 11. Adding to Clinton’s edge in treys, they finished with a free-throw percentage of 79-percent, gaining 15 points through fouls. Almost half of both the free throws and treys came from Jackson Garner, who finished the day as the Dragons’ top scorer with 18 points, including four treys and six for six on free throws. Garner also finished with six rebounds, two steals, two blocks, and two assists.
Behind Garner, Trace Thackerson scored 16 points, scoring five 2FG and two treys. Thackerson finished with six rebounds as well as three assists and four steals. Other stats of note for the night included Lane Harrison’s three steals, Rishon Bright’s two assists (tied with Garner for the second most of any one player), and Tyler Morgan’s three deflections.
The Dragons took control of the court late in the game with 13 total steals and three blocks to CC’s zero, forcing 21 total turnovers that gave them a total of 14 points.
Lockard said that it’s been tough keeping the boys inspired, and he feels the team has regressed backward after so much time off.
“We regressed a little bit and it’s tough without some senior leadership. They have to find it within and have some internal motivation. They have to have confidence in what they’ve already accomplished. Coaching-wise, there’s things you can control, and things you can’t. Just like everyone else has had layoffs and quarantine and missed a month of practice and games, and you can either make an excuse for it or make a solution for it. We’re searching for that solution right now.
“Overall we were still able to push forward in the fourth quarter. We saw some sparks from Thackerson that we’ve been waiting for. Jeremiah is still showing signs of being a huge part of our success. Garner started late but was still able toscore 18. We’re still searching for consistency.”
I hate to keep saying it, but with a young team and no seniors, it’s tough to be consistent. It’s tough to find that internal leader, and, as a coach, it’s hard to coach and constructively criticize and motivate, while also being a positive leader at all times. They need that to come from within. Good thing is, we’re having this discussion after a win, rather than a loss.”
Lockard said he thinks the team will be fine, and with two home games coming up this week, he thinks that will definitely help the team.
“We’ll find it, and we’ll fix it. We’re not there yet, though. I’m hoping we can find that switch to get us back. With Central coming back to our place and Halls coming back, they’re two home games, and that will help. We have to find the Dragons we had before the break. I think if we do that, we’ll be fine, but if not, we’ll have a rough time.”