Mavs catch CHS bouncing back from loss to Fulton

January 19, 2022 by Richard Evans

The Clinton Dragons rode a bit of a roller coaster last week as they dropped a road game and had a huge rivalry and district win at home.

On Wednesday, the Dragons fell at Fulton by a score of 68-52 to head Coach Jody Wright’s Falcons.

“It was a closer game than the final score indicated,” said Chris Lockard, head coach of the Dragons. “It was a six- or seven-point game when Jackson Garner fouled out.

“They just outplayed us,” he said. “They played well. They shot the ball well and we didn’t. They defended us well, and defensively, we were good at times. We just weren’t real consistent.”

Neither team scored a great deal in the first quarter as they ended the first eight minutes tied at 12-12. The Falcons found separation in the second quarter as they doubled up on the Dragons, out scoring them 22-11 to take a 34-23 halftime lead.

The second half was more of the same as the Dragons managed to keep pace but could not close the scoring gap.

“I don’t know if we were so fatigued from that Murfreesboro trip and we’re missing Jeremiah Blauvelt. The bottom line is they just outplayed us and we didn’t answer the call. They were ready and we weren’t. The credit goes to Fulton,” Lockard said.

Jackson Garner led Clinton with 16 points while Lane Harrison added 14.

CHS 12 11 14 15 52

FHS 12 22 15 19 68

CHS - Jackson Garner (16), Lane Harrison (14), Rishon Bright (8), Hunter Rupert (5), Trace Thackerson (4), Tyler Morgan (3), Dodi Truss (2)

FHS - Desmier Hatchett (19), Marcellus Jackson (13), Denaj Kimber (11), Ra Tyler Lee (7), Jordan Wrancher (6), Dexter Lewis (4), Taj Kimber (4), Jalen Turner (4)

The Dragons rediscovered their fire on Friday as they downed visiting Anderson County 83-40.

The Mavs were without their top scorer Connor Martin and the Dragons wasted little time taking advantage. Clinton had two 10-2 runs in the quarter, scoring frequently from beyond the arc as Garner, Harrison, and Bright knocked down 3-pointers and Harrison had a huge dunk that fired up the home crowd. As explosive as the Dragon’s offense was, the defense was equally impressive as they forced multiple turnovers en route to a 28-11 first quarter lead.

Things weren’t much better for the Mavs in the second quarter as Clinton opened the quarter on a 12-2 run to lead 53-24 at the half.

Scoring slowed somewhat for both teams in the second half as Clinton carried a 73-32 lead into the fourth quarter.



“They came out and made shots. They had 12 or 13 threes at the half. We can’t score with that. They’re a tough team to beat for anybody,” said Derek Wallace, head coach of the Mavericks.

“I think the Fulton game had a lot to do with our start. The guys were disappointed with their performance [against Fulton] and they were much more focused. There was nothing nonchalant about them from start to finish. They went and played the way we try to play night in and night out,” said Lockard.

The Dragons 16 3-pointers in the game and scored 30 points off turnovers.

Garner led all scorers with 22 points while Harrison had 15 and Bright had 13.

Zeke West led Anderson County with 11 points.

The Dragons (16-2, 4-0 in district play) return to action Wednesday at Cocke County. The game was originally scheduled for Monday but was postponed due to weather. On Friday, the Dragons visit district rival Halls and they travel to Hardin Valley Academy on Monday. Tip-off for all three games is 7:30 p.m.

The Mavericks (10-8, 0-4 in district play) return to action Friday when they host district rival Scott. They visit Carter next Tuesday. Tip-off for both games is 7:30 p.m.

AC 11 12 9 8 40

CHS 28 25 20 10 83

AC - Zeke West (11), Bryson Vowell (9), Ryan McGhee (8), Daylen Cole (5), Tate Russell (4), Carter Nelson (2), Trent Strickland (1)

CHS - Jackson Garner (22), Lane Harrison (15), Rishon Bright (13), Trace Thackerson (9), Brent Reynolds (8), Jeremiah Lee (4), Barrett Maddox (4), Hunter Rupert (3), Dodi Truss (3), Tyler Morgan (2)