Dragons begin ‘fun’ ride with a Panther split
The 2022-23 season is going to be a venture into the unknown for the Clinton High School boys basketball team.
Just two games into the campaign, it’s already been a rollercoaster ride.
But longtime Coach Chris Lockard was all smiles after his young Dragons defeated geographic and one-time District 3-AAA rival Powell Saturday afternoon at CHS’s Don W. Lockard Gymnasium.
Clinton (1-1) was in control throughout the game on its way to a 61-42 victory over the Panthers.
The Dragons opened an early 14-8 lead before extending their advantage to 35-14 by halftime.
CHS, which reached the Class AAA State Tournament last season, lost its top eight players from last season’s squad and had no returners with varsity experience.
But Lockard remains upbeat despite having an inexperienced team.
“This is fun for me right now,” Lockard said.
“There are going to be times where we look great, and there are going to be times when we look like we don’t know what we’re doing.
“It’s trial and error.”
Things obviously worked out for the Dragons Saturday as they had four players post double figures in the scoring column.
Jeremiah Lee posted a double-double as he scored 18 points and pulled down 10 rebounds.
He also dished out six assists, two steals and one block.
Bryson Maddox added 14 points and six rebounds. Kaden Ison finished with 11 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals.
LeBron Booker chipped in with 10 points and six rebounds.
Brent Reynolds had eight points and seven rebounds.
The Dragons opened the new season Thursday night in Lenoir City.
They lost to Loudon County’s Panthers 70-41 despite Lee scoring 16 points and Maddox adding 12.