It’s ‘stretch time’ for Clinton hoops
Dragons struggle now, but the postseason awaits
Clinton High School’s boys basketball team saw its struggles continue Friday night.
The Dragons dropped their District 4-AAA regular-season finale as they fell to Scott, 48-47, at the Don W. Lockard Gymnasium.
Despite seeing his team lose its seventh- consecutive game, Coach Chris Lockard saw some positives after the game against the Highlanders.
“I think we’ve turned the corner when it comes to preparing and being prepared,” Lockard said. “Now, the next step is learning how to win, and honestly, that’s where we’re at right now.
“If you look at our last three district games, the Anderson County game, the Halls game and the Scott County game, we had chances to win all three of those games. You’ve got to find a way to win a ballgame. We’ve talked about culture and we’ve talked about work ethic.”
The Dragons (7-17 overall, 2-4 in the district) were winless during the second half of the district campaign, but salvaged a split with the Mavericks and the Highlanders this year.
In Friday night’s contest, Jeremiah Lee and Lebron Booker scored 12 points each, while Teegan Bolinger added eight points and Frederick Dorsey added six.
Throughout the second half of the campaign, the Dragons have been competitive in every game but one, an 83-42 loss at Hardin Valley Academy on Monday, Jan. 23.
“The Hardin Valley game really got away from us and I think I scared the kids,” Lockard said.
The veteran coach left the sideline in the second quarter against the Hawks due to illness.
Moving forward, the Dragons’ schedule won’t get much easier.
On Tuesday, they traveled to North Knoxville to take on Fulton. Results weren’t available at press time, but the Falcons are one of the state’s top Class AAA teams.
Clinton hosts Oak Ridge Thursday and the Wildcats entered the week with a gaudy 18-3 record.
Clinton will entertain Karns Monday and the Beavers, Wildcats and West High Rebels have emerged as the top teams in District 3-4A.
Lady Dragons edge Scott:
Clinton (12-11 overall, 4-2 in the district) defeated the Lady Highlanders 47-43 at home Friday.
The Lady Dragons completed a sweep of Scott as they defeated the Lady Highlanders 46-43 in Huntsville in December.
