Hawks fly past foes

January 21, 2026 by Ken Lay

The Clinton Middle School boys basketball team had a busy and successful week on the hardwood.

The Hawks opened play in the District Tournament on Saturday with a 45-39 victory over Horace Maynard at Sevier County Junior High School.

Deacon McGhee scored 17 points to lead Clinton to its first postseason win. Levi Braden added nine points.

The Hawks entered the tournament two days after closing out the regular season with a lopsided 48-18 win at LaFollette on Thursday. Clinton raced to a 31-8 lead by the end of the first quarter and never looked back.

McGhee had 12 points against the Owls. Pearson Lollar finished with seven, while Braden and Bryce Slaven chipped in six points each.

Clinton began the week with a 49-38 home win over Webb School of Knoxville on Monday, Jan. 12.

McGhee poured in 19 points against the Spartans. Canyon Long added nine, while Lollar and Victor Barrett scored eight apiece.