Tigers fall in SCOL showdown with Blue Lions

     WASHINGTON C.H. - In what was a physical game for both teams, the Washington offensive attack was just too much for the McClain Tigers Saturday night as they dropped their third South Central Ohio League contest of the season, falling to the rival Blue Lions 59-52 at the new Washington Senior High School gym.

     The Blue Lions led by four points after the first quarter as Washington gained 10 points in the first frame for the 10-6 lead. Then the Blue Lions went into another gear as they pounded out a 17-point quarter, while holding the Tigers to eight points in the second for a halftime lead of 27-14.

     The second half offensively was the same for Washington as they had a 15-point third quarter and scored 17 in the final frame. The Tigers netted 16 points in the third and won the fourth quarter by gaining 22 points in the league loss.

     McClain senior forward L.T. Walters led all scorers with a game-high 17 points. Walters made one 3-pointer and two free throws. Senior teammate Kameron Mace made seven free throws and two two-point buckets for 11 points. MHS junior Zach Matracia gained five field goals and one free throw for 11 points. Matracia also took three charges.

     MHS senior Lucas Polley, who grabbed a team-high four rebounds, netted six points and fellow senior Caleb Gregory gained seven points, including two 3-pointers.

     For Washington, Kyle Slone scored 15 points for a team-high. Matt Stringfield sank two 3-pointers to finish the SCOL contest with 13 points.

     Connor Johnson finished with nine points, making one 3-ball. Jullian Wyatt gained eight points for WSHS, and Logan Rankin and Casey Shaw each scored seven points. Shaw made one 3-pointer.

     MHS shot 18 of 52 from the field for 35 percent, while the Blue Lions were 21 of 44 for 48 percent. MHS was out rebounded 25-15. The Tigers forced 10 turnovers, but committed eight.

     The Tigers were 13 of 19 from the free-throw line, while Washington was 13 of 22.

     MHS falls to 6-5 overall, 3-3 in the SCOL. The Blue Lions jump to 10-1 overall, 6-0 in league action.

     McClain will play again Friday at Clinton-Massie and Saturday they will host rival Hillsboro.

BOX SCORE

SCORE BY QUARTERS

MHS – 6 8 16 22 – 52

WSHS – 10 17 15 17 – 59

INDIVIDUAL STATS

WSHS (59)

Stringfield 4 3 13, Wyatt 3 2 8, Shaw 3 0 7, Slone 4 7 15, Rankin 3 1 7, Johnson 4 0 9. TOTALS: 21 13 59.

MHS (52)

Mace 2 7 11, Polley 2 2 6, Gregory 2 1 7, Walters 7 2 17, Matracia 5 1 11. TOTALS: 18 13 52.