Strong second half pushes Tigers past Clinton Massie
Lead Summary
By
Rory Ryan-hcpress@cinci.rr.com
GREENFIELD - After battling to a low-scoring, 19-19 tie in the first half Friday night, the McClain Tigers stepped up the defensive pressure in the second half.
The result proved to be just what Coach Brent Eaton ordered, as McClain earned a 58-38 victory.
The Tigers stormed out of the locker room with a 15-3 burst to pull ahead, 34-22, in the decisive third period. L.T. Walters and Caleb Gregory scored back-to-back baskets in the final seconds of the quarter to push McClain to a 42-27 advantage after three periods.
Both teams struggled offensively throughout the first half and both teams committed an number of early turnovers. Lucas Polley (8) and Zach Matracia (5) scored 13 of the Tigers' first-half points. Meanwhile, Nick Stivers (8) and Travis Amburgey (7) set the pace for the Falcons.
After stone-cold shooting from the floor in the first two periods, the Tigers received long 3-pointers from seniors Logan Wise and Nik Beatty in the third frame. Wise's trey made it a 24-19 game. Minutes later, a 3-ball from Beatty gave McClain a 33-22 lead.
By the time the third quarter ended, the Tigers had posted a 23-8 run, due in no small part to a more aggressive defense.
In the fourth quarter, McClain moved in front by 22 points, 56-34, on two consecutive field goals by Polley. The Falcons stopped the clock with a timeout, but McClain (2-1) had taken control of the South Central Ohio League contest en route to a 20-point win.
Polley led all scorers with 18 points. Senior Kamron Mace finished with 10 points, Matracia scored eight, Beatty had seven points, Walters and Gregory each put in six points and Wise added three points.
Amburgey led Clinton Massie with 13 points.
McClain travels to Madison Plains on Tuesday.
The freshman game was won by Clinton-Massie, 29-24, and McClain won the reserve game, 29-19.
Score by quarters
CMHS - 06 13 08 11 - 38
MHS - 08 11 23 16 - 58
Individual Stats
MHS (58)
Mace 5 0 10, Wise 1 0 3, Polley 6 6 18, Gregory 3 0 6, Walters 3 0 6, Beatty 2 2 7, Matracia 3 2 8. TOTALS: 23 10-17 58.
CMHS (38)
Lamb 3 0 5, Amburgey 5 3 13, Wackertt 1 3 3, Stivers 5 2 13, Albright 1 0 2, Straight 0 2 2. TOTALS: 14 8-9 38.
[[In-content Ad]]Individual Stats
MHS (58)
Mace 5 0 10, Wise 1 0 3, Polley 6 6 18, Gregory 3 0 6, Walters 3 0 6, Beatty 2 2 7, Matracia 3 2 8. TOTALS: 23 10-17 58.
CMHS (38)
Lamb 3 0 5, Amburgey 5 3 13, Wackertt 1 3 3, Stivers 5 2 13, Albright 1 0 2, Straight 0 2 2. TOTALS: 14 8-9 38.