CORBIN —
By Les Dixon
Sports Editor
RUPP ARENA – Clay County’s run came to an end Thursday, as a shooting drought during the second and third quarters led to the Tigers' 68-54 loss to Knott County Central.
Robert Marcum’s squad held a 17-9 lead at the end of the first quarter before seeing the Patriots outscore Clay County, 36-13, during the two-quarter span.
The Tigers also didn’t have an answer for Knott County Central’s Cameron Justice, who scored 13 of his 29 points during the fourth quarter. He finished the game connecting on seven-of-13 shot attempts and 13-of-15 from the free-throw line.
“I’m very proud of this team,” Marcum said. “I give Knott Central credit. They’ve got an outstanding team. The biggest key is that we quit attacking the rim.”
Tyler McDaniel led Clay County with a 21-point effort while Jarrod Rice followed with 12 points in the loss.
Clay County didn’t show any case of the nerves to open the game. The Tigers jumped out to a 5-0 lead before Knott County Central scored its first goal with 5:12 left in the opening quarter. Three-pointers by Kody Reed and Tyler McDaniel gave Clay County a 13-8 lead and McDaniel scored four points to end the quarter that pushed the Tigers’ advantage to 17-9. McDaniel scored nine points during the quarter.
Things went downhill for Marcum’s squad in the second quarter. Clay County misfired on 0-of-seven three-point attempts while Knott Central’s Corey Short hit three three-pointers that highlighted a 20-4 run for the Patriots during the period. Justice scored five points during the eight-minute span, as Knott Central took a 31-23 into the locker room at halftime.
The Tigers connected on eight-of-28 shot attempts during the first half, including a three-of-16 effort from three-point range. The Patriots outrebounded Clay County 24-13 during the first two quarters.
Clay County’s shooting woes continued during the third quarter, which allowed Knott Central to pull away. The Tigers shot only three-of-11 in the period, as the Patriots raced out to a comfortable 45-30 edge going into the fourth quarter. Justice added six points and a three-pointer during the period.
Marcum’s squad tried to rally in the fourth quarter, but couldn’t get any closer than nine points. Justice 13 points during the quarter while knocking down 11-of-11 from the free-throw line.
96TH Annual Boys Sweet Sixteen
at Rupp Arena
First Round
Knott Central 68, Clay County 54
Clay County 17 6 7 24 54
Knott County Central 9 2 14 23 68
Clay County (54) – Lyttle 3, Bowling 3, Reed 10, McDaniel 21, Rice 12, Wolfe 3, Smith 2.
Knott County Central (68) – Christon 12, Cornett 10, Hall 6, Justice 29, Short 11.
Local Sports
Related Photos
-
Clay County's Chip McDaniel lets go of a shot during Thursday's loss to Knott County Central. McDaniel led the Tigers with 21 points in the loss. Photo by Wade Upchurch
Discussion
Clay Ousted
- Local Sports
-
-
Jumpers stun North
Both North Laurel and Somerset struggled at the plate for six innings, but that didn’t mean the two teams weren’t going to provide some fireworks during the game’s final inning of play Thursday.
-
On the move
Mother Nature played a big role during the opening day of the Boys and Girls State Tennis Tournaments. She caused just enough havoc to put a major dent into Thursday’s first and second round schedules.
-
Lady Colonels drop 12-9 decision at home to Clay County
The Whitley County Lady Colonels found themselves in a slugfest for most of the night against Clay County Thursday.
-
Colonels win big
Hollywood couldn’t have scripted the way Whitley County senior Alex Rose’s final start of the season went down Thursday.
-
Carson comes big against Bears
Senior Night turned out to be a great day for North Laurel’s lone senior Marcus Carson.
-
Lady Redhounds fall on the road, 10-0
The Corbin Lady Redhounds went into Thursday’s game against Middlesboro riding a five-game win streak and winners of seven of the past nine. The streak didn’t last though, as the Lady Yellow Jackets outplayed Corbin to a tune of 10-0 in five innings.
-
SPORTS HEADLINES - MAY 17, 2013
Jumpers stun North
On the move
Local players advance in boys & girls state tennis action
Lady Colonels drop 12-9 decision at home to Clay County
Colonels win big
Carson comes big against Bears
Lady Redhounds fall on the road, 10-0
-
Corbin falls short
The Corbin Lady Redhounds’ quest for a state championship came to an end Wednesday at the University of Kentucky’s Boone Tennis Center after dropping a 3-0 decision to Sacred Heart in Final Four action.
-
No slowing down
Those who know outgoing Corbin High School freshman Alex “Dub” Smith will tell you that, despite being born with a disability, he's your average run-of-the-mill American teenager.
-
Fear 'Les' 13th Region Diamond Rankings
It’s been very difficult for me the past couple of weeks to decide on who is the top rated team in the 13th Region.
- More Local Sports Headlines
-
Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital
Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest
Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting
CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools
$1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest
NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor
Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool
Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids
Raw: Bear Falls From Tampa Tree
Ousted IRS Chief: Errors Not Caused by Politics
Terror Suspect Due in Court in Idaho Friday
Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge
Could Tobacco Be the Next Biofuel?
Wash. State Releases Draft Rules for Legal Pot
Dying Man's Blinks Lead to Murder Conviction
Officials: Texas Tornado Likely Had 200 Mph Wind
Brothers Arrested in NOLA Parade Shooting
Raw: School Bus Crash Injures Five Children
Quick Response Saved Baby on Phila. Train Tracks
One Million Evacuated As Cyclone Hits Bangladesh
