By Keaton Jessie – ST Reporter
The rematch of last year’s 16th district championship game was decided by single digits. The Bulldogs inched their way past the Cumberland County Panthers by a score of 60-53. The Panthers kept it within single digits the whole game, but the Bulldogs found a way to win.
Senior guard Nick Brown stepped up in a big way for the Bulldogs. Brown had 26 of the Bulldogs 60 points, Bryson Cross scored 16 points.The Bulldogs had some foul trouble early, senior guard Chase Stines was benched most of the second half with four fouls, and Junior guard Nick Delk fouled out late in the fourth quarter. Bryson Cross scored 16 points for Clinton County. “He is the kid night in, and night out i know what he is going to give us,” coach Messer said when talking about Nick Brown “He probably does not get the credit outside of our coaching staff and team that he deserves”
The Cumberland County Panthers were led by their senior forward, Hunter Perdue. Perdue left it all on the court in his final game as a Panther, he scored 21 points and grabbed a hand-full of rebounds. They stuck with Clinton County the whole way, but was unable to stop the Bulldogs.The Panthers finished their season at 6-19.
As for Clinton County they await to see who their opponent will be tomorrow night, when the Metcalfe County Hornets, who have played Clinton County three times and except for once have stuck with them, and had chances to beat them, and the Russell County Lakers who have beaten the Bulldogs earlier in the year.
Coach Messer is no stranger to the district title game, as i said he has been there 11 times in 12 years. “One thing I can assure you, is that we are very excited to play for the 16th District title.”
