CLINTON – Sophomore Landon Stanley sparked an 18-11 West Bladen closing run with 8 of his game-high 14 points as the Knights pulled away for a 42-33 Southeastern Athletic Conference boys’ basketball victory over Clinton Tuesday night.
The Knights carried a 24-22 lead into the final period. Freshman Chase Williams sank a free throw, and senior Javonta Matthews powered inside for a basket. Stanley nailed a 3-point shot, and junior Gary Parker hit a free throw.
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Photos by Kenneth Armstrong
Matthews muscled in a basket, and Stanley buried his 3rd 3-point shot of the game. Senior Josiah Brown popped in a basket, and Parker and sophomore Malachi Allen made a free throw each. Stanley sealed the verdict with a pair of free throws.
Matthews followed Stanley on the Knight scoring list with 11 points. Allen finished with 8 points. B. J. Bennett topped the Dark Horse scoring with 9 points, and Landen Pearson tallied 8 points.
Bennett scored 6 points in the opening period as Clinton forged an 11-9 lead. Allen ignited the Knight offense with a basket then drained a 3-point bomb. Senior Keshawn Ballard cashed in 2 free throws, and Matthews worked the paint for a basket.
Stanley began the 2nd quarter with an old-fashioned 3-point play. Matthews pounded the boards for another 3-point play then scored another basket. Clinton still led 19-17 when Stanley beat the buzzer with a mid-court shot for 3 points that vaulted the Knights in front 20-19 at halftime.
The scoring slowed down in the 3rd quarter as freshman Hezekiah Adams and Allen threw in the only Knight baskets, but the defense limited Clinton to 3 points and maintained the 24-22 lead.
Coach Travis Pait’s Knights improved to 10-12 and will close out regular season play Wednesday night at Midway.
West Bladen 9 11 4 18 – 42
Clinton 11 8 3 11 – 33
West Bladen (42) – Hezekiah Adams 2, Josiah Brown 2, Landon Stanley 14, Malachi Allen 8, Keshawn Ballard 2, Gary Parker 2, Javonta Matthews 11, Chase Williams 1, Travail Baldwin.
Clinton (33) – Zicareian McNeil 3, Walker Spell, Blake Smith 1, Landen Pearson 8, Nick Smith 6, Bryan Edwards 6, B. J. Bennett 9.
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