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By John Clark

CLARKTON – The Clarkton School of Discovery Blue Devils had 2 attempts at a tying 3-point shot bound off the rim in the final 10 seconds as Nakina held on for a 32-29 Waccamaw Middle School Conference ‘A’ Division boys’ basketball victory Monday night.

The Blue Devils carried a 20-19 lead into the final period, but a 3-point shot by Landon Hathway helped the Mustangs to a 24-20 lead. JaQuan McRae banged in a follow shot then tacked on a free throw to trim the margin to 24-23. Preston Dager’s lay-up grew the Nakina lead to 28-23.

Center Topher Callihan flipped in a lay-up for Clarkton, and McRae stole the ball and dashed for a lay-up that sliced the Mustang lead to 28-27 at the 2:24 mark. Two baskets by Case Simmons pushed the lead to 32-27, but Clarkton’s Izaac Elkins popped in a 10-footer to narrow the gap to 32-29 with 1:08 left. A missed Mustang free throw with 15 seconds remaining gave the Blue Devils their final chance.

McRae posted a double-double of 14 points and 14 rebounds to lead the CSD attack. Azarion Willis added 5 points and 2 steals, and Callihan grabbed 8 rebounds and tallied 4 points. Braylon Johnson pulled down 14 rebounds for the Blue Devils before fouling out late in the 3rd period.

Simmons led Nakina with 11 points, Chris Dixon followed with 7 points, and Cole Chestnut netted 6 points.

McRae sank a free throw, Willis nailed a 3-point shot, and Hunter Wood drilled in a long 2-point shot to give Clarkton an early 6-3 lead. Callihan muscled in a follow shot, McRae banked in a pair of runners and tacked on 2 free throws, and Willis stole the ball and raced for a lay-up that edged the Blue Devils ahead 16-14 at halftime.

Johnson and McRae powered in follow shots that stretched the Blue Devil lead to 20-14 midway the 3rd quarter, but Nakina rallied to within 20-19 at the quarter break.

Clarkton, now 0-6 in league play and 1-8 overall, will host Bladenboro Tuesday.

Nakina 5 9 5 13 — 32
Clarkton 6 10 4 9 — 29

NAKINA (32) – Case Simmons 11, Preston Dager 3, Cole Chestnut 6, Chris Dixon 7, Landon Hathway 3, Kyrie Smith, Walker Smith, T. J. Strickland 2, Isaac Reynosa, Isaiah Gore, Michael Little, Conner Edwards, Jentri Canady, Drake McClennan, Reid Spivey, Jesse Eage.

CLARKTON (29) – Topher Callihan 4, Azarion Willis 5, Hunter Wood 2, JaQuan McRae 14, Omar Powell, Braylon Johnson 2, Noah White, Izaac Elkins 2, Cayden Moore, Prince Powell, Ryne Priest, Aiden Trinidad, Zanmarion Pone.