The Clinton County Bulldogs moved to the finals of the 16th District Tournament last week, but fell in the championship game to the Russell County Lakers, 63-47. Clinton County got to the finals by defeating Cumberland County on Tuesday night, 73-56, in the opening round.

Clinton County 47

Russell County 63

The Bulldogs fell behind early in the finals of the 16th District Championship game as Russell County hit the scoreboard with a quick 5-0 run.

The Lakers were on fire from the three point line early, which contributed to its success.

Midway in the period, Russell County had jumped out to a nine point lead, 14-5. Clinton County outscored the Lakers in the final half of the period, 7-5 to trail 19-12 at the end of one.

During the second quarter, poor shooting by the Dawgs contributed to Clinton County falling behind even more as Russell County reached a 10 point lead with 5:10 on the clock, 26-16.

The Bulldogs started to chip away at the lead before the half, holding Russell County nearly scoreless for the remainder of the period, 27-23.

Both teams traded points in the first minute of the second half, then Russell County hit back-to-back baskets to move up by eight points, 33-25, with 6:16 remaining.

Clinton County started chipping away again at the Russell County lead and got to within three points, 40-37, on a three pointer by Lance Claywell with 1:30 remaining.

Russell County closed out the third period with two free throws to move up by five at the start of the fourth quarter, 42-37.

Clinton County fell apart in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter as Russell County put together a 9-0 run to take a 17 point lead, 54-37.

The Bulldogs could never recover from this run, only getting to 13 points with 1:25 on the clock.

The Bulldogs moved to 18-11 on the year with the 63-47 loss, and the runners-up honors in the 16th District.

Individual scoring for Clinton County was:

Claywell 15

Smith 13

Dalton 9

Anderson 6

Langford 2

Gibson 2

Clinton County 73

Cumberland County 56

In the first round of the 16th District Tournament, the number one seed Clinton County took on number four seed Cumberland County.

The Dawgs opened up the game with a 9-0 run before Cumberland County put up a three pointer.

Claywell knocked down a basket to add to the lead, 11-3, but Cumberland County hit another three pointer to cut the lead to five, 11-6.

Smith hit a three pointer to extend the Bulldogs’ lead with 36 seconds in the period, but a basket by the Panthers with 20 seconds remaining ended the first quarter with the Dawgs up 14-8.

During the second quarter, Clinton County started to pull away, but the Dawgs’ 13 point lead with 1:06 remaining was quickly cut to eight points just before halftime with back-to-back buckets by the Panthers, 32-24.

The Dawgs continued to remain in control during the first half of the third quarter, reaching a 10 point lead, 36-26, with 7:04 on the clock.

Cumberland County put together a 5-0 run to cut the lead to five points, but a 6-0 run by Claywell alone pushed the Dawgs’ lead to 11 with 3:04 on the clock, 42-31.

The Dawgs finished the quarter with a 10 point advantage, 44-34.

The final period saw both teams putting points on the board, but it was Clinton County that outlasted a more improved Cumberland County squad in the end.

Clinton County’s 18th win of the season came with the 73-56 first round defeat of the Panthers.

Individual scoring for Clinton County was:

Smith 22

Claywell 20

Dalton 15

Langford 4

Collins 3

Nelson 3

Gibson 2

C. Smith 2

England 2

Clinton County will travel to Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green Wednesday for a first round regional game against Bowling Green.

As of press time, that game is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m.

However, with the threat of another winter storm system projected to move in Wednesday and if that game is postponed, it is likely it will be made up on Sunday afternoon, March 8.

Check the NEWS’ Facebook page and Twitter account for information regarding a possible change for Wednesday’s game.

Chance McWhorter put up a jumper in the first half of Friday night’s 16th District Finals. Clinton County lost the contest, 63-47.

Chase Anderson made a layup in the second half against Russell County. Anderson finished the game with six points, however the Dawgs were defeated by Russell County in the district finals.