The Clinton County Bulldogs lost its final game of the regular season Thursday night to Barren County, but came back in the first round of the 16th District Tournament and defeated Metcalfe County 81-51, for a berth in the 4th Region Tournament and a shot at the 16th District championship on Friday night.

Clinton County 81

Metcalfe County 51

Clinton County got off to a slow start on Monday night during the opening round of the 16th District Tournament, but Jackson Harlan scored the first five points for the Bulldogs on a three pointer and a field goal, 5-0.

Metcalfe County battled back and took a one point lead on a 6-0 run, 6-5 with 2:50 on the clock.

During the final 2:50 of the first quarter, Clinton County’s offense started to pick up as the Dawgs put together a 13-2 run to lead after the first quarter, 18-8.

Metcalfe County wouldn’t completely go away, however the Dawgs’ offense was starting to improve. At the 4:43 mark, Clinton County reached a 16 point lead on a three pointer by Davis, one of his four of the game, 32-16.

The Dawgs continued to add points throughout the second period and finished with 27 total points in the second period alone for a halftime lead, of 45-25.

During the third quarter, the Dawgs continued to add to its lead. Davis scored 11 of the team’s total 18 third quarter points, which also included a field goal by Harlan and Summers and a three pointer by Brett Gibson.

After three quarters, Clinton County acquired a 63-39 lead.

The fourth quarter for Clinton County was just a formality as the Dawgs set cruise control on, but ended up scoring 18 points in the final quarter to take the win, 81-51.

Clinton County will face the winner of Tuesday night’s game with Cumberland County and Russell County (too late for press deadline) on Friday at Cumberland County at 7 p.m.

Individual scoring for Clinton County was:

Davis 28

Gibson 13

Summers 12

Harlan 8

Langford 6

Choate 5

Stockton 5

Chase Guffey 2

Caleb Guffey 2

Clinton County 56

Barren County 65

The Bulldogs dropped its final regular season game against Barren County on Thursday night of last week.

Barren County controlled the game from the beginning by scoring 14 points to Clinton County’s eight points in the first eight minutes.

The Dawgs put up 13 second quarter points, but Barren County put up one more than the Dawgs with 14 for a 28-21 lead over Clinton County.

Barren County also outscored Clinton County in the third quarter 14-10, to lead 42-31, but Clinton County posted 25 points in the final quarter, but allowed Barren County to score 23.

The Dawgs lost the contest by nine points, 65-56.

Individual scoring for Clinton County was:

Harlan 19

Davis 18

Summers 7

Langford 7

Gibson 5

John Davis led all scorers Monday night with 28 points off the bench in Clinton County’s first round district tournament win against Metcalfe County, 81-51.

Above, Senior Brett Gibson put up a three pointer during the first half against Metcalfe County in the opening round of the 16th District Tournament Monday night.

Gibson finished the game with 13 points as the Dawgs won the game 81-51. The championship game will be played Friday night at 7 p.m. at Cumberland County. Clinton County’s opponent in the championship game was determined Tuesday night, too late for press deadline. The Dawgs will face the winner between Russell County and Cumberland County.

Left, Official Larry Hammer issued a technical foul on Clinton County Head Coach Todd Messer during the second half of Monday’s game against Metcalfe County.