The Clinton County Bulldogs traveled to the King of the Smokies tournament in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee after Christmas to play in three games before getting back to a regular season schedule.

After being ejected in the final game at the Twin Lakes Holiday Classic, Head Coach Todd Messer had to sit out all three games in Tennessee with Assistant Coach Mike Beard taking over temporarily.

Clinton County 36

MBA 61

Clinton County’s first game didn’t go at all the way it was expected as the Bulldogs fell by a final score of 61-36 against Montgomery Bell Academy out of Nashville, Tennessee.

During the first half, Clinton County found itself down by only six after the first quarter, 12-6. During the second quarter, the Bulldogs had cut the lead to three points at the half, 27-24, by outscoring MBA 18-15 during the eight minutes of play.

In the second half is when it fell apart for the Dawgs as MBA scored 14 points to Clinton County’s eight for a 41-32 lead.

In the fourth quarter, Clinton County’s Jackson Harlan scored the only field goal for the Dawgs. Adam Hay added two free throws for Clinton County’s only four points during the quarter. MBA scored 18 points to put away the Dawgs, 61-36.

Individual scoring for Clinton County was:

Harlan 17

Stockton 13

Guffey 4

Hay 2

Clinton County 46

North Murray 54

In the second game of the King of the Smokies Tournament, Clinton County took on North Murray of Chatsworth, Georgia.

The Dawgs found itself down by three at the end of the first period, 11-8 and down by only one at the half, 24-23.

During the third quarter, Clinton County outscored North Murray 14-12 to take a one point lead by the end of the eight minute period, 37-36.

Harlan put up 10 points in the period, followed by a field goal from Seth Stockton and one by Caleb Guffey.

As the fourth quarter rolled around, Clinton County went cold from the floor only scoring eight points with a free throw by Harlan, six points from Stockton and free throw by Evan Dearborn.

North Murray put up 18 points in the final period to best the Dawgs and pick up the win, 54-46.

Individual scoring for Clinton County was:

Harlan 15

Stockton 12

Dearborn 7

Stines 6

Brown 3

Guffey 3

Clinton County 58

Knoxville Central 53

The Clinton County Bulldogs won its final game of the King of the Smokies tournament against Knoxville Central.

In the first quarter, Clinton County found itself with a five point lead at the end of eight minutes, 13-8.

At the half, Clinton County put up eight points compared to Knoxville Central’s 12 to lead 21-20 at the break.

During the third quarter, Clinton County dropped in 22 points compared to Knoxville Central’s 18 for a 43-38 lead.

In a game that came down to the final minutes, Knoxville Central scored one more point than the Dawgs in the final period, but Clinton County’s lead that was established earlier in the game gave the Dawgs enough cushion to pull off the win, 58-53.

The Dawgs will be back in action on Thursday, January 3, to host Pickett County and will travel to Metcalfe County on Friday, January 4 to take on the Hornets.

Clinton County has a record of 9-5 on the year.

Individual scoring for Clinton County was:

Harlan 26

Stockton 10

Dearborn 10

Brown 4

Stines 4

Pruitt 2

Guffey 2