The Clinton County Bulldogs had every intention of playing next week in Richmond, Kentucky, in the All “A” Classic State Tournament.

Metcalfe County had other plans.

The Bulldogs, coming off a very tough first round win against Glasgow on Monday night of last week, squared off against the Metcalfe County Hornets in the semi-final round of the 4th Region All “A” Classic Tournament held at Cumberland County.

Clinton County started off the game struggling on offense going 0-5 from the opening tip.

Nick Brown started it off for the Bulldogs with a basket, but a three pointer for Metcalfe County gave the Hornets its first lead of the night, 3-2.

Caleb Guffey made a field goal at the 4:23 mark to put the Dawgs up by one, 4-3, followed by a three pointer by Evan Dearborn for a four point advantage with just under four minutes remaining in the first quarter, 7-3.

Metcalfe County came back and tied the score on back-to-back field goals, 7-7. Clinton County’s struggle on offense mostly came under the goal where shot after shot were made, but failed to connect.

Metcalfe County finished the quarter from the foul line, hitting two of two, for a two point lead heading into the second quarter, 9-7.

The second quarter still didn’t fare well for Clinton County on the offensive side of things, as shot after shot fell short.

Metcalfe County continued to maintain a lead and went on a 4-2 run to put the Hornets up 13-9 with 5:36 on the clock.

At the 4:22 mark, Chase Stines made a field goal to cut the lead to two points, then a mid-court steal by Delk followed by a layup tied the score at 13 with 3:45 remaining.

Clinton County’s run continued with a three point play by Guffey and a three pointer by Brown for a 19-13 lead.

Metcalfe County stopped the bleeding somewhat with a field goal, 19-15, but Brown knocked down another three pointer and put the Dawgs up 22-15 with 1:59 on the clock.

Metcalfe County slowly chipped back into the game with three free throws and a field goal for a 5-0 run.

With 45 seconds on the clock, Delk hit a three pointer to extend the lead to five, 25-20, and Metcalfe County hit a field goal to cut the lead to three points, 25-22.

As the quarter ended, Guffey got the final basket of the half and gave the Dawgs a five point lead heading into the locker room, 27-22.

The Dawgs came out after half time still struggling on offense. Metcalfe County put together a 9-0 run to take the lead by four points, 31-27 with 5:52 on the clock.

Brown stopped the run by hitting a three pointer to cut the lead to one point, 31-30.

Guffey took the lead on a field goal, but Metcalfe regained the lead on a three pointer, 34-32.

At the 4:12 mark, Metcalfe County continued with its lead with two foul shots to lead by four, 36-32.

Stines hit back-to-back field goals to tie the game at 36, but with 2:06 remaining, Metcalfe County took the lead on a field goal, 38-36.

Stines went to the line and hit one of two to cut the lead to one with 1:45 remaining. With time ticking away, Clinton County managed to secure the ball for the final shot in the third quarter.

As time ran out, Brown put up a shot from the left wing, a long two point field goal that made its way through the hoop to give Clinton County a one point edge, 39-38.

That basket propelled Clinton County in the fourth quarter as Dearborn hit a three pointer, 42-38, followed by Stines with two free throws, 44-38.

Metcalfe County answered with a 7-0 run to take a one point lead, 45-44.

Stines hit two free throws at the 4:46 mark to regain the lead, 46-45. Metcalfe County tied the score at 46 on one of two from the line and then took the lead on a three pointer at the 4:16 mark, 49-46.

Stines cut the lead to one at the 1:18 mark, 49-48. Metcalfe County went to the line with a chance to go up three points and missed two free throws with 1:09 remaining on the clock.

Stines drove the lane and made a field goal to take the lead, 50-49.

With 22.7 seconds remaining, a Metcalfe County player drove the lane on the left side of the floor and released a shot in the middle of the lane that found its was through the net to give the Hornets a one point lead, 51-50.

The next possession, Stines tried to get to the rim, but altered his shot and couldn’t connect.

Clinton County fouled Metcalfe County, sending them to the line with nine seconds remaining.

The Hornets hit one of two to put Metcalfe County up by two, 52-50.

Clinton County’s Dearborn was set up to take the final shot and although he had a clean look at the rim, the shot didn’t go through.

The Bulldogs were defeated by two points and knocked out of a chance to take its game to the All “A” Classic State Tournament, 52-50.

Individual scoring for Clinton County was:

Stines 17

Brown 13

Guffey 9

Dearborn 6

Delk 5

Clinton County was back in action Tuesday (too late for press deadline) at home against Russell County for the final regular season district game.

The Lady Dawgs will tip at 6 p.m. with the Bulldogs to follow.

Nick Brown put up a shot from the right wing during the second half against Metcalfe County in the semi-finals of the All “A” Regional Tournament last Thursday night.

Evan Dearborn put up the shot that could have won the game for Clinton County Thursday night, but it didn’t connect as Clinton County lost, 52-50, against Metcalfe County.

Under a minute remaining in the game, Chase Stines drove the lane and made this basket to take a one point lead, 50-49. Clinton County couldn’t hit the last second shot to win and lost the game, 52-50.