The Clinton County Bulldogs will make it to the 4th Region Tournament for the ninth consecutive year, which is the longest current streak in the region, by defeating Metcalfe County in the opening round of the 16th District Tournament Monday night at Russell County, 54-47.

Clinton County 54

Metcalfe County 47

In order to get to the regional tournament this year, Clinton County first needed to avenge a loss which kept the Bulldogs from advancing in the All “A” Classic Regional Tournament this season and possibly kept the team out of the All “A” State.

Metcalfe County defeated the Bulldogs in the semi-final round of the All “A” regional at Cumberland County last month, but when it actually mattered to advance to the post season, the Bulldogs took care of business.

Metcalfe County started off with a three pointer to take an early lead, 3-0, but Clinton County quickly jumped out in front with a field goal by Chase Stines, Nick Brown, Caleb Guffey and two free throws by Stines, for an 8-3 advantage.

Stines’ first of two free throws, at the 4:57 mark, broke a school record set in 1959 by Jim DeForest for the most free throws made in a season. When Stines made his first one, he had hit 228 for the year.

Both teams were a little sluggish in the first quarter, but Clinton County seemed to dominate the floor.

By the end of the first quarter, Clinton County had developed a 12-5 lead over the Hornets.

During the second quarter, Clinton County still remained cold from the three point line and Metcalfe County slowly got back into the game.

With the score 16-8, on a basket by Parker Tallent, Metcalfe County then cut the lead to three points, 16-13.

Stines hit a field goal at the 4:27 mark to add some cushion to the lead, 18-13, but a field goal by the Hornets cut the lead again to three, 18-15.

Stines was there again to add a field goal to the board, 20-15, but with time winding down in the half, Metcalfe County cut the lead to one point with 20 seconds remaining.

With the last play of the half, Brown squared up as time ran off the clock and drilled a three pointer to give the Dawgs a four point lead going into the locker room at the half, 23-19.

During the second half, Clinton County took complete control.

The Dawgs started off with a 8-1 run to lead 31-20 with 2:59 on the clock.

Metcalfe County didn’t go completely away, cutting the lead to four points, 31-27.

Evan Dearborn hit a three pointer with six seconds on the clock to put the Dawgs up by seven, 34-27, but a desperation shot by the Hornets as time expired went through the hoop to cut the lead to four points at the end of the third quarter, 34-30.

Metcalfe County cut the lead to three points early in the fourth quarter from the foul line, but a three pointer by Dearborn put the Dawgs up by six points, 37-31. The Hornets answered with a three pointer of its own to cut the lead back to three, 37-34.

The Dawgs then went on a 6-0 run over a three minute span to reach a nine point lead, 43-34 with 4:02 remaining with points coming from Brown, Tallent and two free throws from Bryson Cross.

Metcalfe County hit a field goal at the 3:26 mark, then while Clinton County was stalling the ball, Stines was called for his fifth foul on what was considered a bogus call by fans.

With 1:55 remaining in the game, Clinton County had retained a nine point lead after Cross knocked down two free throws, 45-36.

Metcalfe County would cut the lead to six, 46-40, at the 1:27 mark, but that would be as close as the Hornets would get for the remainder of the game.

Clinton County was too strong from the free throw line in the closing minutes hitting 11 out of 14.

The Dawgs finished the game with a seven point victory, sending Metcalfe County home early, ending its season, 54-47.

Individual scoring for Clinton County was:

Stines 12

Brown 10

Dearborn 8

Guffey 8

Cross 6

Delk 4

Tallent 4

Melton 2

Clinton County 54

Barren County 64

The Clinton County Bulldogs went into Thursday night’s game against Barren County with a 21-6 record and by the time the game had ended, it was almost like the Dawgs had lost two games with the two opponents it was facing during the contests.

Anyone who attended the game would agree the officiating left something to be desired and leaving head coach Todd Messer feeling like he was facing two opponents during Thursday night’s game.

At the start of the game, Clinton County went back and forth with the Trojans as Evan Dearborn picked up the first lead for the Dawgs on a three pointer, 3-2.

Nick Brown hit one from the foul line to extend the lead to two points, 4-2 and Caleb Guffey pushed the lead to four points on a field goal at the 3:30 mark, 6-2.

Barren County added a basket at the 3:18 mark, but Parker Tallent came in and scored two points to give the Dawgs a four point lead with 2:53 remaining in the first quarter, 8-4.

The Trojans hit a three pointer to cut the lead to one point, but Dearborn’s second three pointer of the night gave Clinton County an 11-7 first quarter lead.

The second quarter went much the same way as both teams played hard-nosed basketball.

Barren County finally tied the game at 15 at the 2:47 mark, but Dearborn was there again to add another three points to make it an 18-15 ball game.

The Trojans answered with a three pointer to tie the game, but Chase Stines hit two free throws to move ahead by two, 20-18 with 1:04 on the clock.

Barren County scored the final bucket of the half at the 45 second mark to take a one point lead at the half, 21-20.

Scoring picked up somewhat in the second half as both teams picked up the pace on offense.

The Trojans went up three points on a field goal early in the third quarter, but baskets by Stines and Guffey gave Clinton County a one point edge, 24-23, with 6:31 on the clock.

The rest of the quarter would see Barren County with control of the game, never running away with the lead, but always staying one or two points ahead of the Dawgs.

By the time the quarter had ended, Barren County led by two points, 38-36.

Clinton County came out strong in the fourth quarter with a three pointer by Dearborn to take a one point lead, 39-38.

Barren County regained the lead on one free throw and a field goal, 41-39.

Stines and Nick Delk combined for two baskets to give Clinton County a two point advantage, 43-41.

The score remained tight for the remainder of the game and at the 2:30 mark, it was tied at 47 after a three pointer was made by Barren County.

At the 1:00 mark, Delk went to the line and made two free throws to put the Dawgs up by two points, 49-47.

Barren County missed two free throws with 32 seconds on the clock and then fouled Brown in order to stop the clock.

Brown hit both free throws and put the Dawgs up by four points with 28 seconds remaining.

Ten seconds later, Barren County hit a field goal to cut the lead to two points, 51-49 and then fouled Delk in order to stop the clock again.

With 16 seconds remaining, Delk hit one of two to put the Dawgs up by three, 52-49.

As time ticked away, Barren County put up a heavily defended shot with two seconds remaining for the tie and it went in, sending the game into overtime, 52-52.

During the overtime period is where it all went down hill for the Dawgs, mainly because Clinton County didn’t get the final shot they deserved in regulation.

When Barren County hit its final shot, 1.8 seconds remained which was plenty of time for Clinton County to throw a pass the length of the floor and put up a desperation attempt.

Barren County’s Head Coach Warren Cunningham, argued long enough with the officials that the time was changed from 1.8 seconds to 0.7 seconds, which is barely enough time for a tip in.

In overtime, Barren County took complete control. The Dawgs only scored two points in the overtime period.

Stines fouled out in regulation and Guffey got his fifth foul in the overtime period.

Head Coach Messer was called for a technical foul with under a minute left to play as the Dawgs fell to the Trojans, 65-54.

Individual scoring for Clinton County was:

Stines 24

Dearborn 12

Delk 7

Brown 5

Guffey 4

Tallent 2

Clinton County’s next game will come Friday night in the championship round of the 16th District Tournament against the winner of Tuesday night’s game (too late for press deadline) between Cumberland County and Russell County.

Tip off is set for 7 p.m. in Russell County.

Chase Stines broke the school record for most free throws made in a season Monday night at the 4:57 mark with 228 made this season. That record was set in 1959 by Jim DeForest.

Evan Dearborn put up a three pointer during the first half against Metcalfe County on Monday night. Clinton County won the game, 54-47, to move to 22-7 on the year. Dearborn finished the game with eight points.

Below, Caleb Guffey put up a shot Monday night against Metcalfe County. Guffey finished with eight points.