The Bulldogs picked up its first loss of the season Tuesday against Grayson County, but finished the South Central Bank-Halton Classic with three more wins, for a record of 13-1.

“Tournament play is a really good thing even though it takes us away from the normal routine,” Messer said. “Playing so many games in so many days exposes your team to weaknesses that need correcting.”

Clinton County 51

Grayson County 54

Clinton County’s first loss of the season came at the hands of Grayson County on Tuesday at Allen County/Scottsville High School.

“I love how the Christmas tournament gives you a whole lot of different looks as far as the composition of the team you are playing,” Messer said. “The other thing you see is how your kids play when they are tired. In order to win a regional tournament you are going to have to play back to back nights and you are going to have to overcome your body telling you ‘you are tired.’”

The Bulldogs were down by six after the end of the first quarter, 13-7, trailed at the half, 24-21, tied it up at 36 after three quarters, and lost by three points, 54-51.

Individual scoring for Clinton County was:

Langford 15

Stearns 10

Dalton 9

Stalcup 7

Davis 4

Maupin 4

Beard 2

Clinton County 56

Heath 47

For Clinton County’s second game on Wednesday, December 28, the Bulldogs took on Heath and won by a final, 56-47.

Clinton County led after the first period, 18-6, at the half, 26-17, after three quarters, 44-37 and held on for a 56-47 final.

Individual scoring for Clinton County was:

Stearns 15

Dalton 13

Stalcup 12

Maupin 8

Langford 5

Alberston 2

Beard 1

Clinton County 52

South Warren 35

The Bulldogs continued to roll on at Allen County/Scottsville defeating South Warren, 52-35, on Thursday, December 29, 2011.

Clinton County led after the first quarter, 16-10, at the half, 36-15, and 48-21 after the third quarter.

The Bulldogs scored four points in the final period, compared to South Warren’s 14 to reach a final of 52-35.

Individual scoring for Clinton County was:

Stearns 18

Stalcup 13

Davis 6

Dalton 6

Maupin 2

Beard 2

Cook 2

England 2

Langford 1

Clinton County 55

Allen Co./Scottsville 40

The Bulldogs won it’s final game of the holiday season against Allen County/Scottsville.

Clinton County led after the first period 14-13, was up by two at the half, 24-22, and 40-31 after three periods and held on to win 55-40.

Individual scoring for Clinton County was:

Maupin 16

Stalcup 12

Langford 8

Dalton 7

Davis 6

Stearns 4

Beard 2

“The thing that makes this group of kids so special is our chemistry is unreal,” Messer said. “They only care about winning … they don’t care about who scores, they don’t care who plays. I’ve had seniors sit out big portions of the second half of games and they are my biggest cheerleaders on the bench. Anytime you can get that type of chemistry you have the potential to do special things.”

Clinton County will be back in action on Friday, January 6, 2012 as the Bulldogs host Metcalfe County following the Lady Dawgs’ game.