The Clinton County Bulldogs moved into the number 23 spot in the Dave Cantrall ratings published in the Lexington Herald-Leader Monday, January 9, 2012.

That rating was due in part from picking up another win Friday night against the Hornets of Metcalfe County, 86-40.

Clinton County 86

Metcalfe County 40

The Bulldogs got started on the right foot during Friday night’s contest against 16th District opponent Metcalfe County.

The Bulldogs are now 4-0 against 16th District teams with the regular season district play ending this week with the Russell County game on Friday.

The Bulldogs played Cumberland County Tuesday with the results of that game being too late for press deadline.

Friday night’s game wasn’t much of a contest for the Bulldogs, but was a refreshing game after being off for almost a week with the New Year’s holiday.

Clinton County opened up the game trailing by two as Metcalfe scored inside the first minute.

Colby Langford dropped in a basket to tie the score, but a three pointer by the Hornets gave Metcalfe County a three point edge, 5-2.

The Bulldogs then went on a scoring spree that resulted in a 20-2 run to finish the quarter, including a three pointer by Wayne Stearns as the buzzer sounded, 24-7.

The second quarter found Metcalfe County struggling to bring the ball up the floor against the Bulldogs’ press. Clinton County made several baskets off turnovers as the Bulldogs jumped out to a 32-11 lead with 5:14 on the clock.

Metcalfe County then started to score some points, but Clinton County matched the Hornets almost basket for basket. The Bulldogs went into the locker room at halftime doubling Metcalfe’s score, 46-23.

The third period is really when Clinton County set the tone as its offense scored 24 points. Points scored were not much different than the previous two quarters, but when you factor in Clinton County’s defense only allowing three points in the third quarter, fans saw the Bulldogs grab a 44 point lead as the fourth period started, 70-26.

At the end of the third period, Clinton County’s defense might have frustrated one of Metcalfe County’s players, as Asher Sullivan deliberately took Sawyer Stalcup to the ground when Stalcup stole the ball and ran it down for a layup.

Officials quickly jumped to an ejection call, forcing Sullivan to leave the game.

With the final eight minutes of play remaining, Head Coach Todd Messer pulled his starters and let his bench do the work.

Several players who practice hard throughout the week got the chance to show fans how deep the talent runs on the Bulldogs’ bench.

Clinton County scored four points for a 74-28 lead, but Metcalfe County put together a 6-0 run to cut the lead to 40, 74-34.

With 3:30 remaining in the game, Ethan Cook faked a pass and made a spin move on the left side of the court to score two points. Clinton County’s Frank England scored with 2:29 for a 78-37 lead and Lance Claywell scored four of his six points back to back for an 82-37 lead.

Clinton County’s Josh Cowan scored a basket for an 84-37 advantage before Metcalfe County knocked down a three pointer to reach 40 points for the game.

Claywell scored the final points of the game with two seconds on the clock to reach an 86-40 victory and to move to 14-1 on the season and 4-0 in district play.

Individual scoring for Clinton County was:

Langford 16

Stearns 12

Stalcup 11

Dalton 11

Maupin 10

Beard 6

Claywell 6

Albertson 4

Cowan 2

England 2

Choate 2

Davis 2

Cook 2

Clinton County was back in action Tuesday night against Cumberland County and will be on the road to face Russell County on Friday, January 14, 2012.

Girls’ varsity action is set for 6 p.m. with the boys’ game to follow.