The Clinton County Bulldogs have started the season with an impressive 4-0 start, 2-0 in district play, with the final games of the first round regular season district wrapping up this week.

Clinton County    58
Metcalfe County    54

The Clinton County Bulldogs traveled to Metcalfe County Friday night to take on district rival the Metcalfe County Hornets.
The game saw a tight score throughout with Clinton County jumping on top early with a basket by Cannon Young, 2-0.
Metcalfe County answered and matched the Dawgs point for point until the Hornets took a three point lead on a 4-0 run, 11-8.
By the end of the first quarter, Clinton County found itself in a small hole, down by five, 17-12.
Noah McCutchen hit a three pointer to start the second quarter and bring the Dawgs back to within two points of the Hornets, 17-15.
It wasn’t until the 4:30 mark before either team would score again and it was Metcalfe County extending the lead to four, 19-15.
Offense wasn’t a strong point for the Dawgs in the first half as Metcalfe County controlled the board and the lead at the half, 27-22.
Metcalfe County opened the third quarter with a 9-0 run on the Dawgs to lead, 36-24 with 5:50 on the clock.
At that point, Clinton County started to make some noise and put together an 11-3 run to trail by two points, 39-37.
Clinton County fought and finally took the lead on a three pointer and a put back by Nick Poore, 44-42.
At the end of the period, both teams would be knotted up and tied at 46.
The fourth quarter saw two ties and two lead changes during the eight minute period, but with 57 seconds remaining and a one point lead, 55-54, the Dawgs start working the clock.
As the seconds ticked away, Steele Burchett was fouled, where he made one of two for a two point lead, 56-54.
Clinton County’s defense stepped up and was able to force a turnover, then Burchett was sent to the line again, where he made two of two for a four point lead and what would end up being the final score of the contest, 58-54.
Individual scoring for Clinton County was:
Poore    16
C. Davis    10
Young    12
D. Davis    8
Burchett    7
McCutchen    3
Irwin    1
Mason    1

Clinton County    61
Monroe County    55

Clinton County’s first test in district play came last Tuesday night at The Castle as the Dawgs hosted Monroe County.
Clinton County didn’t start off on the right foot as Monroe County quickly jumped out to a 6-0 lead.
The Dawgs came back and tied the score on a 9-0 run with 1:46 on the clock.
Both teams would finish the quarter with two field goals for an 11-11 tie.
As the second quarter got underway, Clinton County took the lead on a fast break basket by Burchett, 13-11.
Monroe County tied the score at the 6:30 mark and took a five point lead on a 7-2 run, 20-15.
The Dawgs stayed in the small hole for the remainder of the half as both teams went to their respective locker rooms at halftime with the Dawgs trailing 28-22.
The Dawgs continued to struggle in the third quarter as Monroe County remained in control of the tempo, leading 45-39.
The fourth quarter is when the Dawgs started to overcome the adversity, putting together an 11-2 run to take a 50-48 lead with 3:53 on the clock.
From that point on, it was all Clinton County that regained the momentum and control of the game.
In the final two minutes, Clinton County outscored the Falcons 9-5 in order to take the six point victory, 61-55.
Individual scoring for Clinton County was:
C. Davis    22
Young    13
Burchett    8
D. Davis    7
Poore    7
Irwin    3
McCutchen    1

Clinton County will be back in action on Tuesday night at The Castle (too late for press deadline) and will travel to Russell County on Friday night to end the first round of the regular season district play.

Cannon Young muscled up a shot under the basket during Tuesday night’s district game against Monroe County. Clinton County won the contest, 61-55.