by Alan B. Gibson

Who’s Number One?

Regular season competition between the four 16th District teams came to a close on Monday night, with the “make-up” game between our Bulldogs and the cross-river rivals, the Lakers of Russell County.

Some nights, it just won’t go through the hoops, and that seemed to be the case for the Dawgs on Monday night, especially in the first half. At the same time, the goal seemed to be about four feet in diameter on the Russell County side of the court.

Result: Despite a 47 point second half effort, Clinton County lost it’s first 16th District match up of the season to the Lakers – 73-65.

Bottom line, after Monday night’s loss, is a tie between the Dawgs and the Lakers – with both squads finishing regular season play 5-1 against 16th District opponents in regular season – meaning the post-season coveted No. 1 seeding position is still up for grabs – or it’s a “toss-up” would better describe it.

At this Thursday’s organization meeting of 16th District Coaches, Athletic Directors and school officials, one order of business while putting together details of the upcoming 16th District Tournament, will be the coin toss to determine which squad sits atop the four-team bracket in the No. 1 position – Clinton or Russell County.

Thursday’s “winner” will be seeded against No. 4 Metcalfe County (0-6) while the second seeded team earns an opening round game against No. 3 Cumberland County (2-4).

Same situation with the girls’ teams – with Russell and Metcalfe County – both 5-1 in 16th District play – the team to sit atop of the girls’ brackets will be decided by a coin toss this Thursday.

At stake in that toss will be a top-seeded position to face No. 4 Cumberland County (0-4), while the second seeded spot will go up against our Lady Bulldogs (2-4).

I know – we’ve first got to deal with another week or so of regular season basketball before we head into the 16th District and the rest of the post-season – but at this point in the season, it’s hard not to begin looking down the road aways.