The Clinton County Bulldogs were held to just 34 percent shooting in the first round of the All “A” Classic against Knott County Central Thursday, that resulted in a 52-37 loss for the Dawgs.

Knott County Central was ranked in the top 20 in the state and made it to the semi-finals of the All “A” Classic before being defeated by eventual champ Newport Central Catholic.

Clinton County had two chances to take the lead early in the game, but Keifer Dalton missed two free throws in the opening minute. Knott County scored first for a 2-0 lead, but Colby Langford hit a field goal to tie the score at two.

Langford picked up two quick fouls in the first quarter and was forced to watch from the sidelines for a good portion of the first half.

The Patriots went up 4-2, but a field goal by Joe Davis, who finished the game with a team high 11 points, tied the game with his first basket.

Knott County hit a free throw to move ahead by one and Dalton tied the score with one of two from the line, 5-5.

Clinton County then fell behind as Knott County Central hit back-to-back field goals to move up 9-5 with less than two minutes remaining in the first quarter.

Frank England hit a field goal with 57 seconds remaining to cut the lead to two points, 9-7, to end the first quarter.

During the second quarter, Clinton County continued to struggle from the floor as the Patriots continued to add points to its side of the board.

Knott County Central put together a 9-4 run throughout the second quarter until Lance Claywell hit a three pointer with 2:23 remaining in the half, 18-13.

The Dawgs finished the quarter with one field goal as Knott County added five points on a three pointer and a two point basket, 23-15.

During the third quarter, the Dawgs were held scoreless until the 5:28 mark when England hit a two pointer to cut the lead to 11 points, 28-17.

Clinton County’s poor shooting on the night didn’t help the final score outcome, but the Dawgs’ defense did allow Clinton County to make a small run and cut the lead to six points, 30-24, with 1:48 left in the third quarter.

Clinton County finished the quarter with one field goal while Knott County added five points to the board to end the quarter, 35-26.

In the fourth quarter, Knott County jumped out to a 15 point lead with 4:05 on the clock and all hopes of advancing to the second round of the All “A” Classic diminished from the Dawgs’ faces.

From that point on, Clinton County only scored seven points to Knott County’s eight for a final of 52-37.

Clinton County hit 14 of 41 from the floor, including four of 15 from the three point line for 34.1 percent, compared to Knott County’s 51.2 percent from the floor.

From the free throw line, the Dawgs shot five of 14 for 35.7 percent. Clinton County only committed 10 turnovers while pulling down a total of 26 rebounds.

Individual scoring for Clinton County was:

Davis 11

Dalton 8

Langford 7

F. England 6

Claywell 3

G. England 2

Clinton County’s next game came Tuesday, too late for press deadline, at home against Wayne County. The Dawgs will travel to Caverna Thursday for a junior varsity/varsity game. Tip off is set for 6 p.m.

Frank England put up a shot in traffic Thursday night during the All “A” Classic. England finished the game with six points as the Dawgs dropped the decision, 52-37.

Glen England came off the bench in the second half to put up this shot in the lane. The Bulldogs were put out of the tournament with a first round loss to Knott County Central.

Colby Langford moved through the lane during the first half last Thursday, January 24, against Knott County Central during the first round of the All “A” Classic. The Dawgs lost the game by a final score of, 52-37.

Lance Claywell hit a three pointer from the left wing during the first half against Knott County Central. The Dawgs were defeated in the first round by a final score of, 52-37.