LEES CREEK — East Clinton played one of its best games of the season Tuesday night, defeating visiting Frankfort Adena, 84-74, at the EC gym.
With the win, the Astros improve to 4-7, while the Warriors fall to 7-3.
East Clinton first-year head coach Tony Berlin credited his team with executing a consistent effort in all four quarters. He felt good about his team’s chances going into the contest because of their hard work and preparation leading up to the game.
“We had a real good week of practice. When you have good practices, those equal good performances, and that’s what we had on the floor tonight,” he said.
“Overall, we’re heading in the right direction. Tonight we moved the ball well and we took care of the basketball (11 turnovers) — plus we boxed out and looked for the best shot. The kids are really playing well and their hard work is starting to pay off,” he said.
The Astros had nine different players in the scorebook, including four in double figures. Wyatt Floyd paced the EC attack with 23 points.
Two non-starters, Jonny Blair and Austin Mercer, both came off the bench, and both scored 16 points. Mercer had 11 in the second half, while Blair scored nine in the first half.
The game was a 17-17 stand-off after the first period and the Astros took a slim lead at halftime, 37-34. The Astros took control of the contest with a combined 43-33 effort in the middle two periods. Mercer nailed a trey from the top of the circle to begin the fourth period, giving EC a commanding 63-50 advantage. The Warriors closed the gap to single digits with just over 2:00 to play in regulation, but would get no closer.
East Clinton cashed in at the free throw line, converting 21 of 28 chances, including an 11 for 15 effort in the fourth period.
Adena’s Jonathan Thomas was the game’s high scorer with 30 points, including 16 in the second half. Thomas accounted for 11 of Adena’s fourth quarter points. Isaac Thomas also reached double figures with 16, including 12 in the second half.
“We’ve got a quick turnaround and must prepare for Blanchester, who comes in here on Thursday night. They’ve been playing well and we will need another effort like this one to beat them,” Berlin said.
SUMMARY
Jan 5, 2016
@East Clinton High School
East Clinton 84 Adena 74
E 17.20.23.24…..84
A 17.17.16.24…..74
(84) EAST CLINTON (fg-3fg-ft-tp) Conner 0-0-1-1 Blair 6-1-3-16 Mercer 7-2-0-16 Barnes 5-0-1-11 Floyd 6-0-11-23 Jenkins 3-0-3-9 P. Luttrell 1-0-0-2 DJ Luttrell 2-0-0-4 Campbell 0-0-2-2. TOTALS 30-3-21-84
(74) ADENA (fg-3fg-ft-tp) J. Postage 1-1-2-5 Cory 4-3-2-13 J. Thomas 10-1-9-30 C. Postage 0-0-2-2 Preston 1-1-0-3 T. Postage 2-1-0-5 Thomas 5-0-6-16. TOTALS 21-6-21-74
FIELD GOALS: EC 30-58 (Mercer 7-12 Floyd 6-11 Blair 6-10 Barnes 5-9 Jenkins 3-6 DJ Luttrell 2-3)
3 PT FIELD GOALS: EC 3-12 (Mercer 2-5)
FREE THROWS: EC 21-27 (Floyd 11-14 Blair 3-3 Campbell 2-2 Jenkins 3-4)
REBOUNDS: EC-35 (Blair 15 Floyd 7 Barnes 4 Mercer 3 Jenkins 2 P. Luttrell 2)
ASSISTS: EC-12 (Floyd 5 Jenkins 3)
STEALS: EC-8 (Floyd 3 Mercer 2 Blair 2)
BLOCKED SHOTS: EC-1
TURNOVERS: EC-11
