Winning their third straight game for the second time of the season, the Clifton-Clyde boys basketball team advanced to 10-9 with a pair of wins over TVL foes Doniphan West and Washington County.
Versus Doniphan West, the Eagles won 54-40.
A Colt Germann three put the Eagles on the board and gave them an early 3-2 lead, but an 8-2 Mustang run ripped the momentum to the away team. After the Eagles got it to a 10-7 game, Doniphan West went on a 9-4 run to take a 19-11 lead after one quarter.
The Eagle defense stepped up in a big way in the second quarter, holding the Mustangs to only four points for the entire quarter as the Eagles were able to retake the lead, thanks to a 9-0 run before a Mustang three made it a 22-20 game. Clifton-Clyde regained the lead and went into the locker room with a 24-23 lead entering halftime.
The Mustangs were able to get some more offense going in the third quarter, but the Eagles offense stepped up, keeping Doniphan West at arms reach as the Eagles expanded the lead and entered the fourth quarter holding a 42-33 lead entering the final quarter.
As the Eagle defense continued to make things difficult for the Mustangs, the offense was able to push the lead to double figures and provide enough cushion for Clifton-Clyde to take the 54-40 victory to cap off winter homecoming games.
Luke Nobert led in scoring with 25 points, seven rebounds, three assists and a steal.
Germann had eight points, three rebounds and a steal.
Landon Begnoche had seven points, three rebounds and three assists.
Versus Washington County, the Eagles won 66-53.
An Ethan Sacco three would put the Eagles up 3-0, but the offense would struggle as Washington’s defense was protecting the rim, and the Tigers took an 11-3 lead with just 2:40 to go in the first quarter. The Eagles would rebound and close the quarter on a 12-0 run, to retake the lead on a Levi Thrasher layup and enter the second quarter leading 15-11.
Both teams would go back and forth in the second quarter, with nobody able to get a full run going. After the Tigers cut the lead down to three, 20-17, the Eagles would go on a 12-5 spurt to take a 33-22 lead entering halftime.
Washington County came out of the locker room on fire, opening with an 11-4 run and cut the Eagle lead down to four with 4:30 to go in the third quarter. A layup by Emitt Tiemeyer was able to break the run, but a Tiger free throw took the lead down to three. A Tiger layup at the buzzer made it a 45-41 Eagle lead entering the fourth.
A 12-2 fourth quarter opening gave the Eagles a double-digit lead, and they held a 57-43 advantage with just over four minutes to go in the final quarter. The Tigers were able to get the lead down to eight with one minute to go, but the Eagles closed the game with a 7-2 run to take the 66-53 victory.
Luke Nobert had 14 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals.
Emitt Tiemeyer had 14 points, two assists and a rebound.
Ethan Sacco had 13 points and four rebounds.
