Since 2018, the Clinton varsity boy's basketball team has only beaten MRVC rival Odessa twice, once in 2021 and the other win came in Odessa earlier this month on January 5. The team, led by new coach Andre Steward, has 5 new starters this season and is very young with only one senior in forward Garrett Ethridge. Other regular starters include Jase Wilson, sophomore, guard; Jake Balke, junior, forward; Evan Mantonya, junior, center; and Kaiden Townsend, sophomore, guard. The bench consists of only three players in Collin Berry, senior and two freshmen, Turner Gardner and Ryan Lowe.
The Odessa game was the week’s final game of four for the varsity boys, who were fresh off of a long Christmas break.
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On January 2, the boys traveled to Nevada. It was a hard fought game in which the Cardinals showed great teamwork. The Cardinals found themselves down by only 7 at the half, 30-23. The Cardinals found themselves leading after a great 3rd quarter, 40-38. The Tigers scored 19 points to the Cardinals 8 in the fourth, which decided the game. Clinton had a better field goal percentage, shot 100% from the line for the night, had 9 offensive rebounds and 20 defensive rebounds. Clinton's 21 turnovers led to 11 of Nevada’s points.
Ethridge led Clinton with 12 points. Townsend had 11 and Mantonya tossed in 10. Lowe added 7 points, Wilson had 6 and Balke finished with 2 in the 57-48 loss.
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The Cardinals met a very talented team on January 3 when they traveled to Summit Christian Academy. The game was fast paced and Summit Christian pressed the entire way. The Cardis were simply outmatched and suffered their worst loss of the season, 84-29.
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On Thursday, January 4, Clinton hosted Lexington.
At halftime, the Cardinals were leading the Minutemen 27-21. In the third, Lexington scored 23 to put them ahead 44-40.
The Cardinals had 23 turnovers in the game leading to 18 points for the Minutemen.
Clinton lost 62-54.
Townsend led the way for the Cardinals with 21 points. Ethridge had 16. Mantonya, Gardner and Lowe each had 5 while Balke contributed 2.
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January 5 found the Cardinals traveling to Odessa to take on the Tigers in another conference match-up of the MRVC.
The Cardinals had not met Odessa yet this season, but lost 60-68 at home back around this same time last year.
The Cardinals were focused, they worked well as a team, didn’t force passes or shots and they were patient.
The score after the first quarter was 17-12 and it was 29-23 after two quarters were in the book. The third quarter ended at 51-44 and the final score was a hard-earned 64-56 victory for the Cards.
Several players scored in double digits. Mantonya led the team with 17 points. Townsend had 16 and was followed by Balke with 15 and Gardner and Wilson with 5 each. Ethridge had 4 and Lowe finished with 2.
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The Clinton tournament tipped off on Tuesday. The varsity boys took on Summit Christian on Tuesday and will face Pleasant Hill on Thursday and Butler on Saturday, all teams they have already lost to once this season.
Could the Cardinals get another conference win versus Pleasant Hill? Find out Friday night at 7:00 PM.
Go Cards!
