Clark County Wins TRC Shootout At Knox County

By David Sharp

Clark County outscored the Eagles 35-20 during the second half of a key December 20, 2007 Tri-Rivers Conference boys’ game at Knox County and earned a 54-43 victory. The Indians (4-3, 1-0) capitalized on their second half scoring chances. Knox County led 19-9 at one point in the second quarter.
The Eagles played very strong defense and paced the first quarter by an 11-4 margin. Clark County battled back in the final three minutes of the first half and got within a 23-18 halftime deficit.
Clark County worked their offensive sets better in the second half. The Indians came out on Knox County defensively. Clark County scored the first five points of the third quarter.
Colt Summers tied the score at 23 with a Clark County free throw with 4:10 showing on the third quarter clock. Zach Parrish played a solid floor game. Parrish sank two KCHS free throws, putting the Eagles back on top by a pair 11 seconds later.
Knox County got several good shots late in the third quarter. The Eagles opened a 29-25 lead when Dennis Dent scored at the 2:45 mark of the third period. Ethan Allen answered for the Indians 16 seconds later, trimming the KC edge to 29-27.
Daniel McMahon stepped up and sank a three pointer with 2:09 showing on the third quarter clock. Ethan Allen sank a critical in kind answer, bringing Clark County back within a 32-30 deficit.
Ethan Allen worked free of the KC defense and sank another momentum changing three pointer with four seconds remaining in the third quarter. Clark County took a slender 33-32 edge into the final eight minutes.
Knox County found themselves in the one and bonus free throw situation just inside the six minute mark. Zach Parrish tossed in a pair of free throws, pulling the Eagles back within a 40-38 deficit. Shane Clouse answered a Clark County field goal, cutting the Indian lead back to a deuce.
Clark County started getting critical rebounds and steals. Javis Vineyard stole the ball and scored a Clark County basket with 3:39 remaining in the contest for a 46-40 Indian lead.
Ethan Allen converted Daniel McMahon’s fourth foul into a 47-40 lead at the 3:20 mark of period four. Lynn Williams sank a Clark County free throw, capping a crucial six point Indian run with 2:50 showing on the clock.
Zach Parrish ended the KCHS scoring drought with two free throws at the 2:15 mark. Clark County opened the door with a turnover. The Indian defense was able to push a Knox County offensive player behind the back board with Clark County leading 49-42.
Javis Vineyard made a play for Clark County at the one minute mark. Vineyard rebounded a missed three point attempt and put Clark County up by a commanding 51-42 margin. The Indians extended their lead to 54-42 with 16 seconds remaining in the game.
Knox County had 13 offensive rebounds, but could not finish enough scoring chances to prevail. Ethan Allen canned four three pointers and led all scorers with 19 Clark County points.
Brian Plenge was in double figures with ten Indian points. Michael Brennan was next in line with nine Clark County points. Clark County was 11-19 from the free throw line. Knox County was 10-15 from the charity stripe.
"They are a very good team on both ends of the court," said Clark County coach Clint Smith of the Eagles. "We were able to establish the kind of game we wanted to play in the second half. We picked them up for the full 92 feet defensively. We hit our jump shots in the second half."
"We were going inside and kicking the basketball back out for our jump shots," said Coach Smith. "We found a way to win. That’s all that is important in a conference game."