JACKSONVILLE – Going into Wednesday night’s District 4-4A game against top-seeded Bishop Kenny, the Clay boys basketball team, had the perfect game plan to try and pull off the …
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JACKSONVILLE – Going into Wednesday night’s District 4-4A game against top-seeded Bishop Kenny, the Clay boys basketball team, had the perfect game plan to try and pull off the upset.
Unfortunately for the Blue Devils, it only lasted three quarters.
The Crusaders out scored Clay 15-2 in the final quarter to earn a 55-39 victory and advance to the District 4-4A championship while the Blue Devils season ends at 11-10.
“The fourth quarter came down to empty offensive possessions and they made their free throw down the stretch,” said Clay head coach Jared Moses, who just finished his ninth year as head coach. “We executed the game plan but we went cold in the fourth quarter.
Clay was led by Tre Griner and Dylan Griffin who each scored 12 points while D’Maurion Frazier added eight points.
The Blue Devils were deliberate on their offensive sets in the opening getting good drives to the basket and defensively their man to man caused Bishop Kenny (21-4) to commit five first half turnovers. Griffin, a senior forward, had nine points including a 3-pointer and four steals in the half with the Crusaders holding a 24-23 advantage.
“We aren’t in this position if it wasn’t for Griffin’s play all year,” said Moses. “He’s a senior I feel bad that his season ended this way for him.”
Clay grabbed a 30-26 lead on consecutive baskets by Frazier with 3:18 left in the 3rd quarter but Kenny went on a 29-9 run over the last 11 minutes of the game to close out the game.
The referees whistle favored the home team in the second half as Clay tallied 10 team fouls to only two for the Crusaders. Griner and Griffin each fouled out late in the fourth quarter.
“I feel like the refs took a chance away from my kids, “ lamented Moses.
“These guys worked so hard all year you hate to see a game affected by the officials.”
The Blue Devils return three starters while they will graduate three seniors so the nucleus looks good going into next year.