WILLIAMSBURG — Clay County remained perfect on the season Friday night, rallying in the fourth quarter to defeat Whitley County 62–56 and improve to 6-0 for the first time since the 2018-19 season.
It wasn’t the easiest win for Clay County coach Michael Jones, but in the end the Tigers did just enough to pull off the six-point victory.
“When shots are not falling, you have to find different ways to impact the game, and our group done that,” Jones said. “We are on the road headed to the airport to fly out to Orlando for a tournament – trap game right? We could have very easily laid down, but this group gutted one out tonight.”
The game was tight from the opening tip. The teams were tied 11-11 at the end of the first quarter before Whitley County (4-2) carried a slim 22-20 advantage into halftime.
Clay County’s Aden Grubb scored nine points in the third quarter, but the Tigers still trailed 39-38 entering the final period.
Whitley County continued to battle in the fourth quarter as Tootie Mahan scored eight points in the final eight minutes and Riley Fuson added five.
But Clay County answered with timely shooting and balanced scoring down the stretch.
Brody Hooker knocked down two three-pointers and scored six points in the fourth quarter while Aiden Wagers added six points of his own to fuel the Tigers’ late rally and secure the win.
“Tough one for our guys tonight,” Whitley County coach Eric Swords said. “I thought we battled hard and followed our gameplan. We weren’t able to speed them up. I thought our bigs played outstanding. We just got to shoot the ball better and continue working. I love our team and we will get better.”
Grubb led Clay County with 18 points while Maxton Gray finished with 12 and Jacob Rogers added 11. Hooker and Wagers each scored nine points.
Whitley County was led by Fuson with 16 points, Mahan with 14, and Garrett Sharp with 10.
