![](\"https:\/\/www.13thregionmedianetwork.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/img_5769-1-678x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"MANCHESTER \u2014 Whitley County coach Eric Sword knew his team would be tested early and often during their matchup with Clay County on Monday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His Colonels suffered their second loss of the season, dropping an 80-53 decision to the Tigers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whitley County\u2019s record falls to 5-2 with the loss while Clay County improved to 3-2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe played well for two and a half to three quarters,\u201d Swords said. \u201cOur guys executed and guarded well. Their size and athleticism really hurt us on the boards in the second half. They shot it until they scored. We just have to continue to grow, our team will continue to make huge improvements if we continue to stick with it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Colonels held their own in the first half, leading 19-16 at the end of the first quarter, and 33-29 at halftime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mike Jones\u2019 Tigers came out in the second half, and dominated from the third quarter on, outscoring Whitley County, 24-10, in the third quarter and 27-10 in the fourth quarter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bryson Mahan led the Colonels with 15 points while Riley Fuson chipped in 11 points, and Garrett Sharp finished with 10 points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n