Lady Buffaloes Hold Off Late Lady Indian Surge, 59-50; Boys Fall 79-40
By Michael Lindsay
The Clarkrange Buffaloes and Lady Buffaloes traveled to Oneida for non-district basketball Saturday evening as the girls won 59-50 and boys fell to the Indians, 79-40.
GIRLS
The Clarkrange Lady Buffaloes held off a late push by Oneida to escape with a 59-50 victory Saturday evening.
Clarkrange (14-4) led by as many as 18 points (35-17) in the second quarter before Oneida (11-4) cut the lead to four points late.
“We had a really good first half,” said Clarkrange girls coach Lamar Rogers. “This has happened to us before; the game’s not over at halftime. We got out of our press in the second half but had to get back in it. The (Kelsey) Pike girl was 10-12 from the foul line, and they hit some threes to make the game close.”
The Lady Buffaloes were led by senior point guard Mattie Bush, who posted 21 points and 6 assists in the win. Kady Hopkins had 16 points, followed by Addy Stowers with 10.
Oneida’s Kelsey Pike recorded a double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds.
Clarkrange looked poised to end the game early as they jumped out to a 24-10 lead after the first quarter. The strong start continued in the second half as Lady Buffaloes grew their advantage to 35-17 by halftime.
It was Oneida who came out hot in the second half as the Lady Indians outscored Clarkrange 17-12 in the frame to trail 47-34 going into the fourth.
Oneida’s comeback didn’t stop there as the Lady Indians cut Clarkrange’s lead to single digits (52-44) with 3:54 remaining.
“They play really well at home,” Rogers said. “When you have a 17-point lead at halftime, you have to be really focused. You tend to let up a little, and things go south.”
Oneida’s late surge continued as they came within 4 points (52-48) with 2:13 remaining via a Pike layup.
Clarkrange settled in from there as Bush sank a reverse layup out of a timeout on the ensuing possession to put her team up 54-48 with 1:41 left.
Following a defensive stop, Clarkrange stepped up at the free-throw line as Sells and Bush went a combined 5-6 from the three-throw line in the final 48 seconds to seal the Lady Buffalo win, 59-50.
Clarkrange’s win was the second of a back-to-back as they defeated Monterey Friday evening, 87-48. The quick turnaround gave them about 15 minutes to prepare for Oneida Saturday afternoon.
“We had a great game last Friday against Monterey; we shot it well and defended well,” Rogers said. “We had a shoot-around today (Saturday) about 15 minutes before we left and talked about our game plan and what they might do. We had seen them before this year and that made it a lot easier.”
The Lady Buffaloes return to District 7A play this week as they face Red Boiling Springs (10-6, 1-1) Tuesday evening. Clarkrange will travel to non-district foe Wartburg (5-8) on Thursday and hit the road to Celina for a district matchup with Clay County (14-3, 2-0) on Friday.
Clarkrange (59): Mattie Bush 21, Kady Hopkins 16, Addy Stowers 10, Chloe Rogers 6, Kacey Sells 3, Sophia Sitton 3
BOYS
The Clarkrange Buffaloes fell Saturday evening at Oneida, 79-40.
The Indians (9-6) had five players in double-figures, while Clarkrange (3-17) was led by 10 points from Logan Panell.
Oneida was hot from the opening tip as they led 21-6 after the first quarter. Clarkrange found their offensive rhythm in the second period but the Indians kept their onslaught going as they led 43-20 at halftime.
Oneida’s 20-point lead stayed intact in the second half as they led 60-34 after three periods before winning by a 79-40 final.
Clarkrange hits the floor next again against District 7A for Red Boiling Springs (1-11) on Tuesday before a trip to non-district opponent Wartburg (1-12) on Thursday. Clarkrange will then turn around quickly and travel to Clay County (12-3, 2-0) for a District 7A showdown on Friday.
Clarkrange (40): Logan Panell 10, Lane Byrd 9, Bryton Swallows 9, Jack Cordell 6, Kris Beaty 4, Collier Bush 2
