The McClain Tigers evened their league record at 3-3 Friday night with a 60-37 victory over the win less Washington Court House Blue Lions.
McClain came out hot knocking down four 3-point shots in the first quarter, two from sophomore Bryson Badgley and two from junior Matt Bliss, those would be Bliss' only points of the night but Badgley had himself a ball game, finishing with a game high 23 points and knocking down six shots from behind the arc. Washington was held to just 1 made field goal in the first quarter as they were 1-8 from the field for 12.5%. McClain led after the first quarter 16-6.
The second quarter wasn't much better for Washington as even though they shot 50% but that was on 3-6 shooting. McClain outscored Washington 12-8 and took a 28-14 lead into the half. Badgley led McClain with 11 points in the first half but McClain even with a double digit lead weren't lights out in the first half, they shot 9-24 from the field for 37.5% but knocked down 6-14 3-point shots for 43% and were 4-6 from the free throw line, and they committed 7 turnovers. Washington shot 28.5% for the half on 4-14 shooting and were 0-2 from beyond the arc, they were 5-8 from the charity stripe and committed 11 turnovers.
In the third quarter Washington was able to cut the McClain lead to 11 as they jumped out on 5-3 run but they couldn't get the shots to drop. They started out 0-7 from the field and went 0-6 on one trip alone down the court. After there little run, McClain would go on to outscore Washington 32-22 through the second half with outstanding all around play. Badgley would go on to knock down two more 3's in the second half to go along with 12 points to give him six 3's on the night. Junior Point Guard Camden Closson finished with 7 points but he drove Washington ball handlers crazy and was a major facilitator on the offensive side of the ball. Sophomore Preston Saunders also had a good all around game finishing with 10 points. McClain was patient with the basketball, moved it around the court, found the open man and took the good shot, eleven of those "good shots" were from behind the 3-point line. They finished 11-26 for 42% from behind the arc and were 19-46 overall for 41%. They committed just 11 turnovers and made 11-16 free throws. McClain 4-8 (3-3) plays Unioto at home tomorrow.
Washington 0-12 (0-5) was led in scoring by freshman Tanner Lemaster who had 20 points, 14 in the second half. Lemaster struggled shooting in the first half going 2-13 from came on in the second half, hitting shots both inside and outside the arc. Mitch Lotz provided 8 points for the Blue Lions. They shot just 30% for the night on 12-40 shooting and made just 2-7 shots outside the arc, committed 18 turnovers and didn't shoot too bad from the line going 9-16 for 51%. The Blue Lions next play at Adena on Tuesday.