CLINTON — After dropping a road game two days ago, Starkville responded with a win.
Behind a very balanced offensive attack, the Yellow Jackets got past Clinton, 53-35, in a key Region 2-7A matchup on Friday night.
“We came tonight with like a must-win situation for us over these next two games to try to put ourselves in position to be second or third in the district tournament,” said Starkville coach Anthony Carlyle. “The guys responded well even with us being shorthanded due to injuries and they did a good job playing.”
Starkville never trailed and couldn’t have asked for a better start. With the Yellow Jackets up 7-4 midway through the first quarter, Starkville ended the opening quarter on a 11-1 run to take a 18-5 lead.
In the second quarter, each team kept trading baskets but the Yellow Jackets ultimately held a 31-20 halftime lead.
The third quarter was a defensive one that saw Clinton chipping into the Starkville lead as the Arrows began the quarter on a 7-2 to cut the lead down to 33-27, but the Yellow Jackets responded with a 6-0 run to stretch the lead out to 39-27. Starkville held a 39-30 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
The Yellow Jackets began the fourth quarter on a 7-0 run to extend the lead out to 46-30 and held Clinton to just five points in the quarter to put the game away.
“We made it a point of emphasis to play well defensively tonight and we did that for the most part,” Carlyle said. “The guys answered the challenge and got a big win on the road in the district.”
David Washington had 14 points to lead Starkville, while Jaden Tate added 13 points and Jerwan McCarter had 11 points for the Yellow Jackets (19-6, 5-3 Region 2-7A).
“We came into tonight with the right mindset to play together and step up,” Washington said. “I’m a senior and one the leaders of the team, so tonight we had to rebound and make shots and we did that.”
Jakobe Cavett had 14 points to lead Clinton (12-12, 2-6).
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