After losing three of its last four games, Clay County needed a win in the worst way, and the Tigers got.
Led by Hayden Harris’ 20-point scoring effort, Clay County managed to capture its first 49th District win of the season by pulling out a 55-50 road win over Jackson County.
The Tigers’ Landon Dezarn scored 14 points while Grayson Hooker, and Aiden Wagers each scored six points apiece.
The five-point loss snapped the Generals’ two-game win streak as they fell to 5-3 overall, and to 1-1 against 49th District opponents.
Jude Lakes, who was presented his 1,000-point ball before the game, led Jackson County with 22 points while Tydus Summers finished with 10 points, and Carter Cunagin added six points.
The game was close throughout with the Generals building a 10-7 edge in the first quarter behind Ashton Clemens, and Cunagin’s four-point scoring efforts. Harris kept his team in the game by scoring all seven of the Tigers’ points.
Clay County took a 24-20 lead into the locker room at halftime as Harris hit two 3-pointers, and scored eight points while Ethan Jackson scored four points in the second quarter. Jeremy Hibbard also hit a key 3-pointer.
The Tigers continues to hold a slim four-point advantage (35-31) entering the fourth quarter as five points by Dezarn, and four points by Wagers kept Clay County in the lead.
Clay County hit 9-of-13 free throw attempts in the fourth quarter to seal the win. Dezarn scored nine points during the final eight minutes while Hooker added four points.
The Tigers will be back at home on Monday, hosting Leslie County in the Bobby Keith Classic while Jackson County will host Oneida Baptist on Monday.
