Taking on their Clinton neighbor Tuesday, the Hobbton junior varsity Wildcats clawed their way to a 44-38 victory after four quarters of basketball action.

Stepping onto the freshly waxed court for the first time this season, both the Dark Horses and the Wildcats came pumped and ready to play, ending the first quarter neck-and-neck, 8-7, Hobbton’s lead.

With their claws freshly sharpened, the Wildcats would continue to claw at the Dark Horses defense, putting up 17 additional points prior to the half. The Dark Horses would only get another six points on the board, entering into the half behind 25-13.

After the break, Clinton’s junior varsity took the court with retaliation on their minds.

Rallying in the third quarter, the Dark Horses put 14 points on the board compared to Hobbton’s 11. However, despite their efforts to gallop ahead, the Wildcats remained in the lead 30-27.

In the last 8 minutes of play, tension would build on the court as Clinton would try to close the gap and take the lead, but the Wildcats would continue to dominate their territory and take the game 44-38.

Clinton’s lead players were Aaron Campbell with five rebounds; Jamal Fryar seven points, five rebounds and four steals; Will Pearson had three assists; and Ryan Chester had 12 points.

Hobbton’s leaders were Hunter Rose, 14 points; Gabriel Barksdale, seven points; Jonathan Faison, nine points; and Giovante Devone, five points.

Scoring 1 2 3 4

Clinton: 7 6 14 11

Hobbton: 8 17 11 8

Jessica Wagner can be contacted at (910) 592-8137 ext.122 or reached by email at siphoto@myclintonnc.com