Clinton and Hobbton played in the nightcap of the Dark Horse Holiday Classic on Tuesday night. The Dark Horses and Wildcats faced off for the second time in less than a week and the results were much the same with the Dark Horses taking a 82-44 win to advance to Wednesday’s championship game against Wilmington Ashley.

It took a few minutes for the Dark Horses to shake off the holiday hangover, trailing 5-0 in the opening minutes before turning on the jets and reeling off 10 unanswered points on the way to a 17-10 first quarter advantage. The Dark Horses kept their foot on the gas in the second quarter extending their lead to 43-18 before the break and looked poised to blow the Wildcats out of the gym.

Hobbton showed signs of life early in the second half, scoring nine unanswered points to open the third quarter before Kris Williams hit a three-pointer nearly four minutes into the half. The Williams jumper seemed to ignite the Horses as they went on a run of their own, turning back the Wildcat rally and putting the Horses in the driver’s seat with a 54-38 lead going to the final frame.

The Dark Horses turned up the defensive intensity in the fourth quarter, forcing several Hobbton turnovers and turning them into easy baskets as they cruised to the 82-44 win over the ‘Cats. After the game, Hobbton head coach Alfonza Hooper lamented his team’s inability to maintain their early momentum.

“We got off to a good start but just couldn’t maintain. We went into a scoring drought in the second quarter and just dug a hole too big to get out of. Clinton is too talented to give them a big early lead and expect to come back.”

Clinton’s head coach Randy Jordan was pleased with the win, but realizes his team has room for improvement, saying “I’m happy to get the win, but we have to play better if we are going to accomplish our goals as a team. These guys have set some lofty goals and we have to come out and play better if we want to reach those goals.”

Williams, who scored 19 points for the Horses, commented on his team’s play after the game saying, “it is great to win but we can play better. I think we played to the level of our competition tonight. We played good in spurts but then really didn’t play to well at other times. We have to be more consistent.”

Clinton’s JJ Robertson led all scorers with 20 points and Dewan Lesane pitched in 14 for the Horses. Lesane talked about the Dark Horses’ defensive effort after the game.

“We really turned up the defensive pressure in the fourth quarter and I think they got really frustrated,” Lesane said. “We need to play four quarters like that and we will be hard to beat.”

Omar Farrior and Walter Thompson paced the Wildcats with nine points each and Jordan Pearsall added five points for Hobbton.

The win improves Clinton’s record to 8-2 overall and 2-0 in Four County Conference play. Hobbton falls to 4-6 overall and 1-1 in conference play. Clinton will face Wilmington Ashley in the Holiday Classic final on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m., while Hobbton draws the early game against cross county and conference foe Lakewood. See full coverage at www.clintonnc.com and in Friday’s edition.

Clinton’s Kris Williams (3) powers to the basket with a first half score as Hobbton’s Jared Gainey defends.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/web1_CHS-1-2.jpgClinton’s Kris Williams (3) powers to the basket with a first half score as Hobbton’s Jared Gainey defends.

Clinton’s JJ Robertson eyes the basket as he floats through the lane on the way to two of his game-high 20 points in Clinton’s win over Hobbton on Tuesday night.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/web1_CHS2-2.jpgClinton’s JJ Robertson eyes the basket as he floats through the lane on the way to two of his game-high 20 points in Clinton’s win over Hobbton on Tuesday night.
Dark Horses beat Hobbton, advance to holiday classic championship

By Mike Carter

Sports Writer