It was a solid night of conference basketball for the Lady Horses at Clinton High. Playing host to the Spring Creek Gators, it was a big win that sparked mercy early, yielding the final score of 79-36.

It was very much a one-sided match up from the get-go with Clinton, put simply, being the superior team. While they rather handily owned the Lady Gators on every aspect of the court, at both ends there were keys to their success.

The two major keys were rebounding, again on both ends, and shooting really well. They shot especially well from downtown where they connected for 10 total 3s.

Out-rebounding Spring Creek is an understatement. On the defensive side, they snatched away nearly every second chance opportunity the Lady Gators could’ve had. This opened up another avenue of scoring for the Horses which allowed them to run the floor. This was also big for them as they generated quite a few points on fast break moments.

On offense, they put up shot after shot after corralling numerous offensive boards consecutively, which only added to their unstoppable night of offense by putting them on the line a plenty.

Dark Horses head coach Chris Owens shared his satisfaction with his team’s success and touched on their keys to victory.

“First off, I thought we were going to come into this game with our legs given out, especially after the tough game we had to play at Wallace (Thursday night),” Owens said. “But, our girls came out pretty focused and we continued to get a little better.”

“We executed our plays and I was pleased with that. I was also pleased with the rebounding and with our shooting; we shot the ball pretty good tonight I think,” Owens added.

It can easily be said that the Lady Horses were rolling this go around. By halftime, they had practically wrapped the game up after being ahead 49-18. After going on one run after another all game long, they eventually hit the mercy-rule threshold. Coming in at just two minutes into the third, the clock didn’t stop, ticking continuously until the end just like the Lady Horses dominance.

Owens also shed light onto why his team has continued to roll.

“I think the key to it is staying out of foul trouble and sharing the ball, which is the main thing,” Owens said. “These girls are young and still learning but I like how they give me 100 percent. I think the keys are continuing to share the ball and commending each other.”

Sharing the ball was definitely apparent in this contest as Clinton had three players put on a show. Nakeviah Evans, Isa Banks and Khaliah Chestnutt were those players with Evans having 24, Banks adding 21, and Chestnutt rounding it out with 19.

With this win the Horses push their win streak to four straight and will to attempt to keep it going Tuesday. They’ll play host again for another conference matchup, where they’ll battle the Lady Raiders of Midway, who are coming off a loss at the hands of East Duplin on Friday.

Isa Banks drives past her defender.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/web1_CHS-Isa-Banks.jpgIsa Banks drives past her defender.

Nakeviah Evans splits defenders on a layup attempt.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/web1_CHS-Nakeviah-Evans.jpgNakeviah Evans splits defenders on a layup attempt.
Clinton notches mercy-rule win in 79-36 shellacking

By Michael Hardison

For the Independent

Reach Sports Editor Daron Barefoot at [email protected].