March 19, 2024

Clarke boys earn first win of year

The Clarke boys basketball team picked up its first win of the season here on Friday, defeating Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont 58-52 in South Central Conference action.

The Indians built a double-digit lead in the second half and held off a late E-B-F rally for the six-point victory.

Clarke was outrebounded and outshot in the win, but knocked down nine 3-pointers. Senior Carlos Tamayo made five 3-pointers in leading all scorers with 19 points.

The Indians made 18 baskets in the game and assisted on 15 of those makes, including seven assists from sophomore guard Troy Morgan.

“I keep telling the guys, we need to be a selfless team,” head coach James Larson said. “Just pass the ball, pass the ball. I don’t want them to take contested jumpers, because when we pass the ball and dribble drive, we get open shots. When we pass the ball, we’re a tough team to beat. We just don’t do that all the time.”

Despite being outrebounded, the Indians pulled down 42 total rebounds in the game, including 12 offensive boards.

Brandyne Olin and Grant Wishon both recorded double-doubles in the win. Olin finished with 10 points and 12 boards, while Wishon recorded 11 points and 10 boards, including five offensive rebounds.

“I think that was key,” Larson said. “Limiting them to one shot is huge in any game you play. Brandyne did a great job rebounding. It seemed like every defensive rebound, he got. Grant did a good job. Hunter Simpson did a good job playing defense and rebounding, too.”

Simpson pulled down six rebounds off the bench. Morgan scored 13 points, giving the Indians four players in double figures. Justin Adams added five points.

Clarke closes out the 2014 portion of its schedule on the road Friday against Centerville.