MOUNT AYR — Clarke’s boys basketball team missed on a couple of opportunities in Monday’s season-opening game at Mount Ayr.
But they didn’t miss very often.
The Indians dominated most of the way in rolling to a 71-35 win.
Clarke led 15-10 after eight minutes. The Indians dominated the second and third quarters to pull away. A 27-7 second quarter gave Clarke a 42-16 lead at halftime. The Indians outscored the Raiders 16-8 in the third quarter to stretch the lead to 58-24 after three quarters.
“They played well for the first game,” said Clarke coach James Larson. “We left some points out there.”
Clarke kept the tempo fast paced, something Mount Ayr could not keep up with.
“The guys played with good energy and played hard,” Larson said. “I liked how they pushed the ball.”
The Indian offense clicked much of the way.
“When we ran our offense, it looked good,” Larson said. “We still have a lot of things to work on, but I thought it was a good first game.”
Going uptempo allowed the Indians to find a groove.
“I love it when the guys run,” Larson said. “We got the rebound and went.”
Clarke had 20 assists on 28 baskets.
“Another thing I liked was the sharing of the basketball,” Larson said.
While it is just the first game, Larson saw a few areas to work on.
“We need to do a better job of running our fast break and zone offense,” Larson said. “When we ran it, it looked good. We have a lot of things to clean up and do better, but I thought it was a good first game.”
The Indians had a balanced night offensively. Troy Morgan led the Indians with 17 points. Grant Wishon had 15 points and seven rebounds. Byron Rivera had 12 points and six rebounds. Brandyne Olin had 13 points 10 rebounds and six assists. Lenny Peavy added five assists.
UP NEXT — Clarke (1-0) hosted Central Decatur Tuesday and hosts Chariton Friday.
CD girls cruise past Lamoni
LAMONI — Central Decatur’s quest for a second straight trip to the girls state basketball tournament started off with an emphatic positive.
The Class 2A fourth-ranked Cardinals dominated the second quarter, leading to a 78-39 win over Decatur County rival Lamoni on Nov. 18.
The Cardinals outscored the Demons 21-6 in the second quarter, turning a 26-17 lead after the first quarter into a comfortable 47-23 edge at halftime. The Cardinals pushed the lead to 66-35 after three quarters.
Emma Atwood was nearly flawless in all phases for the Cardinals. She scored 22 points on 9-of-10 shooting, including 2-of-3 from 3-point range, to go with four rebounds, four assists and three steals. Alli Masters had 19 points on 7-of-10 shooting, with a team-high eight rebounds, along with three steals.
Reagan Booth added 15 points, seven rebounds and three blocked shots.
The Cardinals (1-0) were at Clarke Tuesday, host Pleasantville Friday, host Grand View Christian Saturday and host Class 2A seventh-ranked Interstate 35 on Tuesday.
Clarke girls fall to rated Mount Ayr
MOUNT AYR — Clarke’s girls basketball team faced a stiff test Monday at Class 2A seventh-ranked Mount Ayr.
The Raiderettes showed the Lady Indians a few things they need to improve upon as Mount Ayr picked up a 66-40 win.
“They start five seniors who know how to play basketball,” said Clarke coach Eric Zoske. “It was a good test for the girls.”
Mount Ayr led 14-6 after one quarter. Clarke cut it to 18-15 late in the second quarter. The Raiderettes took over from there. Mount Ayr led 30-19 at halftime and 50-28 after three quarters.
“We stopped scoring,” Zoske said.
The Lady Indians are looking for a go-to scorer.
“We need to find a girl that will get the ball in the hoop on a consistent basis,” Zoske said. “If we don’t have a girl that can do this, it is important that we get the ball in transition and get to the foul line.”
UP NEXT — Clarke (1-1) hosted Class 2A fourth-ranked Central Decatur Tuesday. The Lady Indians host Chariton Friday.