Tigers earn big win at Vinton County Saturday night; fall against Miami Trace, CMHS and ECHS

The McClain Tigers snapped a nine-game skid on Saturday night by winning a non-conference road game against the Vinton County Vikings, 53-51 at Vinton County High School. 

McClain’s victory included senior Jordan Bell finishing with 24 points for the Tigers, as he made six 3-pointers, two two-point baskets, and he finished 2-of-4 from the free-throw line. Bell added three rebounds, one assist and one steal. 

Lucas Banks ended with nine points for MHS as he sank a 3-pointer and made three two-pointers. Banks also collected nine rebounds, three assists and two steals. 

Brady Binegar totaled eight points off three two-point field goals, and he was 2-of-2 from the free-throw line. Binegar added one rebound, three assists, two steals and a block. 

Elijah Storer had seven points in the Tigers’ win, plus he finished with three two-point baskets and was 1-of-2 with his free throw attempts. Storer also collected 10 rebounds to lead McClain, plus added two assists, two steals and one block. 

Leiland Bond finished with two points and one rebound. Gavin Anderson also scored two points with one rebound. Matthew Cummins scored one point and finished with three rebounds and one steal. 

The Tigers’ totals were 13 two-point baskets, seven 3-pointers (Bell 6, Banks 1), and they were 6-of-10 from the free-throw line as a team. MHS also had 28 rebounds (seven offensive), nine assists, eight steals and two blocks. 

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Tigers drop FAC game to Panthers

On Monday, Feb. 16, the McClain Tigers lost a Frontier Athletic Conference game to the Miami Trace Panthers by a 67-37 score at MTHS.

The Tigers trailed 23-9 after the first quarter, then after being outscored 27-13 in the second, it was a halftime deficit of 50-22. 

MTHS won the third frame at 11-6 and in the fourth quarter MHS outscored the Panthers, 9-6. 

The Tigers were led in the scoring column by both Lucas Banks and Brady Binegar with seven points each. Elijah Storer totaled five points, and teammate Ethan Fryer had four points. 

They were followed by Jordan Bell, Gavin Anderson and Connor Chandler with three points each. 

Julien Evans and Carson Chandler each finished with two points. Matthew Cummins finished with one point. 

The win by MTHS also made them the outright FAC champions as they were 10-0 in the conference this season. 

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McClain drop game at East Clinton 

McClain continued their road trip with a non-conference game at East Clinton High School as they were defeated by the host EC Astros, 54-50. 

The Astros gained a 10-6 lead after the first quarter, then came back with an 11-10 second frame for a halftime advantage of 21-16. 

The Tigers came back with a 17-14 third quarter, but ECHS scored 19 points in the fourth frame, while MHS had 17 points scored in the same quarter.

McClain’s leading scorer was Connor Chandler with 19 points, followed by Lucas Banks with 11 points and Matthew Cummins with seven points. 

MHS also had scoring from Jordan Bell with five and Elijah Storer, Leiland Bond, Brady Binegar and Bryson Bihl with two points each. 

McClain has an overall record of 6-15 this season. 

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Tigers fall to Falcons 

The McClain Tigers boys basketball team traveled to Clinton County Tuesday evening (Feb. 10) to take on the host Clinton-Massie Falcons by a 45-40 score at CMHS. 

The game of the former conference counterpart saw McClain lead 16-14 after the first quarter with a 3-pointer by Brady Binegar, a 3-pointer from Lucas Banks, a 3-pointer and free throw made by Jordan Bell, two points from Connor Chandler off a made basket, and four points off a two-point basket and two free throws by Elijah Storer. 

Both teams scored eight points in the second frame, leaving the Tigers ahead 24-22 at halftime. The Tigers’ eight points were scored by Banks, Bell, Chandler and Storer with two points each. 

The two teams also scored nine points apiece in the third as Julien Evans, Leiland Bond and Storer each scored two points, while Matthew Cummins scored three points with a basket and free throw. 

CMHS won the fourth frame at 14-7 to pass the Tigers on the scoreboard in the final quarter for the win over MHS. 

The Tigers’ fourth quarter included all seven points scored by Banks with two two-point baskets and a 3-pointer. 

Banks led the Tigers with 12 points as he made three two-point baskets and two 3-pointers. 

Storer totaled eight points for MHS with three two-point baskets, and he was 2-of-2 from the free-throw line. Bell finished with six points as he made a 3-pointer and was 3-of-5 in his free throw attempts. 

Chandler finished the game with four points off two made buckets, and with three points each were Binegar and Cummins as Binegar made a 3-pointer and Cummins had a two-point field goal and one free throw made on one attempt. 

Evans and Bond each finished with two points as both players made a basket. 

The Tigers totaled 11 two-point baskets, four 3-pointers and they were 6-of-10 from the free-throw line. 

Clinton-Massie was led by Quinn McCoy with 13 points and Ty Martin with 12 points. 

The Falcons totaled 13 two-point baskets, four 3-pointers, and they were 7-of-11 from the free-throw line. 

BOX SCORE
MHS       16 08 09 07 — 40
CMHS    14 08 09 14 — 45