Zane Trace holds on to defeat Tigers

GREENFIELD — The McClain Tigers came back from a disappointing loss Friday night to conference foe Jackson and played one of their best games of the year, despite losing 56-49 to a very good Zane Trace team.

The Pioneers came into the contest with an impressive 13-2 overall mark, with both of their losses coming from Miami Trace and Unioto, who are both undefeated.

“We didn’t go away tonight,” McClain head coach Jarrod Haines said. “Our motto is ‘Beat Yesterday,’ and because we didn’t play very well yesterday (Friday), I thought this was much better tonight.

“We had a lot more ball movement, and we had some shots going in, which always makes it a lot easier to get into the flow of the offense. I’m proud of my kids. We just kept bouncing back tonight and fought hard to the end, but unfortunately there just wasn’t enough time left.”

The opening quarter was really the difference in the game when the Pioneers outscored McClain 14-4, and that was the only quarter that the Tigers were outscored on.

McClain still trailed by double digits at the half by a 28-18 score, but it was the second period that saw the McClain boys play hard and aggressive, matching Zane Trace with 14 points scored.  

Senior Zane Adams was huge in the frame, scoring seven points, and freshman Brady Binegar came off the bench and had five points, as that included one basket from behind the line. Adams led all scorers at the break with 10 points and finished with a game-high 18.

“I thought Zane (Adams) played great offensively tonight and made a lot better decisions than he did last night,” Haines said. “Brady Binegar, who is a freshman, came in and gave us some really big minutes.”

The Tigers continued to battle and play hard in the third period, matching Zane Trace again with both teams scoring 11 points, but the lead was still double digits at 39-29 heading into the fourth.

McClain struggled a little to start the final period and found themselves trailing 47-34 midway through the frame, but this is when the Tigers started chipping away and got back into the ballgame.

Senior point guard Jordan Bell was huge offensively in the quarter for McClain, draining four long balls. Riley Cummins and Adams also made a trifecta, but it wouldn’t be enough as the Pioneers held on at the end and won 56-49.

The fourth was the most exciting — and highest-scoring quarter of the game — with McClain outscoring Zane Trace, 20-17.

“We dug a really big hole in the first quarter, but after that we went toe-to-toe with them and gave them all they wanted,” Haines said. “That was a team coming in that was 13-2, and their only two losses were to Miami Trace and Unioto. We’re in a rebuilding mode, and we’ve just got to start putting four quarters of basketball together, but I’m still really proud of my kids.

“Jordan Bell had a huge fourth quarter with those four threes, and I thought Owen (Sykes) and Hudson (Lovett) both played really big down inside for us tonight. Julien (Evans) came in and does what Julien Evans is supposed to do, he plays hard and gets after it."

Haines continued to speak highly of his team. 

“I’m super proud of my guys because they didn’t quit. We’ve just got to keep grinding it out because this is a really tough stretch we’re in right now,” Haines said. “We just need to keep coming to practice every day with a good attitude and effort and continue working hard to get better.”

McClain (6-8) travels to Fairfield Tuesday, Jan. 28 for another tough non-conference and county rivalry contest.

Individual scoring for McClain: Zane Adams (18), Jordan Bell (12), Brady Binegar (5), Riley Cummins (5), Owen Sykes (4), Hudson Lovett (4) and Julien Evans (1).

Zane Trace was led by Landen Jarrell and Grady Stewart, who scored 16 points each.