Playing in their first basketball game in 11 months, the Clinton and Onsted JV teams took to the court to begin the 2021 season after a three month delay.  Ironically, these are the same two JV teams that played in the final game of the regular season last year before the Covid pandemic shut down the post season one week later.  There were many similarities between that final game last year and the first game of this new season.  Onsted would hang on for a 54-49 win after a hotly contest battle for all four quarters to begin this 2021 season.

Onsted raced out to an 18-12 first quarter lead thanks to 12 points by Connor Szul.  Sam Brown's six first quarter points kept Clinton within reach.  The defense would pick up for the boys in red during the second quarter, holding the Wildcats to just six points and scoring 14 of their own to take a 26-24 lead into halftime.  Lucas Richie led the charge on the offensive end during the quarter with seven points of his own.  

The tide would turn in the second half as Onsted would regain control with an 18-10 advantage in the 3rd quarter, taking a 42-36 lead into the final frame.  Clinton would try to put a run together on several occasions, but in the end Onsted would prevail. 

The most glaring stat of the night, and the biggest difference of the game, was at the free-throw line as Onsted was sent to the line 31 times, knocking down 21 of those attempts. Clinton was just 5 for 11 on the night from the free-throw line, a difference of 20 free-throw attempts between the two teams. 

Lucas Richie finished the night with 11 points, the only Clinton player to reach double figures, but there were contributions from many.  Kyle Wenk was next in the scoring column as he finished with 9 points to go with 6 rebounds.  Sam Brown led the team with 8 rebounds to go along with his 8 points.  Ethan Herington also added 8 points and 6 rebounds.  Rounding out the scoring for the night was Zach Kovach with 4 points, Landon Busz and Keegan Huston with 3 points each, Teddy Pizio with 2 points, and Brandon Johnson with 1 point. 

The team will look to bounce back on Thursday when Dundee travels to town for a 5:30 PM JV start time. The varsity game will follow.