CLAY COUNTY TIGERS (26-6)

13th Region Champions

Head Coach: Robert Marcum

 

After an 11-year absence, the Clay County Tigers (26-6) are back at the Sweet Sixteen. Robert Marcum’s squad suffered some early ups and downs this season , but finished the season strong by knocking off 13th Region favorite Harlan County in the regional finals, 84-76.

 

Clay County is making its first appearance in the Sweet Sixteen since the 2001 season and 28th overall. “This team has really worked hard to get where it is right now,” Marcum said. “We struggled some during the middle part of the season, but we began to turn things around and now we are going to Rupp Arena.

 

“We know it’s a different stage now, but I believe we will be ready,” he added. “I really like how we are playing.”

 

The Tigers are led by a sophomore and a handful of seniors, as sophomore Chip McDaniel leads the team with an 18.3 scoring average. He lit up the 13th Region competition during the regional tournament by scoring a tournament-best 78 points in three games. He’s also one of the best free throw shooters in the state. He’s shooting 86.6 percent on the season (136-of-157) and 38.4 percent from three-point range (66-of-172).

 

Seniors Marty Bowling (averages 11 points, 11 rebounds a game), Stephon Lyttle (averages 11 points, seven boards a game) and Kody Reed (10.1 points per game) are solid as well.

 

Clay County is 0-0 against state tournament competition and brings an impressive 15-game win streak into its Thursday, 8 p.m. matchup with Knott Central. “I don’t know much about Knott Central, but I know they’ve got a very good player and they’re going to be hard to beat,” Marcum said. “I like our team’s chances, though. We are playing really well right now.”

Will Clay County pull off the upset and send Knott Central and Cameron Justice packing? Can they keep their momentum up and restore pride into the program after an 11 year absence?

Great story for the Clay County community but unfortunately KCC has State Tourney experience and should pull this one out behind Cameron Justice.

 

Nice preview PP92.

Great story for the Clay County community but unfortunately KCC has State Tourney experience and should pull this one out behind Cameron Justice.

 

Nice preview PP92.

 

 

:sssh:

 

Les wrote this up. I just released it.

Clay County is actually 0-1 against state competition. They lost to Wayne County 53-81 (@ Clay County). That was the start of a three game losing streak, and was the second of their four losses in five games. Fortunately for Clay County, that streak was the last of their losses, as they haven't been defeated since January 10, 2010.

 

Fatigue could have been a factor in that stretch.

 

Clay Co played 3 games in 3 days in Raceland (Dec. 20-22),

Spent the Christmas holiday at home before a quick bus ride to Florida,

Went to Florida and played 3 games in 3 days (Dec. 27-29),

Returned from Florida and played Wayne County and Jackson County at home on consecutive nights (Jan. 4-5),

Played their former coach's team in Perry County Central (in Hazard) and Harlan Co. in the WYMT at Perry Central (Jan. 9-10)

 

Since that stretch, they've performed like a different team, so win or lose, I'm expecting them to have a good showing against KCC.