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FROM STAFF REPORTS
The Hampton Bulldogs couldn’t find a way to stop Clay County’s Grant Strong and ultimately lost a road game to a team that yearly can be found in the state basketball tournament.

Strong lived up to his name as he pumped in a game-high 46 points to propel Clay County to a 78-73 win over Hampton.

The game was close at the halftime intermission as Clay Co. held the upper hand by eight points over the ‘Dogs, 37-29.

Michael Harrison and Morgan Lyons each tallied six points in the half to pace the ‘Dogs. Cadon Buckles and Dalton Holtsclaw netted five each in a contributing role.

Strong has 20 of his 46 in the first half to stake his team to the lead. Keaton Arms backed up his teammates effort by scoring eight.

Hampton just couldn’t collar Strong in the final half of play as the high-scoring Clay Co. shooter as he visited the charity stripe 18 times in the second half alone and hit 14 of those shots.

The Bulldogs never gave up as they closed to within five as the final horn sounded.

Buckles recorded a team-high 18 points to lead Hampton with Lyons finishing with 17 points and eight boards. Harrison ended his night with 11 points. Logan Whitehead pulled down six rebounds.

Isaiah McCoury logged nine assists in the contest with Conor Burleson rejecting three shots.

Hampton hit nine treys in the loss.

Jeff Spivey and Arms finished with 13 and 10 points respectively for Clay Co.

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Clay County, 78-73
Hampton (73)
Michael Harrison 11, Isaiah McCoury 5, Cadon Buckles 18, Dalton Holtsclaw 7, Logan Whitehead 5, Morgan Lyons 17, Conor Burleson 6, Hayden Campbell 4.
Clay Co. (78)
Jimmy Burchett 2, Jeff Spivey 13, Grant Strong 46, John Hamilton 10, Bryce Bailey 7.
Hampton …. 15 14 18 26 – 73
Clay Co. …… 17 20 17 24 – 78