Switzerland County traveled to New Washington last Friday night for a game with the Mustangs, and after the Pacers raced out to a 19-8 advantage after one quarter, Switzerland County cruised in from there and secured a 66-40 win.
Junior center Austin Clark had another huge game, finishing with a game-high 20 points; and T.J. White had a career-high 14 points in the game.
The game was never in doubt, as Switzerland County’s offense sparked immediately, with Chase Ritch nailing a pair of three-pointers while T.J. White and Clint Swanson each accounted for five points.
Austin Clark had a bucket in the first stanza, and Bob Tressler also converted a freethrow.
New Washington got six points from Ian Hughes in the first period; but the Mustangs simply couldn’t match the Pacer offense.
The second quarter was a more equal contest, but New Washington found out just how dominating Austin Clark can be, as he accounted for six points in the quarter and controlled the inside. Trevor Smith had four points in the quarter, and T.J. White contributed the other three points.
At the half, Switzerland County was in front, 32-19.
The Pacer offense raced out of the halftime lockerroom, this time controlling the third quarter by a 17-6 count.
Austin Clark continued his hot streak, contributing nine points in the quarter including a three-pointer; and Switzerland County got a balanced offense after that, with T.J. White, Trevor Smith, Braden Burk, and Bob Tressler each accounting for a basket in the period.
After three quarters, Switzerland County was comfortably in front, 49-25.
The final quarter saw coach B.J. McAlister get his reserves some valuable playing time heading into the stretch run of the season, and the squad responded with another 17-point period while New Washington scored 15 points in the quarter.
Riley Phagan had five points in the final quarter, including a three-pointer and a pair of freethrows; while T.J. White had four points before heading to the bench and Austin Clark had three more before taking a seat. Trevor Smith had three points in the quarter as well, and Braden Burk had two points.
The final score was a blowout: Switzerland County 66, New Washington 40.
Along with Austin Clark’s 20 points and T.J. White’s 14; the Pacers got nine points from Trevor Smith and six points from Chase Ritch. Clint Swanson and Riley Phagan each had five points; Braden Burk finished with four; and Bob Tressler added three.
Overall the Pacers made 23 two-pointers and four three-pointers, and were 8-for-12 from the freethrow line.
New Washington was led by Ian Hughes with 15 points; and Dustin Cooper had nine. The Mustangs managed to connect on just nine two-point field goals while making three three-pointers. They finished 13-for-17 from the freethrow line.
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In the junior varsity contest, Switzerland County defeated New Washington by a score of 54-21.
The Pacers were led by Ben Curran and Nathan Hunter, each finishing with 12 points; and Justus Powell was also in double figures, as he contributed 10 points.
Riley Phagan and Riley Pegg had six points each; Caleb Furnish had five points; and Zach Whitaker had three points.