It was a rare Tuesday night varsity game, but the Switzerland County Pacer varsity basketball team welcomed Franklin County for a makeup game that was postponed last week due to winter weather.
The Pacer offense hit on all cylinders from the get-go, but Switzerland County was not able to shake the pesky Wildcats until the fourth quarter. In the end, the Pacers pushed away to a 70-54 win.
Switzerland County got on the board first with an inside bucket by Bob Tressler; and after Dylan Cregar matched that, Austin Clark got free inside for a basket and followed that with a freethrow. Tyler Miller hit a jumper to climb back to within one; but again Austin Clark powered his way inside for a three-point lead.
Franklin County rebounded with two straight baskets to take a lead; but then it was Clint Swanson’s turn to take over the game, scoring five straight points to retake the lead by four. The Wildcats then scored to get within two, but Alex Curran’s put back bucket at the buzzer gave Switzerland County a 14-10 lead after the first eight minutes of play.
The second quarter got underway when Clint Swanson missed a freethrow, but Austin Clark pulled down the rebound and fed the ball to Alex Curran for an easy layup. Zach Sizemore scored from the baseline for Franklin County; but that sparked a Pacer run, as Bob Tressler, Clint Swanson and Austin Clark each scored baskets to extend the lead to 22-12 with 4:52 to play.
Dylan Cregar scored to stop the run, but T.J. White matched that to keep the lead at double figures. The Wildcats followed that with a basket, but Austin Clark drilled a three-pointer to keep the Pacer offense rolling. The teams took turns exchanging freethrows, and Franklin County made a run at the end of the half, going on a 7-2 run to get back within six. Alex Curran had the lone Pacer basket.
At the half, the Pacers led by a 31-25 score.
Clint Swanson had an exceptional night, and he opened the third quarter with a runner in the lane. Austin Clark followed that with an inside bucket, and after Dylan Cregar got the Wildcat offense on the second half board, a Clint Swanson freethrow kept the lead at nine.
Tyler Miller hit a three-pointer for the Wildcats that gave Franklin County some life; but Austin Clark took that right away with a three-pointer of his own. Clint Swanson’s layup moments later again pushed the lead into double figures. After Franklin County made a freethrow, the Pacers got a basket by Bob Tressler after he pulled down an offensive rebound in traffic and fought his way back to the board.
The teams battled back and forth for the remainder of the period, with the Pacers getting baskets from Bob Tressler, Ben Curran, and Trevor Smith, while Austin Clark connected on another three-pointer.
After three quarters, Switzerland County again held a 51-44 advantage.
After scoring 20 points in the third period, the Pacers kept rolling in the final stanza, outscoring Franklin County 19-10 to secure the win.
Austin Clark opened the Pacer scoring with a three-point play; and Chase Ritch followed that with a three-pointer. Austin Clark and Clint Swanson hit jumpers to push the lead to 11. The Pacers cruised home from there, getting baskets from Clint Swanson, Alex Curran, and Austin Clark; while Trevor Smith converted three freethrows.
At the final horn, the Pacers had secured a 70-54 win to push their overall record to 14-4.
Austin Clark led Switzerland County with 26 points in the game; while Clint Swanson finished in double figures with 16.
Alex Curran and Bob Tressler each finished with eight points; while Trevor Smith had five. Chase Ritch added three points; and T.J. White and Ben Curran each contributed two points.
Dylan Cregar led Franklin County with 15 points; while Tyler Miller and Zach Sizemore each had 11.
The win propels the Pacers into their final home game tomorrow (Friday) night when Jac-Cen-Del visits. The regular season wraps up next Friday night with a visit to Madison before Sectional play opens.
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In the junior varsity game, Franklin County defeated Switzerland County by a 43-38 score.
Tristen Bolton led the Pacers with 11 points; and Nathan Hunter was in double figures with 10. Nolan Armstrong had six points; Riley Pegg had three; and Zach Whitaker, Justus Powell, Ben Curran, and Caleb Furnish each had two points.