KEENE – Outmanned and shorthanded, the Clifton boys basketball team suffered a disappointing 55-39 road loss to the Keene Chargers in a District 17-3A matchup Tuesday night. The Cubs (1-1 in district, 13-5 overall) will attempt to rebound when they host Grandview (2-0, 10-12) Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Clifton High Gymnasium.
Still playing without senior leading scorer TJ Ferch out with an injury, the Cubs fell behind quickly. But even though Keene (1-1, 7-6) enjoyed a commanding 37-11 lead going into halftime, Clifton came out inspired in the third quarter. Despite outscoring the Chargers, 27-18, in the second half, it proved to be too little, too late for the Cubs.
Sophomore Seth Payne led Clifton with 13 points and nine rebounds, followed by junior Luis Rodriguez with 10 and sophomore Alex DeLaHoya with six. Sophomore Griffin Phillips led the Cubs with nine boards and three steals.
In other District 17-3A action Tuesday, Whitney overwhelmed Harmony School of Innovation, 77-18, Maypearl edged West, 56-47, and Grandview crushed Rio Vista, 99-39. Friday’s district games will feature Keene at Maypearl (2-0, 9-6), West (0-2, 10-9) visiting Whitney (2-0, 6-8), and Rio Vista (0-2, 6-12) hosting Harmony (0-2, 0-4).
Photos by DAVID HARDING
©2020 Southern Cross Creative, LLP. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
