RIO VISTA — Hoping to stay alive in the District 17-3A postseason chase, the Clifton boys basketball team suffered a 43-39 upset loss to Rio Vista on the road last Friday as the Cubs saw their chances to earn a playoff berth for the first time in 15 years shrink.
Senior TJ Ferch scored a team-high 14 points and pulled down the game-high eight rebounds, while senior Everett Sadler tossed in six points, grabbed five rebounds, dished out two assists and collected four steals.
Trailing fourth place Keene by two games with three remaining, Clifton (4-7 in district, 16-11 overall) needs to win out while the Chargers (6-5, 12-11) dropped their last three district matchups for the Cubs to earn a trip to the postseason. Keene owns the tiebreaker by virtue of sweeping Clifton in two district contests.
In other District 17-3A action last Friday night, league-leading Grandview disposed of second place Maypearl, 45-24, to clinch the district title, Whitney knocked off Keene, 73-56, to claim sole possession of third place, West fell to Calvert, 65-48, in a non-district game.
Friday’s district matchups include the Cubs hosting second-place Maypearl (8-3, 15-9) at 7:30 p.m., third place Whitney (7-4, 11-12) visiting district champion Grandview (11-0, 19-12), Rio Vista (3-8, 9-18) traveling to West (5-6, 15-14), Keene (6-5, 12-11) taking on Waco Harmony School of Innovation (0-11, 0-14).
Photos by DAVID HARDING
