WEB CAST.
For the second time this season, Clayton built a big lead over Garner only to see the Trojans storm back to take the lead for good with 5:28 to play en route to a 70-61 win at Jerry Smith Court on Tuesday night.
Clayton (12-4, 5-3) used an quick tempo offense and built a eight point, 22-14 advantage after the first quarter. Comet Freshman, Gary Clark was a game time decision, but came out blazing with six quick points. Clayton used Clark's efforts and a big four point play by Antonio Pickett early in the quarter which led them to the advantage.
Garner (14-0, 7-0) fell even deeper as Clayton built a 14 point lead before the Trojans came storming back. Donald Johnson found his shot and hit a pair of three pointers in the second quarter along with four first half points from Josh McClain, Cameron Redd and Dominique Reed, which pulled Garner to within six at 36-30 going to the half.
Johnson put the team on his back in the second half as he carried the Trojans with 10 of his game high 21 points in the third quarter to bring Garner all the way back to take their first lead with just over five minutes left in the third, and heading to the fourth, Garner was leading by two at 53-51.
Gavin Wilson was strapped with two early fouls and didn't play for a majority of the first half, however, he hit some big shots down the stretch leading Garner with seven fourth quarter points, including a couple of steals and fast break layups. Those shots by the junior, coupled with the guard play of Emanuel McClain helped Garner pull away in the fourth quarter as they defeated Clayton for the fifth consecutive time with a 70-61 victory.
Garner will return home on Friday night when they host the Knightdale Knights at 7:30.
Varsity Girls fall to Clayton
Clayton used the free throw line to their advantage in the first half, take a double-digit lead into the second quarter and the Lady Trojans had no answer for the full court press as Clayton pulled away in the second half to win 49-32.
The Lady Trojans are back in action on Friday when they host Knightdale at 6:00
JV Girls Roll
Coach Ellerbee and the Lady Trojans had no problem with the Comets as the eased their way to a 57-17 win over the JV Lady Comets.
Garner is back in action on Thursday when they travel to Knightdale at 6:00
JV Boys Roll past Clayon
The JV Boys did their part on Tuesday night as they made short work of the Comets as they blasted the Comets 72-39.
Garner is back in action on Thursday when they travel to Knightdale at 7:30.
Second half rally keeps Garner perfect
