Clover boys' basketball team defeats Rock Hill

Clover 64; Rock Hill 44

By Karl Lyles - The Herald

CLOVER -- Don't think for a minute that Clover's boys' basketball team had forgotten about a seven-point loss at Rock Hill earlier this season.

The Blue Eagles tuned up for the start of the region schedule with a solid 64-44 win over the Bearcats on Wednesday night.

Clover took it to Rock Hill, the only team responsible for the one mark in their loss column in the first 12 games. Clover (11-1) will host Fort Mill on Friday to begin Region 3-AAAA play.

The Blue Eagles used a 12-0 run in the third quarter to break open the game and avenge the 47-40 setback at Rock Hill.

"We are Clover's only blemish. We just couldn't match their energy," Rock Hill coach Bobby Stevens said.

The Blue Eagles led by 21 points at the end of three quarters, thanks largely to strong shooting from 3-point territory. Clover made 41 percent (9-22) of its shots from behind the arc.

The long balls came from all areas of the floor and from six different players. Alexander Wiley led the way with a trio of 3's and 22 points. Chris Lindsay and Cody Bauer had two treys apiece. Lindsay finished with 7 points and Bauer had 8.

Rock Hill (5-6) scored the first four points of the game as Clover took a while to get settled in offensively. Once Clover found the range, they were lights-out. The Blue Eagles scored the final 14 points of the first quarter.

Wiley got things started with a steal and a layup. He followed that with his first 3-pointer of the night. R.J. Phillips scored on an offensive rebound, then Bauer, just a freshman, hit the first of his bombs. Wiley closed out the run with a baseline jumper.

Phillips did a little of everything for the Blue Eagles in a wild second quarter. He scored from 5 feet, then buried back-to-back 17-footers. He accounted for 8 points in the second quarter and finished with 14 points.

Wiley hit back-to-back threes in the 12-0, third-quarter spurt that gave Clover a 51-29 edge.

"Wiley came to play," Clover coach Dudley Lybrand said. "We didn't play well at Rock Hill. The kids had an incentive to come out and play well. They aren't selfish; they play together."

Clover committed just six turnovers in the game. The Blue Eagles were sharp with their passes and deadly on their jumpers.

With a comfortable lead, Lybrand took the air out of the ball with about five minutes left in the game. Clover attempted just two 3-pointers in final quarter.

"It's a different season starting Friday. Now, it really counts. The kids are looking forward to (playing Fort Mill)," Lybrand said.

Rock Hill will open Region 4-AAAA action Friday at Ridge View.