Clare boys win big at Ithaca with Smith, Alexander leading the way

By BEN MURPHY

Cleaver Sports Writer

The Clare boys’ basketball team opened the new year with a lopsided win over Ithaca on Tuesday, Jan. 6. The Pioneers were playing on the Yellowjackets home court and came away with a 54-31 non-league victory.

The opening quarter saw Parker Smith, Dane Alexander and Micah MacDonald all hit three pointers. Brendan Burton had three points in the quarter as well, hitting one field-goal and splitting a pair of free throws and Clare was in front, 14-12 after one.

Smith had a really big second quarter, hitting one three as part of his 12 points. Truett Powell added four points in the frame and they led 30-22 at the half. Alexander had the hot hand in the third quarter, as he poured in 14 points in the frame, knocking down four threes in the process, helping give Clare a 48-28 lead entering the fourth.

Alexander netted nine more points in the final frame, finishing with five three pointers and 28 points. Smith added 10 more points in the fourth and he finished with five threes and 25 points on the night, with Burton finishing with seven points on the night, MacDonald netted six, Powell scored four, Jacob Halicek chipped in with two points an adding one point was Blake Sian.

Clare also won a road Jack Pine Conference game at Bullock Creek on Thursday, Jan. 8, with a score of 56-54.

The opening frame had Smith hit a three pointer as part of his five points, as things were tied up at 9-9 after one. In the second, Smith knocked down three shots from behind the long line and Alexander added five more points, and Clare was in front 25-22 at the half.

In the third it was Alexander with 13 points and Smith scoring four, and Clare was in front 42-36 entering the fourth. In a high-scoring fourth quarter, Bullock Creek made things interesting, but the Pioneers were able to hang on.

Alexander had seven more points in the final frame, including going three-of-four from the line and he finished with 27 points on the night. Smith hit a key three pointer in the fourth and was three-of-four from the line as well, and had 24 points on the night. Donovan Hoogerhyde finished with three points while Burton added two points.

Clare (5-2 overall, 3-1 Jack Pine) was at home against Beaverton on Tuesday, they’ll host Gladwin today (Thursday) and on Wednesday they’ll be at home to take on Shepherd.