Northside loses 67-22 to Clay on tournament’s final day

Northside’s Dustin Brown puts up a shot in the lane in the Eagles’ 67-22 loss to Clay on the final day of the Lake Area McDonald’s-Kiwanis of Starke Christmas Basketball Tournament. Photo by Cliff Smelley.

Telegraph Staff Writer

Other than Dustin Brown, the Northside Christian boys team found little success against Clay, losing 67-22 to wrap up play in the three-day Lake Area McDonald’s-Kiwanis of Starke Christmas Basketball Tournament on Dec. 18.

The Eagles (4-7), venturing outside the Southeastern Christian Conference, went 0-3 in the tournament, which is held annually at Bradford High School. Clay (4-3) went 2-1.

Brown, who finished with 17 points, made a three-pointer following a turnover to make it a 4-3 game in favor of Clay early, but the Blue Devils scored 13 of the next 17 points to take a 17-7 lead into the second quarter.

Clay scored the first 14 points of the second quarter, with 10 of those coming off turnovers.

Brown stopped the run with a basket — the first of three he had in the quarter. Caleb Talton scored on a drive into the lane to end the half, but the Eagles were trailing 45-13.

Talton finished with the two points.

Caden Talton scored all three of his points on a successful drive to the basket and ensuing free throw as he was fouled in the process.

Besides leading the Eagles in scoring, Brown grabbed a team-high seven rebounds.

Northside will return to action on Tuesday, Jan. 4, hosting Lake City’s Hart 2 Hart at 5:30 p.m. The Eagles travel to High Springs to play First Christian on Thursday, Jan. 6, at 6:30 p.m. before returning home to play Ocala’s First Assembly Christian on Monday, Jan. 10, at 5:30 p.m.

On Tuesday, Jan. 11, Northside travels to play Gainesville Christian Community at 7 p.m.

Wyatt Harden (center) gets fouled on a drive to the basket. Photo by Cliff Smelley.
Caden Talton (far left) looks for a teammate to pass to. Photo by Cliff Smelley.
Dustin Brown (right) takes a shot over Clay’s Martez Martin. Photo by Cliff Smelley.
Noah Liston (right) gets the ball punched away by Clay’s Patrick Franklin on a drive to the basket. Photo by Cliff Smelley.
Caden Talton (far left) dribbles along the baseline. Photo by Cliff Smelley.
Wyatt Harden (right) dribbles around Clay’s Kade Doiron. Photo by Cliff Smelley.
Waylen Kahakua (right) handles the ball, while being guarded by Clay’s Ben Thomas. Photo by Cliff Smelley.
Dustin Brown makes his move to the basket. Photo by Cliff Smelley.
Caden Talton (left), guarded by Clay’s Zach Bybee, pulls up for a shot. Photo by Cliff Smelley.