Karns makes 14 three-point shots in win over Clinton, advances to play Central

 

Note: This story was last updated at 12:25 a.m.

CLINTON—Karns made 14 three-point shots and sophomore K.J. Hawkins scored 21 points in a 70-58 win over Clinton in the District 3-AAA tournament on Friday. Hawkins made five of the three-pointers for the Beavers.

Karns (19-6) hit eight three-point shots in the first half alone, compared to two for Clinton. The Beavers added six more in the second half.

Karns moves on to play Central (20-9) in a District 3-AAA semifinal game at Anderson County High School at 6 p.m. Saturday. The Beavers also secured a spot in the Region 2 tournament with their win over Clinton on Friday.

Besides Hawkins, Karns had three other players in double digits. Senior Devin Harper and Cartez Campbell both scored 14, and junior guard Taylor Everett added 11.

Clinton (15-14) was led by the 18 points of Quincey McGhee. Senior Tyler Thackerson scored 10.

The game was close early on, with the Dragons leading for most of the first quarter before Karns tied it 18-18 at the end of the first quarter. Karns pressured Clinton early in the second quarter and took its first lead before going into halftime ahead by three points, 33-30.

Thackerson tied the game at 36 on a layup between three defenders less than three minutes into the third quarter. He gave the Dragons a two-point lead on Clinton’s next possession, tipping in a shot that Daraon Jones missed.

But Harper quickly regained a one-point lead for the Beavers, 39-38, and Karns never trailed again.

In the other semifinal game Saturday, Oak Ridge (29-2) will play Powell (20-9) at 7:30 p.m. The winners of the two semifinal games will play in a District 3-AAA championship game at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. The losers will play in a consolation game at 7:30 p.m. Monday.

More information will be added as it becomes available.

 

 

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