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St. Clairsville Downs Barnesville

BARNESVILLE –Sometimes it simply comes down to effort.

St. Clairsville learned that Friday night.

After acting head coach Ryan Clifford, who was filling in for his father, Kim, who was tending to a family matter, delivered a stern speech between the first and second quarters, the Red Devils turned it up a notch.

And that notch was more than homestanding Barnesville could handle as St. C. proceeded to outscore the Shamrocks, by 21 points in the final three quarters en route to a 85-70 victory in front of a large crowd in the ‘Greenhouse’ as part of the consolation bracket of the Wheeling Hospital OVAC Boys Basketball Championship.

“There’s a play that sticks out in my mind, in the first quarter, where they had four guys on the floor (for a loose ball) and we didn’t have, so they came out with all kinds of energy,” Clifford said. “We didn’t have any energy early, so that was our talk between quarters. You can handle it when you’re missing shots, but not when you’re getting beat because of effort.”

That message was all that was needed. St. Clairsville picked it up on both ends. Couple the increased energy with the ability to convert Barnesville turnovers into points was also crucial to the Devils’ success. During the second quarter, which really proved to be the difference in the game, St. C. converted numerous turnovers — from its pressure — into easy scoring opportunities.

Fueling the St. Clairsville spurt in the second was senior Kaden Blomquist. He found himself all alone numerous times in close and converted for 11 of his 18 in that stretch. Matthew Busby, who also scored 18 points in the game, added eight in the second.

Jayden Starks and Justin Heatherington, both of whom were saddled with some foul trouble in the first half, got going in the third to keep the Shamrocks at bay.

The Devils (12-9) then hung a 30-spot on the board in the fourth with Busby, netting 10 in the period.

The Shamrocks actually got within seven at a juncture in the early stages of the fourth, but St. C. responded with a 12-4 run to stretch the margin back out.

One of the things Clifford was most pleased with was the balance in the scoring column his team produced. Along with Busby and Blomquist’s production, Heatherington added 14, junior Craig Bober was solid in scoring 12 and Starks finished with 10.

The Shamrocks had five players in twin figures. Tate Dowler led the charge with 19, while talented sophomore Luke Powell added 16. Aaron Marovich contributed 15. Jared Kernen and Ayden Hannahs evenly divided 20.

Both teams close out the regular season next week before entering sectional play. Barnesville is hosting Conotton Valley on Thursday, while St. C. visits Indian Creek on Tuesday.

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