Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — A circus shot seemed to be a fitting end to a game played in a circus atmosphere.

Catching the ball and twisting as he caught it, Keith Clemons turned and banked in a 3-pointer at the buzzer from straight away as the St. Joseph Fighting Irish beat the South Point Pointers 75-73 in overtime Monday.

“It was as great a high school game as I’ve been involved in. The crowd was loud and it was a great atmosphere,” said Pointers’ coach Chris Barnes.

“I was proud of our effort. When we needed a 3, we got it. When we needed a 2, we got. But give them credit. They hit some big shots. It was a great game.”

Brandon Barnes hit 11-of-18 shots as he scored 24 points to lead South Point (2-4).

Eli Ketron scored 16 and Marquise Foley 15 for the Pointers who haven’t played since Dec. 17.

“We had some rust. We haven’t played in 13 days. But we had our chances to win the game,” said Barnes.

Clemons had a game-high 36 points to pace the unbeaten Irish (8-0). Payne Meadows scored 20 points.

The Irish led 14-11 after the first quarter. Foley scored 11 points in the second quarter but St. Joseph managed to go up 35-31 at the half.

Brandon Barnes scored 8 points in the third quarter as the Pointers rallied to tie the game at 50.

Barnes scored 7 points in the fourth quarter and John Johnson hit a 3-pointer at the end of regulation to send the game into overtime.

South Point 11 20 19 16 7 = 73

Hunt. St. Joe 14 21 15 16 9 = 75

SOUTH POINT (2-4): John Johnson 0 1 5-6 8, Jeremiah Kipp 0 0 0-0 0, Stephen Wagoner 0 0 0-0 0, Audric Harlow 1 1 1-1 6, Brandon Barnes 9 2 0-2 24, Marquise Foley 5 1 2-2 15, Eli Ketron 5 0 6-6 16, Brady Rickard 1 0 0-0 2, Brandon Boggs 1 0 0-0 2. Totals: 22 5 14-17 73. Fouls: 20. Fouled out: None. Turnovers: 9.

HUNTINGTON ST. JOSEPH (8-0): Ian Clarke 2 0 2-2 6, Keith Clemons 7 3 13-17 36, Payne Meadows 6 1 5-7 20, Brian Conaty 2 1 0-0 7, Anthony Rabel 1 0 1-1 3, Travis McNeil 0 0 0-1 0, Jacob Pierson 1 0 1-1 3. Totals: 19 5 22-29 75. Fouls: 16. Fouled out: None. Turnovers: 8.