Clay Middle School’s boys’ basketball team delivered a night to remember, capping off 8th Grade Night with a thrilling 43–42 overtime victory that came down to the final heartbeat.
Before tipoff, Clay honored its eighth graders — Izyck Bishop, Gunner Dobbins, Mason Hall, Levi Hughes, Ryder McMillion, and Trenton Parker — and the game that followed proved a fitting tribute to their time on the court.
The contest was tight from the start. Clay edged ahead of Walton Middle School at halftime with a slim 14–13 lead and carried momentum into the third quarter, extending the advantage to 26–18 by the end of the period. The Walton tigers battled back in the fourth, however, forcing a 34–34 tie at the end of regulation and sending the game into a three-minute overtime.
Overtime was pure drama. After McMillion calmly knocked down two free throws, Clay still found itself down 42–40 with eight seconds remaining, setting up a final inbound from its own side of midcourt. What followed was a perfectly executed sequence: McMillion inbound the ball to Parker, who quickly found Dobbins. Dobbins then dished to Brayden Odell. Standing three feet behind the three-point line, Odell launched the final shot with 1.6 seconds remaining. As the buzzer sounded, the ball dropped cleanly through the hoop, sealing a stunning 43–42 win for Clay and sending the home crowd into celebration.
The dramatic finish was a reflection of the work Clay has done under head coach Jeffrey Krauklis, whose preparation and leadership have helped the team continue to grow and compete in close games throughout the season.
McMillion led all scorers with 18 points, while Parker added 10, Dobbins scored 8, and Odell finished with 7, including the unforgettable game-winner. McMillion and Hall led the team on the boards, controlling rebounds at both ends of the floor. Parker and Dobbins were anchors on the defensive end, applying constant pressure and delivering key stops down the stretch, with Dobbins also leading the team in assists. Bishop provided relentless effort and tough defense throughout the night, playing a key role in the win.
In the junior varsity contest prior to the varsity matchup, Clay picked up a hard-fought 14–12 overtime victory. River Schoolcraft and Ryder James led the scoring for Clay, while Ahxton Hallick and Kayson Fugate turned in standout defensive performances, helping limit Walton’s scoring and secure the win.
Following the two exciting victories, Clay now turns its attention to the week ahead, with games scheduled against Webster and Richwood. If 8th Grade Night was any indication, fans are in for more excitement as the season continues.
