C1D1: Reindeer are ‘go, go, go’ to another sectional after winning district thriller

GIDEON, Missouri — The boys from Clarkton did it again.

The Reindeer boys basketball team got a putback offensive rebound by sophomore Alex Juarez following his own miss to give Clarkton a 48-46 Class 1 District 1 title game win over No. 1 seed Delta C-7 Friday night in Gideon.

The Reindeer (16-12) won their second consecutive district crown for the first time ever and advance to 6 p.m. Monday’s sectional against Richland (14-13) at Liberty (Mountain View) High School.

The last time Clarkton won a sectional came in 2003 when they lost to eventual state champion Verona in the quarterfinals. Last year, Leopold knocked off the Reindeer in the Sweet 16.

“Delta is probably the best rebounding team we’ve played this year — especially in Class 1,” Clarkton head coach Cole Alex McBroom said. “We needed to limit their second-chance points by being in rebounding position. We were the more physical team and they had people foul out.

“We have really done a good job of coming together as a team. I am very proud of the kids — they have really grown together. Every night our jump shot doesn’t always get on the bus, but our ability to play hard has. I am super proud of how they’ve bought into guarding and they have played so hard.”

Clayton Godsey led Clarkton with 15 points, Owen Morgan added 10 points and Brian Redden chipped in with eight points.

Clarkton held Delta leading scorer CJ Wallace, who McBroom said was averaging 25-26 ppg, to eight points in the biggest game of the year so far.

Juarez averages about 8-10 minutes per game according to McBroom and came up big to finish the deal for the Reindeer.

“It was probably at the free throw line where he chased it down and put it in,” McBroom said. “He stayed ready and focused and whenever his number was called, he stepped up and made shots. He steps up whenever he gets time.”