Bassett's heroics spark Kings

By Ted Schultz
Herald Sports Editor

December 06, 2006 10:49 am

— CEDAR RAPIDS — Tony Bassett made plenty of big plays during the football season on his way to earning first-team all-state honors and being named the Clinton Herald’s area player of the year.
On Tuesday, the Clinton High senior came through with yet another big play — only this time on the basketball court.
Bassett took an inbounds pass under his own bucket with 6.3 seconds left, went the length of the court and scored on a short lean-in shot to give the River Kings a 52-51 victory over Cedar Rapids Jefferson.
The win pushed the River Kings to 3-0 on the season, while Jefferson lost in its first outing of the 2006-2007 campaign.
Prior to Bassett’s heroics, Jefferson had taken a 51-50 lead with just under 10 seconds left on a basket by Kevin Gaster.
“I got the ball, looked down and saw an opening,” said Bassett. “I knew it was going to be our last shot so I went down and took it.”
Bassett initially didn’t think he’d take the final shot.
“I was surprised I had an open lane,” he said. “They had a couple of guys on Mark (Misiewicz), so that helped free me up, though.”
Does making the game-winning shot compare to any of his football feats?
“It kind of compares to the big (touchdown) run I had against Davenport Central,” he said.
Clinton assistant coach Mike Glover filled in for head coach Dave Shovlain, who stayed home with illness.
“The kids competed very hard,” said Glover. “I think they really wanted to win for Dave. That was in the back of their minds.”
Glover cited his team for playing well on the road.
“We’ve been to Jefferson so many times and they always play us tough,” he explained. “In fact, we’ve been blown out there a few times. When they came back on us after we’d built the nice lead, it would have been easy to fold the tent. But the kids refused to give up.”
Mark Misiewicz did most of Clinton’s work early, scoring the team’s first 13 points. He finished with 23 points and eight rebounds.
“Mark didn’t get as many shots in the second half, but other people stepped up,” said Glover. “We’re going to need that if we’re going to be successful this year.”
Clinton trailed 11-7 after one period and was still down in the second frame before a 15-2 run over the last 4:23 of the half gave Clinton a 30-21 halftime lead.
Clinton’s biggest lead was 12 points when Tom Baughman’s putback bucket made it 37-25 with 6 minutes left in the third period.
But then it was Jefferson’s turn, as the hosts went on a 12-2 run to make it 39-37 late in the period. The contest was tight the rest of the way.
Bassett joined Misiewicz in double figures for Clinton with 15 points.
Jefferson was paced by Al Klees, who scored 18 points.
Clinton hits the road again Friday with a girl-boy doubleheader at Pleasant Valley. The boys game will begin at approximately 7:30 p.m. following the girls contest.
Score by Quarters
Clinton 7 23 11 11 —52
Jefferson 11 10 16 14 —51
Scoring
CLINTON (52)
David Lakin 3-5 0-0 7, Kurtis Brondyke 1-4 0-2 2, Mark Misiewicz 8-19 3-5 23, Taylor Swanson 0-1 0-1 0, Tom Baughman 2-3 1-2 5, Tony Bassett 5-11 3-5 15, Jordan Whalen 0-1 0-0 0, Michael Voss 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 19-45 7-15 52.
JEFFERSON (51)
Terrell Burrell 5-11 1-2 12, Anthony Trosky 1-9 3-6 5, Ryan Bennett 4-8 0-3 8, Al Klees 7-8 4-6 18, Kevin Gastner 3-10 2-2 8, Jordan Ask 0-1 0-0 0, Justin Derby 0-0 0-0 0, Harrison Gerber 0-0 0-0 0, Ryan Shubatt 0-0 0-0 0, Spencer Stater 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 20-46 10-19 51.
3-point goals—Clinton 5 (Lakin, Misiewicz 2, Bassett 2); Jefferson 1 (McBride 1). Rebounds—Clinton 31 (Baughman 9); Jefferson 26 (McBride 6, Bennett 6). Turnovers—Clinton 18, Jefferson 14. Total fouls—Clinton 14, Jeferson 20. Fouled out—Clinton (Brondyke). Technical fouls—Clinton 2 (Brondyke 2).
Records—Clinton 3-0, Jefferson 0-1. Next game—Clinton at Pleasant Valley, 7:30 p.m. Friday.