Olpe boys hold off late run by Clifton-Clyde to advance to 1A-Division I Semifinals

The Olpe boys basketball team is moving on in the Class 1A-Division I State Tournament after surviving a late four quarter push by Clifton-Clyde on Wednesday,
Olpe survived a late fourth quarter push by Clifton Clyde, winning 58-50.
Olpe, playing in their 16th all time state tournament, trailed Clifton Clyde at the end of the first quarter. Olpe switched from a man to man defense to a zone, which Clifton Clyde was unable to shoot the Eagles out of.
Olpe’s well balanced attack allowed for them to outscore Clifton Clyde 12-5 in the second quarter, taking a lead that they would not relinquish.
Abott Bailey buried three 3 pointers in the third quarter that saw Olpe grow their lead to 11.
Clifton Clyde continued to struggle from beyond the arch, but Jack Skocny continued to attack inside. Skocny scored 11 of his game high 29 points in the final frame. Clifton Clyde was able to reduce Olpe’s lead to 3 with 3 minutes to play but Olpe’s Brecken McGuire and Blake Skalsky would go 9/13 down the stretch to seal the victory.
Skalsky led Olpe with 19, Clifton Clyde finished 2/18 from 3.
Olpe’s head coach Chris Schmidt was pleased with how his team withstood the late game run by Clifton Clyde.

South- Gray, the number one seed in the tournament, awaits Olpe. This will be the third matchup in four years between the two programs at the state tournament. Olpe lost to South Gray 80-77 in last year’s third place game.
You can listen to the game on Friday at 2pm on Country 101.7 FM