Mount Clemens

Mount Clemens upends Warren Lincoln in MAC Gold battle

By Jason Carmel Davis
C & G Sports Writer

» click to enlarge « Photo by Roy Feldman Mount Clemens High sophomore guard Josh McFolley (30) sank seven of eight free throws late in the fourth quarter to seal a 78-72 win for the Bathers over Warren Lincoln Jan. 15 at Mount Clemens. Photo by Roy Feldman Mount Clemens High sophomore guard Josh McFolley (30) sank seven of eight free throws late in the fourth quarter to seal a 78-72 win for the Bathers over Warren Lincoln Jan. 15 at Mount Clemens.

MOUNT CLEMENS — The Mount Clemens High boys basketball team showed its poise in knocking down several cruicial free throws in the Bathers' 78-72 win over Warren Lincoln Jan. 15 at Mount Clemens.

Sophomore guard Josh McFolley hit seven of eight from the line in the fourth quarter on his way to 18 points, including 12 in the final stanza.

Mount Clemens coach Jermaine Jackson called McFolley the Bathers' best free-throw shooter and added it was key for his team to execute from the stripe.

"Free throws are something that you're supposed to hit," said Jackson, whose team sat at 6-1, 2-1 in the Macomb Area Conference Gold Division after the win. "We need to hit those. We can't have free throws be our achilles heel in the playoffs."

The free throws told the story of the game, in which neither team held more than an eight-point advantage. A total of 42 fouls were called in the MAC Gold battle, which made it difficult for either team to get in a rhythm.

"(Mount Clemens) just executed better than we did tonight. They made plays down the stretch and we didn't," said Abes coach Jeff McGavin, whose team moves to 5-3, 1-1 in the MAC Gold following the loss. "You have to execute every night, and especially when you're playing a team like Mount Clemens, but my team fought all night."

The teams traded baskets throughout the contest, witnessed by the game's 16 lead changes — 10 of which came in the second half.

McFolley, junior Dorian Armstrong and senior Jeremy Landers each scored 18 for Mount Clemens. Junior guard Tarayle Cates chipped in with 12 for the Bathers.

Senior guard Brandon Hicks led Lincoln with 23, including four 3-pointers. Senior forward Dayshawn Hampton netted 18 for the Abes.

Mount Clemens recorded 15 steals, while Lincoln stripped the Bathers four times.

Mount Clemens was called for 20 fouls. The Abes were whistled for 22.

The Bathers next hit the court for a  Gold battle against Sterling Heights High at 7 p.m. Jan. 17 at home.

Lincoln looks to rebound from the loss when when it hosts Clawson High at 7 p.m. Jan. 17.

You can reach C & G Sports Writer Jason Carmel Davis at jdavis@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1107. Follow Jason Carmel on Twitter.