Blue Ridge Boys Basketball Wins Home Opener over Clinton

Updated November 30 at 12:25 p.m.

FARMER CITY, Ill. -- A few days after his 32-point performance in the Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley Thanksgiving Tournament, Michael Plunk picked up where he left off on his home floor.

He scored 21 points to lead Blue Ridge to a 59-42 win over Clinton.

As a team, the Knights had success on the offensive and defensive end. On the offensive end, Blue Ridge shot 23-of-43, a 53.5% field-goal percentage.

On the defensive end, the Knights held the Maroons to 14-of-50 shooting, a 28% field-goal percentage. After allowing 30 points in the first half, Blue Ridge yielded 12 points to Clinton in the second, including three in the third quarter.

Travys Nichols and Jon Jones each finished the game with double-digit points. Nichols had 11 points while Jones had 10 points.

Clint O'Neal and Josh Plunk finished with six points while Mark Plunk, returning from an injury that kept him out of the GCMS Thanksgiving Tournament, scored five points and recorded three assists.

O'Neal also led the Knights with eight rebounds.

For the Maroons, Matt Chandler was the leading scorer with eight points. Mitch Creager and Greg Osgood each contributed seven points.

Blue Ridge (2-3) will travel to Tremont on Friday for its Heart of Illinois Conference opener against the Turks.

Meanwhile, the junior varsity team picked up a victory, beating Clinton 53-43.

Blue Ridge 59, Clinton 42

Clinton (42)

Matt Chandler 2 4-4 8, Mitch Creager 3 0-1 7, Greg Osgood 2 2-2 7, Dylan Scott 2 1-2 5, Kaleb Shepherd 1 2-2 5, Jacob Rockhold 2 0-0 4, Marshall Sprague 1 1-2 4, Nick Thompson 1 0-0 2, Austin Devore 0 0-0 0, Jerrod Hurst 0 0-0 0. Totals 14 10-15 42

Blue Ridge (59)

Michael Plunk 6 5-6 21, Travys Nichols 5 1-3 11, Jon Jones 4 0-0 10, Clint O'Neal 3 0-0 6, Josh Plunk 3 0-0 6, Mark Plunk 2 1-2 5, Johnney Bruden 0 0-0 0, C.J. Bishop 0 0-0 0, Dylan Grammer 0 0-0 0, Trenor Hildreth 0 0-0 0, Matt White 0 0-0 0, Will Duggins 0 0-0 0, Daniel Gilbert 0 0-0 0. Totals 23 7-11 59

Clinton    11    19    3    9    -- 42

Blue Ridge    15    28    5    11    -- 59

3-pointers -- Clinton 4 (Chandler, Osgood, Shepherd, Sprague). Blue Ridge 6 (Mi. Plunk 4, Jones 2).

For Clinton, Rockhold had 6 rebounds. Chandler had 5 rebounds. Creager had 2 steals. Team was 14-of-50 shooting.

For Blue Ridge, O'Neal had 8 rebounds. Ma. Plunk had 3 assists. Team was 23-of-43 shooting.