By MONTE DUTTON

Clinton’s 56-49 victory over Saluda in the second round of the Class 2A boys’ basketball playoffs was animated. It was hard-fought. At times the opposing players did not like each, and the refs handled some ire. Nothing out of hand. A push here. A glare there. Arms spread wide: Have you lost your mind? Each squad was assessed a technical foul

“I wish we could have controlled our emotions better,” Clinton head coach Dontavius Glenn said.

It was the playoffs. Go or go home (or stay home).

The Red Devils and Tigers mainly behaved, shook hands afterward, and the victor, Clinton, turned its attention immediately to American Leadership Academy (19-8), whose Patriots slipped past Chesnee, 57-53. The Red Devils visit ALA’s Lexington home on Monday evening in round three. On Saturday morning, maxpreps.com had the game time listed at 7 p.m.

From the opening tap, the teams played as if for God and country. Up and down they sprinted, contesting all the space. The Red Devils dominated the boards, collectively grabbing 37 to the Tigers’ 24. Saluda (16-8) committed seven turnovers in the first quarter, when it led by three, and none in the second, after which it trailed by three.

Of rebounding, Glenn said, “That was the focus. The last time we played them, they outrebounded us and got a bunch of second shots.”

Here’s the kicker. In the final 1:28, Clinton missed five of its six free-throw tries, thus extending its lead from six to seven.

Saluda’s C.J. Springs scored 24 of its 49 points. Even he missed 6/12 foul shots. The Tigers’ free-throw percentage was .500 (12/24); the Devils, .519 (14/27). From the floor, Saluda shot .386 (17/44), and Clinton was good at a .396 (19/48) clip.

The outcome was decided by effort, not precision. The teams combined for 39 turnovers, 20 by Saluda.

Clinton (19-8) matched Springs with balance. Nyterian Smith led the way with 17 points, followed by P.J. McGowan with 16 and Owen Glenn with 13.

Other Red Devils to tally were C.J. Jones (5), Khyron Butler (4) and J’shon Nabors (1).

Clinton led most of the way, but Saluda kept the mirror full. The crowd howled, and most of it went home happy.

The Red Devils, who won their 15^th game in a row, edged Saluda, 53-52, earlier in the season. Next is something quite different.

“Defense has to travel,” Glenn said.

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