By BAKER ELLIS / Sports Editor

PINSON – The Thompson basketball Warriors continued their early season success with a win at Clay-Chalkville High School on Nov. 19 to move to 3-0 on the season thanks to a big fourth-quarter effort from big man Michael Freeman. After winning its first two games by an average of 20 points, Thompson had to fight for this victory, and won by a final of 52-48.

The Warriors came out of the gate hot, as they have done all season, jumping out to a 15-8 lead at the end of the first quarter. Clay-Chalkville made a run in the second quarter, outscoring Thompson 13-7, and the Warriors took a slim 23-22 lead into the break.

No team scored more than 20 points in any quarter in this low-scoring affair until the Warriors hit 21 in the fourth behind Freeman’s 13 fourth-quarter points. Heading into the fourth quarter, the Cougars held a 32-29 lead, as Thompson had only managed 14 total points combined in the second and third quarters. Freeman made his presence felt in the fourth however, and helped keep the Warriors perfect at 3-0 with the 52-48 win.

Freeman led the way for Thompson with 18 points and five boards, while Drew Thomas chipped in for 10 points and five rebounds as well. Ahkari Thompson led Clay-Chalkville with 16.

Thompson will now turn its attention to the Spartan Thanksgiving Classic, which will run from Nov. 21-24.