Buono, Smith  
    McClintock    
    Champions!

Basha High competed in the 24 team McClintock Invitational on Dec. 18-19 and brought home six medalists including two Champions.  Dominic Buono pinned all four of his opponents in the first period to claim the championship at 119 pounds.  Dominic improves to 12-1 on the season. 
                   
            Dominic Pins Red Mountain in the Finals

Jake Smith captured his second McClintock championship in a row with an overtime victory over Ukaku from Red Mountain.

                            By Michael Samtur, For the Tribune
Poehls and Kidd’s classic battle followed possibly the best match of the night as Basha’s Jake Smith outlasted Red Mountain’s Kalu Ukaku in double overtime in the final at 215.

Smith, who won this tournament and finished third in the state at 189 last year, trailed Ukaku 1-0 with less than 45 seconds remaining, but he escaped a hold to tie the score and send it into overtime. After the two fought to a standstill in the first overtime, an exhausted Smith escaped an even more exhausted Ukaku with just 15 seconds left in the second extra period to win 3-2.

“This was one of the best (matches) I’ve ever been in,” said Smith. “The crowd saved me. I just kept saying to myself 'Heart is going to win over strength.’”

                     
                             Jake Smith vs. Red Mountain in the finals.

Also placing for the Bears were Zack Ellis 6th at 125, Trey Ronayne 6th at 160, Conner Jensen 5th at 171, and Dhane Cumberledge 3rd at Heavyweight.  Basha finished in 4th place as a team. 


McClintock Placers L to R:  Trey Ronayne, Zack Ellis, Dominic Buono, Jake Smith, Dhane Cumberledge, Conner Jensen.