6th Grade Cagers Win Monday Night League Opener (01/14/14)

(By Kenn Staub)

On January 13th the Monday Night Basketball League opened its 2014 season with the 6th Grade Clarion Bobcats facing North Clarion in the second game of a tripleheader. Clarion jumped out to a 12-7 halftime lead, paced by Nate Datko’s 8 points. Datko continued to have a scoring touch during the second half, dropping in a team high 6 as the Bobcats held off a surging North Clarion squad to prevail 27-17.

(Photos by Kenn Staub) Nate Datko shoots for two

(Photos by Kenn Staub)
Nate Datko shoots for two

Datko led all Clarion players with 14 points, followed by Tyler Schmader with 4. Josh Craig contributed 3 points on a shot from beyond the arch and Nick Frederick, Ben Murtha, and Lake Staub each connected for 2. Billy Huffman and Skylar Rhoades made key contributions on both ends of the floor in the Bobcats’ victory.

Matson Higgins was high scorer for North Clarion, compiling 6 points.
Bobcats’ Coach Keith Murtha was pleased with how the boys played as a team against North Clarion. He further believes “this program [Monday Night Basketball League], with the amount of practice and games the boys get together, will greatly enhance their development into junior high and beyond.” Coach Murtha also thanked Coach Jason Craig for all his organizational work with the team and in coordinating the league.

The Bobcat players listen to Coach Murtha's instructions during a time out

The Bobcat players listen to Coach Murtha’s instructions during a time out

The Monday Night Basketball League, in its second year of play, features 6th grade teams from a number of invited area schools, including Brookville, Clarion, Clarion-Limestone, Karns City, Keystone, and North Clarion. Each team has a schedule of five games, all played at Joe’s Gym in Clarion, through February 17th. Games are comprised of two 15 minute quarters with coaches from non-involved teams serving as referees.

(Thanks To Kenn Staub for this article.)