Basketball: Boys Drop Contests To Venango Catholic and Redbank Valley (01/30/15)

The Clarion Area Varsity Boys Dropped two games earlier this week, falling at home to Venango Catholic 78-32 and at Redbank Valley 60-33.

The young Bobcat Team looked strong against the Vikings, leading16-9, after one and 33-29, at the half. VC held a 52-46 lead at the end of three periods. Clarion did well against VC, but 6’11” Devon Zagar was just too much inside. He finished the game with 31 points.

(Photo by Brian Burford) Ty Burford hauling in a rebound

The Bobcats had two players in double figures, Taylor Smith with 19, including 5 three-pointers and Ceventh Lynch-Skunda, with 16, including a three-pointer.

Derek Lauer had 7 points, Christian Smith had 6 points, on 2 three-pointers. Cam Craig and Reed Anthony each had five points. Anthony had a three-pointer. Ty Burford and Thomas Plummer each had two points in the game.

Coach Smith had this to say about his team’s performance against the Vikings, “It was another outstanding effort against a top tier team in our league. We were up 4 at halftime and down 5 at the end of the third quarter.

“Things got away from us in the fourth quarter, but a lot of that had to do with their 6’11” center. He was a tough match up for us and finished with 31 points.

“Thomas Plummer was in foul trouble most of the night and I thought Ty Burford battled in there and gave a great effort on him tonight.

“Our guys gave everything they had tonight and I told them that’s all I can ask. We are getting better every game. We are gaining valuable experience and it will pay off in the future.”

In the Redbank Valley game, the Cats trailed by only two, 11-9, after one. RBV led 31-14, at halftime and 47-20, after three.

Taylor Smith led the Bobcats with eleven points. Plummer had 8 and Lauer scored four points. Lynch-Skunda and Ryan Anthony each scored 2 points, Anthony’s coming on a three-pointer. Craig, Lauer and Christian Smith  each had two points.

Jake Dougherty scored 21 and Devin Shumaker had fifteen for the Bulldogs.

The Bobcats are scheduled to travel to Cranberry, tonight (Friday, January 30th).

(Thanks to Brian Burford for the photo.)