Lady Cats Conclude Fine Basketball Season With One-Point Loss In First Round Of State Tournament (03/08/15)

The Clarion Area Girls Basketball Team fell to Bishop Carroll by one point, 40-39 on Saturday (March 7th), at Tippin Gymnasium, in the First Round of the PIAA State Playoffs. And though the season ended earlier than they would have liked, the Lady Cats season lasted longer than many expected.

Maci launching a free throw

Having lost some key players to graduation from the 2013-14 team, most notably 1000 point scorer Kyla Miles and adjusting to playing under a new coach, the Lady Cats went through some growing pains during the regular season, finishing just above .500.

But they found a groove when the District Nine playoffs started, winning three consecutive games, before falling in the District Championship Game. Then facing a tough Bishop Carroll team, the Lady Cats could  easily have folded.

But no. Led by Maci Thornton, one of the finest athletes, male or female, Clarion Area has ever had, Clarion gave the Lady Huskies everything they could handle.

The Lady Cats trailed by two points, 12-10, after one. Thornton had 5 points, Gloria Kroh had 3 and Anna Reed had two in the opening stanza. Clarion scored only 6 points in the second period (two free throws and a field goal by Thornton and a free throw apiece by Reed and Maddy Weaver). But it was enough to take a four point, 16-12, lead into the locker room at halftime, as the Bobcats played great defense, holding the Huskies scoreless in the quarter.

Coach Baumcratz instructing his charges

Nicki Glenn opened the third quarter by sinking two free throws, to move the Clarion lead to 18-12. The Huskies tied the game, at just under six minutes, at 20-all. Then Thornton who scored two on two free throws earlier in the period, took the game on her back. She scored a three-point basket and followed with a ten-foot jumper. Bishop Carroll scored a field goal, making the score Clarion 25 – BC 20.

Thornton got the ball under the basket on an in bounds pass and in one motion took it to the hoop for two. she followed that by corralling a loose ball, going in and scoring on a turn-around jumper, giving Clarion a 29-22 lead. After a BC free throw, Thornton hit another jumper to end the third quarter scoring. The stanza ended with the Lady Cats leading 31-23. Thornton scored 13 of her game high 25 points in the period.

Gloria at the line

But the Lady Huskies scored the first eight points of the fourth, to cut the Clarion lead to 31-30. Kroh hit two three throws to move the Cats lead to  33-30. The Huskies strung together six straight points, to take a 36-33 lead. Thornton  hit another turn-around jumper to cut the BC lead to one, 36-35.

Three free throws by the Huskies moved their lead to 39-35. Glenn hit a shot with 18.3 seconds left making it a one point game again, at 39-38. Another BC free throw moved their lead to 40-38, but Thornton was fouled with 5.9 seconds left; she made the second shot to pull the team to within one again at 40-39.

The Cats got the ball back, once more. Reed gave a great effort, in shooting a long attempt, as the buzzer sounded, but it just wasn’t to be, as the Huskies came away with the win.

Anna advancing the ball

Kroh, who snagged a number of loose balls for the Cats, had five points in the game. Glenn had 4, Reed had 3 and Weaver had one.

CAT QUOTES:

Coach Ed Baumcratz shared some of the greatest quotes on his team’s season, its leader, its seniors etc. you will ever want to see:

“It was too bad someone had to lose and it ended up to be us on the short-end of the stick. I thought we had the game in hand when we were up 7 late, but BC hit 2 consecutive 3’s. That was the turning point of the game. BC rallied, but I loved how we responded back and kept fighting. It was such a fun game to coach and to be a part of.

“We came to play tonight. I loved the effort and productivity with the team compared to last week’s D9 title game showing. We left everything out on that court and none of the girls should have any regrets. I would rather be in the game and lose than not be in the game at all!

“Maci is going to go down as one of the best players to suit up in a Bobcat uniform. She ends her career with 1575 points (unofficially), behind Bobbi Simpson. I have never seen a girl play the way she does. Her desire to be great, her will to win and her humbleness to want her teammates to succeed is unprecedented. No one will ever replace Maci Thornton.

“It was very emotional after the game, there wasn’t a dry eye in the locker room, including myself. Tears of sadness soon turned into tears of joy and laughter on how a (#11 seed) 12-10 regular season team played for the District IX title and almost wins a state playoff game. Memories were made this season and the girls will never forget the 14′-15′ ‘Cats.

“I want to thank the entire Bobcat Nation for the support this season. It was a roller coaster ride with lots of highs and lows but everyone stayed on course. Thanks to the administration for the nod with the hiring, to the parents for allowing your daughter to participate in the sport, and to the booster club for the backing and support to continue to make this program great. Thank you to Devin and the number of student trainers we have had this season. Early on we had frequent flyer miles in the trainers room. And special thanks to Larry and his custodial staff for making sure we have one of the best facilities in Western Pennsylvania.

“To the underclassman, soon it will be time to go to work, open gyms will start in a month or two.

“Lastly, I say goodbye to four unbelievable seniors. Julie, Lauren, Maci, Nicki … thank you for being so accommodating and supportive. The underclassmen just witnessed the right way to be a leader and how to conduct themselves on and off the court. What great memories we will all have of you. You gave it your all for four years. I can’t wait to see what each one of you accomplishes in the years to come. Go get out there and make a positive impact on our world!”

(All in all, it was a superb season for Coach Baumcratz and his Lady Cats Basketball Team, assistant and JV Coach Angela Neiderriter and everyone involved with the team!!!! GREAT JOB, LADY CATS!!!!)