Lady Cats Fall To Venango Catholic In D-9 Class-A Championship Game (03/01/15)

The Clarion Area Lady Cats fell short in their bid to win a third straight District Nine Class-A Basketball title on Saturday (February, 28th), dropping a 35-22 decision to Venango Catholic, at Tippin Gymnasium.

(Photos by Jack Kenneson) Maci driving to the hoop

Venango Catholic’s Ava Homan scored 8 of the Lady Vikings 10 first quarter points, while the defense held Clarion off the scoreboard.

The Bobcats came back, in the second period, with a 15-8 scoring advantage, to close the gap to 18-15 heading to the half. Maci Thornton led the Cats, in the second, scoring all of her 13 points in the frame, including the last eight points. Anna Reed sunk two free throws early in the period. Homan scored six points for the Lady Vikes, in the second.

Six Bobcat points, to open the third, on a basket by Lauren Wiser, a foul shot and a layup by Reed, extended  the run to thirteen straight points and gave Clarion it’s first and only lead 20-18, at the 5:50 mark.  The Vikings would go on a 10-2 run, to close the third with a 28-22 lead. Gloria Kroh had Clarion’s basket.

There were no points scored in the fourth quarter, until the Vikings Taylor Moltz hit two free throws with just 55. 2 seconds left in the game. V-C would score the only points in the final stanza, with Moltz collecting four more point from the charity line. Allison Guth also had a field goal during the period.

Clarion Area student section

Homan had 17 points and Guth had eleven to lead Venango Catholic.

The Lady Cats will begin State Playoff action against Bishop Carroll, the third place team out of District 6, at 4:00PM, on Saturday (March 7th) at Tippin.