Bobcats Drop KSAC North Basketball Contest To Venango Catholic / JVs Win (02/07/14)

The Clarion Boys Fell to Venango Catholic, 77-65, in a home KSAC North game on Thursday night.

The Bobcats held a one point lead, at the quarter, thanks to a buzzer beating 3-point basket by sophomore Taylor Smith. But the Vikings outscored the Cats 18-6, in the second, to take a ten point, 32-22 lead into the locker room at halftime.

(Photos by Scott Miller)
Antonio Troese shooting from long distance

There was some major scoring in the third period, with the Bobcats scoring 24 and the Vikes 18, making it a four point game, 50-46 VC, heading to the final stanza. The fourth period was another high scoring affair, with Venango Catholic hitting for 27 and Clarion, 19, to set the 77-65 final.

Each team had four players reach double figures. For Clarion, sophomore Brendan Miller had 18, followed by senior Antonio Troese with 16, Smith with 14 and senior Ellis Painter with twelve. Miller, Smith and Painter also came up big for the Cats on the boards. Miller had 8 rebounds, while Smith and Painter had five boards apiece. Cody Hearst also contributed five points for the Bobcats.

Venango Catholic was led by 6’11” junior Devin Zager, who proved to be the difference in the game, as he came up big offensively and defensively. Zager had a double-double, leading all scorers with 28 points, including a slam dunk, 17 rebounds and six blocks. The other three Vikings scoring in double figures, were, Jacob Hale with 15, Scott Toy with 14 and Jonah Jones with eleven.

Both teams now have identical records: 4-5, KSAC North and 8-10, overall.

 
The Bobcat JVs won their contest, 42-36. The Cats led 17-10, at the quarter, with Nadir Lynch hitting a three-pointer, from just inside the midcourt stripe, as time ran out. The Cats held a 26-17, lead, at the half. But the Vikings came back, in the third, with a 10-2 advantage making the score 27-27, heading into the final stanza. But a 15-9, fourth period, edge, by the Cats, set the final.

Michael Bartley with a jumper in the JV game

Zach Hill, Thomas Plummer and Ryan Anthony led the Clarion JVs with eight points apiece. Derek Lauer had 6 points and Michael Bartley had 4, while Lynch and Ty Burford both recorded three. Reed Anthony had two points.

Leading the Venango Catholic JVs were Noah Puleo with 14 points and Luke Plumer with twelve.

The Bobcats will host Keystone, on Saturday. The JV game will start at 12:00 Noon, with the Varsity to follow.