Boys Basketball: Bobcats Down Berries (01/31/14)

Homestanding Clarion downed Cranberry 63-56, in overtime, on Thursday night, in a KSAC North matchup.

The Bobcats led throughout the game, but late in the fourth period, the Berries tied the score at 49. The Cats regained the lead at 51-49, but again, this time with just over a minute left, the visitors tied the score again. The score remained knotted 51-all, as time ran out, forcing overtime.

A Taylor Smith three pointer opened the scoring in the overtime period, giving the Bobcats a 54-51 lead and Clarion wouldn’t trail again.

(Photos by Scott Miller)
Antonio Troese looking to make something happen

Smith, who was 5 for 7 from three point range, led the Bobcats’ scoring with nineteen points. He was joined in double figures by Antonio Troese who had 18 and Brendan Miller who had 10, before fouling out. Troese ended the night with a double-double, by pulling down ten rebounds. He also had 6 assists and a steal. Miller just missed a double-double, pulling down eight rebounds. He also had a steal.

Also contributing for the Bobcats, who led 16-11, after one period, 31-23, at the half and 46-39, after three periods, were Cody Hearst and Levi Barger, with 6 points apiece and Ellis Painter with four. Barger also had six boards.

The Berries’ Evan Lutz led all scorers with 24 points. Janco Swart chipped in with ten.

Clarion Coach Todd Smith said, “It was a great team win. Our backs were against the wall and we really stepped up and performed when we had to. Taylor’s 3 was big to start overtime and Antonio and Ellis made some big foul shots. Levi really gave us some quality minutes off the bench when Bo fouled out.

“We have 8 games in the next 13 days so we are going to need everyone.”

The Bobcat JVs dropped their contest, 40-30. Cranberry led 11-6, after one, 24-11, at the half and 31-22 after three.

Zach Hill led Clarion with 12 points, including two treys. Nadir Lynch and Ty Burford each had five points. Reed Anthony had 4 and Derek Lauer and Luke Nellis had two points apiece.

Brendan Zerbe and Dechlyn Sheffer led the Cranberry JVs with nine points apiece.

The Bobcats will travel to A-C Valley, today.