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Junior High Boys Basketball Teams Complete Fine Season (03/06/14)

The Clarion Junior High Boys Basketball Teams finished fine 2013 campaigns, at home, on Monday against North Clarion. A-Team Coach, Jess Quinn and B-Team Coach, Jason Craig share the following summaries, including their thoughts on the season.

(Photo by Smith Photography Studio) 2013-14 Clarion Junior High Basketball Team (A and B-Squads)

(Photo by Smith Photography Studio)
2013-14 Clarion Junior High Basketball Team (A and B-Squads)

(A-Team summary by Coach Quinn)

Our Clarion Area A-Team finished their season with a convincing 45-21 win over the North Clarion Wolves.

Clarion used a big first quarter by Christian Smith to open up the game and the lead. Christian had 7 of the first 12 points the Bobcats scored. Two of these were from beyond the 3 point line. Spencer Miller also added a 3 pointer, and Cam Craig rounded out the scoring with a bucket.

The defense was again stout, as our boys held the Wolves to just one field goal by Tommy Wurster. The Bobcats were ahead 12-2 at that point. Defense was unrelenting, as the boys held North Clarion to only 4 points in the second quarter. One bucket by Schmader, and two free throws. On the flip side, our offense was on track. It stemmed from the defensive pressure that was applied. Spencer Miller had 8 of the of the Cats’ 15 points. It also included another 3!  Zach Bauer also dropped a 3 on them and Jacob Selker and Jimmy Smathers eached added a bucket. The Clarion lead at halftime was 27-6.

Jimmy Smathers looking for an open teammate.

Jimmy Smathers looking for an open teammate.

After buckets by Jacob Selker, Cam Craig and Christian Smith, Clarion’s lead was 33-15 at the end of the third quarter. The fourth quarter saw Jimmy Smathers drop a 3 pointer and hit 1 of 2 free throws. It also saw Austin Hummell and Christian Smith each lay one in for the Bobcats.

One of the happiest moments of the season unfolded at the end of the game… Victor Stahlman was fouled and placed at the free throw line. Without flinching, Victor put both shots in with ease! Those two points upped Vic’s total on the year to 4 points. But it is very fitting to have Victor, a 9th grader, score the last of the points for us this year! Way to go VIC!  Some of the boys didn’t make the scorer’s book, but Nick Cherico and Cam Heast were great on the boards and came up with some huge steals on defense.  Great Job Nick and Cam!

A special thanks to Cam Kirkland! Cam has helped the Junior High Basketball Team this year! Cam Played for me a few seasons ago (although it seems like yesterday). His team also was very successful that season. He then went on the have a great career playing for Coach Todd Smith. He also played AAU for Coach Rogers Laugand.  He brought all that knowledge and helped each of our boys this season. His knowledge and experience as a player was put to great use this year. As a coach he has so much to offer in the future. Thank you Cam!

Nick Cherico and Zach Bauer going for a rebound

Nick Cherico and Zach Bauer going for a rebound

A note for the boys who played for me this year… Keep working hard! Always remember what we accomplished this season, but use it as a stepping stone to better things to come. Nothing would make me happier than in a few years travel to Tippin Gym and watch you bring home a D-9 Title! I hope that you have learned something about the game, but not just how to play… how to win, with class and how to push yourself further than what you might think you are capable of.

Please know that I am very proud of the effort you gave me this year. (not just in the games, but practice as well) You will always need something to keep you in check.  For us this year it was the Karns City game. That loss should drive you to work harder in the future. That way, it won’t repeat itself.

I am excited for the future of Clarion Basketball. Jimmy, I am glad you decided to play!  Cam C, Christian, Spencer, Chaw, Zach, Nick, Jacob, Austin, and Victor… THANK YOU!

(B-Team Summary by Coach Craig)

On Monday, March 3rd, the Clarion B-Team hosted the Wolves of North Clarion in their last home game of the season.

Clarion was coming off a loss to C-L and it showed in the 1st quarter. North Clarion won the quarter 6-2 as Jacob Burns accounted for the only basket for the Bobcats. Clarion battled back in the second quarter winning it 9-8. Drew Wrhen hit a 3-pointer in the quarter and Archer Mills added 4 points in the frame.

Henry Baldwin stretching for a pass

Henry Baldwin stretching for a pass

The Wolves, however went in to the break with a 14-11 lead. North Clarion won each quarter in the second half, 8-6 and 9-8 respectively and won the game 31-25.

Jacob Burns led the Bobcats in scoring with 8 points.  Other scorers for Clarion were Mills (7), Gavin Brinkley and Wrhen (3 each), Brendan Zerfoss and Oscar Suzuki (2 each).

The B-Team finished the season with an 8 -5 record. In the end, this was a fantastic season. Anyone who watched these boys play from the first game to the last would agree that they showed a tremendous amount of improvement.

At the beginning of the season, I was hoping that we would be able to finish with a .500 record. This team really exceeded my expectations in the number of wins and the level of play they were able to achieve. It was a privilege to coach this team and I encourage them to keep playing and practicing until next season.

Brendan Zerfoss with a layup

Brendan Zerfoss with a layup

(Thanks to Coach Quinn and Coach Craig for these summaries and thanks to Smith Photography Studio for the Team Photo. Great Season to both Junior High Boys Teams!!!!)