Clarion Junior High Girls’ Basketball Teams Sweep Clarion-Limestone, Split with Keystone (11/12/14)

(By Coach Dave Constantino)

“A” Game – Clarion 30 – Clarion-Limestone 18
Clarion jumped out to a 14-4 lead after the first quarter on their way to 30-18 win over their crosstown rivals. The Lady Cats used their aggressive defense in the quarter to create great offensive opportunities for themselves. The lead was pushed to 21-10 at the half. The Lady Cats outscored the Lady Lions 9-8 in the second half to set the final.

Clarion was led by Wendy Beveridge’s 12 points. Following close behind was Ali Troese with 8 points and Gabby Weaver with 4. Dorothy Kalinowski, Lindsey Kemmer, and Kaylie Lutz all finished with 2 points apiece.

“B” Game – Clarion 20 – Clarion-Limestone 19 (OT)
In the first game of the double header, the young Lady Cats won in exciting fashion by defeating their rivals to the east 20-19 in overtime. Clarion led 6-4 at the half and the game was tied at 10 heading into the final quarter.

Both teams scored 6 points in the 4th quarter to send the game into the extra frame. C-L went up one with a free throw early in overtime. Kaitlyn Constantino countered with a jump shot to give Clarion a 1-point lead with a little over a minute left. On the next possession, Kaylie Lutz put in an offensive rebound to push the lead to 3. C-L scored on their next possession, but Clarion was
able to run out the clock for the victory.

Kaitlyn Constantino led the Lady Cats with 12 points. Ali Troese finished with 4 points and both Cassie Acey and Kaylie Lutz knocked in a basket.

“A” Game – Keystone 29 – Clarion 21
The Clarion Junior High Girls’ “A” team came up short against Keystone in girls’ basketball action Wednesday afternoon. Clarion only trailed by 2 at the half, 11-9, but a strong 3rd quarter by the Lady Panthers proved too much as they would outscore the Lady Cats 12-0 to take a 14 point lead into the final frame.

Clarion cut the lead to 6 points with a minute and a half to go but would get no closer. Clarion was led by Ali Troese’s 9 points and Dorothy Kalinowski’s 4 points. Kalinowski played a tremendous defensive game against Keystone’s leading scorer. Gabby Weaver, Cassie Acey, Wendy Beveridge, and Kaylie Lutz all finished with a pair. Lutz missed most of the second half with a head injury.

“B” Game – Clarion 19 – Keystone 8
The Clarion “B” team continued their winning ways with an impressive 11 point victory over the Lady Panthers in the first game of the day. Clarion led by 10 at the half and outscored Keystone 7-6 in the second half to seal the deal. Clarion played tremendous defense and did a good job controlling the boards against a taller Panther team. The Lady Cats were led by Kaitlyn Constantino who finished the game with 7 points and Carly Best who finished with 4 markers. Abby Harbaugh, Lindsey Kemmer, Cassie Acey, and Ali Troese all chipped in with 2 points.

Both teams have 3-2 records on the season and look to improve each and every time they step onto the floor. Next up for the young Cats will be next Tuesday (November 18) when they travel to Tionesta to take on the Forest Fires.

(Thanks to Coach Constantino for this article.)