Junior High Boys B-Team Downs Keystone (02/05/15)

(By Coach Jason Craig)

The Jr. High Boys B-team was back in action on Feb.4th after a near 2-week break due to the weather. It was nice to get back into playing games, I really think the boys were tired of just practicing all the time, they wanted to play. We traveled to Keystone to take on the Panthers.

The Bobcats won the 1st quarter 6 – 3 on baskets by Mitch Geiger, Josh Craig and Nick Frederick. In the quarter, Nate Datko hit a 3-pointer (his first of several HUGE shots) and Frederick added another basket as Clarion went into the half with an 11 – 7 advantage.

The Panthers won the third quarter 7 – 4 to trim the lead to 15 – 14 after three. Craig and Geiger each had baskets for Clarion.

Keystone came out firing in the fourth and took a three point lead until Datko buried another bomb from beyond the arc to tie the score. The Panthers again jumped ahead by three and Datko again responded with another 3-pointer with 1:40 left in the game to knot the score at 21. Then, with about 30 seconds left, Craig hit a floater in the lane to give Clarion a 23 – 21 advantage that would set the final score.

The win moved Clarion to 2 – 0 on the young season.

Datko lead the way for Clarion with 9 points (all 3’s). Craig followed with 6 while Frederick and Geiger each had 4.

We have been playing this Panther team since our boys were in 5th grade and every game is a nail-biter. The teams have gotten to know each other over the years and it will be fun to watch them compete over the next several years.

Blazosky, Rapp, Jones and Byers each had 4 points for the Panthers. Schraers and Lauer followed with 2 each while Rearick added a free throw.

(Thanks to Coach Craig for this article.)