Basketball: Bobcat Boys Down Brockway In A Thriller, Follow With Win Over A-C Valley (01/09/16)

The Clarion Area Bobcats downed visiting Brockway 75-70, in triple-overtime, on Thursday (January 7th), then followed that up with a 48-29 victory over the homestanding A-C Valley Falcons, on Friday (January 8th).

Players, fans and coaches celebrating big win against Rovers

Clarion 75 – Brockway 70 (3 OT)

The Bobcats had four players hit in double figures, led by Brendan (B0) Miller’s eighteen points, which included a three pointer to tie the game at the end of the first overtime. Ceventh Lynch-Skunda followed with 17 points, including two clutch free throws to tie the game as the second overtime was winding down. Ryan Anthony had 14 and Reed Anthony had eleven.

The Bobcats were without Jon Smith who was out the entire game, with an injury. They also lost the services of Cameron Craig, for most of the second half and the overtimes, due to injury.

Clarion led 12-9 after one quarter and 23-22 at the half. The Cats outscored the Rovers 13-10 in the third, to take a 36-33 led into the fourth, but a 17-14 Brockway advantage in the stanza, sent the game into overtime, at 50-all.

The score was tied at 58-all after the first overtime and at 64-all after overtime number two. The Cats pulled out the hard fought win, led by Lynch-Skunda’s five points, in the third overtime.

Ty Burford had 7 points, Craig had 4 and Spencer Miller and Craig Kerr each had two.

Jake Wineberg had 22 points and Carter Adams had twenty-one to lead the Rovers.

CAT QUOTES:

Coach Jess Quin had this to say after the game:

“It’s an even bigger win, when you have your two top scorers down. We were down Jon Smith and then halfway through the game, we lost Cam Craig, our point guard. They are our two top scorers.

“Ceventh stepped up big. Ryan Anthony and Reed Anthony stepped up big. And I cannot say enough… I’m on Ty Burford. I’m on him because we need him. He’s a big guy. He stepped up. But nothing was more important than to turn to your leadership, turn to your seniors, turn to your Captain. Bo Miller hits the three. There is nothing better, there is nothing better.

“… our team effort. We had guys play in the JV game, had to step up. Not only did we have guys in foul trouble, but missing two guys to injury. Lots of people had to step up and they did.

(Photo by Bri Nellis – Bri Nellis Photography) Craig Kerr skying at A-C Valley

“I can’t say anything more than what a great team win, against a very scrappy and streaky Brockway team. They did everything that they needed to do to win the game. It just didn’t fall for them. I applaud their effort. I told some of their boys, as we were walking through… a couple of their starters…, ‘In my heart, it’s a shame that somebody had to lose this game. You guys played your hearts out. Good luck the rest of the season.’ And that’s true. That’s the way I feel.

“What a great team win. The boys stepped up. Zack Bauer steps up gives us valuable minutes, gets rebounds. Got a charge call, but that’s all right. We get valuable minutes from those guys. Craig Kerr stepped up, got us some key rebounds, big presence. So I can’t say enough about what an effort it was.”

The Bobcat JVs lost 47-31. Spencer Miller and Drew Wrhen each had seven points. Austin Hummell, Tom Hearst and Archer Mills each had 4, with Zack Bauer and Jacob Selker contributing two points. Oscar Suzuki had one.

The JVs downed Moniteau 41-38, earlier in the week (Tuesday, January 5th). Spencer Miller led the team with fifteen.

Hummell had 8, Selker scored 6, Whren and Hearst had 4 each and Suzuki scored one point.

(Phoro by Bri Nellis – Bri Nellis Photography) John Allen looking for feed from Brendan Miller at A-C Valley

Clarion 48 – A-C Valley 29

Brendan Miller had another big game, as he scored 14 points and pulled in nine rebounds against the Falcons. Ty Burford also scored in double-figures anbd was a presence on the boards, with 10 points and eight rebounds.

The Bobcats had an 18-7 lead after the first period, 31-13 halftime and 43-19 after three. A 10-5 A-C Valley advantage in the fourth set the final at 48-29.

Reed Anthony added seven points for the Bobcats. Ryan Anthony had 6. Ceventh Lynch-Skunda, Craig Kerr and John Allen each had four.

Austin Heeter had 22 points and ten rebounds to lead the Falcons.

Clarion will host Keystone on Monday (January 11th).

(Thanks to Bri Nellis for the photos. Good work Bobcats!!!!)