Clarion Comets Take Second Place In Blairsville Tournament (02/25/20)
(Photos submitted) Above: Coach Dan Clark and his players with team trophy and medals
(Article submitted)
The Clarion Comets came away with a second place finish in the Blairsville tournament over the weekend (Saturday and Sunday, February 22nd and 23rd). It was a 10 team pool play tournament, with two pools of five teams each. All teams were guaranteed three games on Saturday, with the top three teams from each pool going on to a bracketed championship on Sunday.
The pool play was decided based on record, points allowed, then differential. Clarion was the top seed in their pool, on Sunday and were granted a first round bye. They lost in the Championship game and came home with a second place finish.
The teams that participated in the tournament were: Homer City, Northern Cambria, Blairsville, Marion Center, Indiana, Saltsburg, Penns Manor Brookville, Clarion and Penn Cambria.
Game Recaps:
Game 1 (Saturday): Clarion Comets 30 – Homer City 27
The Comets were up by 10 midway through the 4th quarter. Homer City fought back and with a couple of late fouls, put the Comets into a 1-and-1 free throw situation, with Homer City trying to gain possession. Homer City had the final possession, but were unable to convert and the Comets were able to hold on for the win.
Game 2 (Saturday): Clarion Comets 41 – Saltsburg 22
This game was a solid performance from the Comets. Nathan Frederick had a game high six three-pointers and 22 total points, for the Comets in the win. The entire team played well together. Unfortunately the Comets lost Mason Burford due to illness, he is one of the leading scorers for the Comets and they had to forge ahead in the tournament without him.
Game 3 (Saturday): Penn Cambria 35 – Clarion Comets 15
Penn Cambria ran a trap defense, which the Comets were not able to break. The Comets had trouble running their offense and lost a lot of possessions due to turnovers.
Game 4 (Sunday): Clarion Comets 33 – Brookville 31
This was a very close game. Brookville and Clarion have met several times this season, and they are evenly matched. Ky Clark started off the Comets, with a couple of quick buckets and the Comets had a comfortable lead at halftime. The Comets were up by twelve at the half. Brookville came out, in the third quarter, on fire at the low post and scored 6 unanswered points. They carried on with that momentum and handily won the frame. The fourth quarter was a seesaw back and forth affair, with the lead changing several times.
Nathan Frederick had a late three to put the Comets up by 4 and then both teams got in foul trouble, forcing 1-and-1 opportunities. The Comets were able to hold on for the win. This game was the most exciting of the tournament for the Comets.
Game 5 (Sunday): Championship Penn Cambria 42 – Clarion Comets 23
Penn Cambria ran their trap defense which the Comets again had trouble with.
The Comets received a second place team trophy for the Elementary school and individual medals.
The whole team played well and everyone contributed.
(Thanks to the Comets for this article. CONGRATULATIONS, GUYS!!!!)