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Bobcat Boys Fall To Elkers In D9 2A Title Tilt, Will Face Winchester Thurston In PIAA State Basketball Opener (03/02/20)

(Above Photo) Josh Craig going high to pass over Ridgway defender

The Clarion Bobcats, fell to the Ridgway Elkers, 41-32, in the District Nine 2A Championship game at Tippin Gymnasium, on Saturday (February 29th). The Bobcats will now face the District 7 (WPIAL) third place Winchester Thurston Bears, on Saturday (March 7th), at 2:00PM.

The Championship game was one of contrasting styles, the Bobcats with the more fast paced KSAC version and the Elkers with a much more methodical style.

Nick Frederick shooting a foul shot

The Elkers led throughout, with the exception being a 9-9 tie, in the first, after Cal German sank a three-pointer. The first period ended with Ridgway leading 14-9.

The Cats closed the gap to one before the half, 21-20 Ridgway, with Hunter Craddock hitting a layup. Ridgway froze about 45 seconds, off the clock at the end of the period, but missed a shot at the buzzer. Craddock had another bucket earlier in the quarter, German had a trey and Skylar Rhoades scored on a layup.

Bobcats on defense

The Cats were still within striking distance, when the third came to a close, with Ridgway leading 32-27 heading to the fourth. Nick Frederick had a pair of baskets in the frame, and Beau Verdill had a field goal and Josh Craig had a field goal.

Ridgway turned it up (or should we say, down a notch) in the final frame, using a four corners game and freezing the ball for the majority of the quarter, and coming away with a 9-5 edge to set the final. The Cats did have some opportunities, but with a Ridgway steal or a missed Bobcat shot, here or there, Clarion just wasn’t able to overcome the Elkers slow style of play.

German led Clarion with twelve points. Nick Frederick scored 7 points, Beau Verdill had 6, Craddock had 4, Rhoades scored 4 and Josh Craig had one.

(Let’s Go Cats!!!! Beat the Bears!!!!)