Bobcat Boys Fall To Bulldogs In KSAC Basketball Tournament Semifinal

(Above image: Aidan Quinn looking to pass)

The Clarion Area Bobcat Boys faced off against Redbank Valley at Clarion University’s Tippin Gymnasium, in the Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference Basketball Tournament semifinals, on Friday (February 18th), falling to the Bulldogs, 57-31.

The Bulldogs opened the game with a pair of buckets by Chris Marshall to lead 4-0, but with baskets by Dawson Smail and Gabe Simko, the Bobcats tied the score at 4-all. Redbank Valley went on a 7-2 run, for an 11-6 lead, but a three-pointer at the buzzer by Christian Simko had Clarion down by just two, 11-9 after one.

Redbank came out strong in the second, with a 13-0 run and a 24-9 lead. The Cats clawed their way back to within eight at 24-16, on a three-pointer by Aidan Quinn and a pair of buckets by Dawson Smail. An 8-0 run by the Bulldogs on a three by Mason Clouse, a two by Owen Clouse and a trey by Marshall, moved Redbank Valley’s lead to 32-16. Dawson Smail had bucket to close out the scoring in the period and Redbank led 32-18 at the half.

A 15-8 advantage by the Bulldogs in the third moved their lead to 47-26 heading to the fourth. Devon Lauer had a pair of baskets for the Bulldogs in the frame, while Christian Simko and Derek Smail also contributed baskets.

The Bobcats had a 15-10 edge in the final stanza. Aiden Quinn opened the fourth with a trey, for the Cats. Marshall and Gardlock answered with a basket each. With the Bulldogs now up 51-29, Clarion went on a 12-6 run, which included a three-pointer by Ryan Alston, to close out the game.

Dawson Smail led Clarion with twelve points. Christian Simko followed with 9 points (including a trey), Quinn had six on a pair of three-pointers and Lauer had five.

Gabe Simko scored 4 points, Alston had 3, on his three-point bucket and Derek Smail had two.

Gardlock led Redbank Valley with sixteen points. Marshall had 13, Owen Clouse had 9 and Mason Clouse finished with eight.

Clarion will enter the District Nine Class-A Playoffs, next week. They are the number 8 seed and will host number 9 seed Sheffield on Tuesday (February 22nd) at 7:00 p.m. The winner will advance to face number 1 seed Elk County Catholic in the quarterfinals, at ECC, on Friday (February 25th) at 7:00 p.m.

The Bobcat Girls will enter the District Nine Class-A Playoffs on Tuesday (February 22nd) also. They are the number 10 seed and will travel number 7 seed Coudersport, tip-off is at 7:00 p.m. The winner will advance to face number 2 seed North Clarion on Thursday (February 24th) at 7:00 p.m., in the quarterfinals).

(Have a great District Nine Tournament, Bobcats!!!!)

The prices for all District Nine Tournament games are $8.00 for adults and $4.00 for students when purchased via HomeTown Ticketing (purchase on District Nine site; link below). Tickets at the door are $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for students.

Upcoming Events | PIAA District 9 Box Office (hometownticketing.com)