Bobcats Down Panthers In Exciting KSAC Boys Basketball Semifinal, Will Face Bulldogs In Championship

All photos courtesy of Brinley Kiskadden-BK Media (Above) Dylan Smail working the court

The Clarion Area Bobcats downed the Keystone Panthers, in a 36-35 nailbiter, in their KSAC Boys Basketball Championship semifinal, on Thursday (February 13th) at PennWest Clarion’s Tippin Gymnasium.

The game was decided literally at the last second on a nothing but net buzzer-beater jump shot from just inside the right side three-point arc, by Dylan Smail. The shot was set up on a steal by Mason Burford.

The Bobcats led 11-6 after one period. Keystone outscored Clarion 8-6 in the second, giving the Bobcats a 17-14 halftime lead. A 13-10 Clarion edge in the third quarter had the Bobcats up 30-24 heading to the fourth, where the Panthers held an 11-6 advantage, that just wasn’t enough, in this low scoring but exciting game.

Derek Smail led the Bobcats’ scoring with eleven points. Dylan Smail followed with eight points, including the big game winner. Three of his points came on a trey.

Burford had 6 points and Nate Frederick contributed five points. Wyatt Watterson and Parker Miller each registered 3 points for Clarion, with buckets from long range.

Dom Corcetti, with 13 points and Eli Nellis, with 10 points led the Panthers.

Clarion Head Coach Sam Heeter had this to say, “The game was much closer than I would have preferred, but we found a way to win and that’s what good teams do.

“Dylan’s buzzer beater can’t happen without Mason’s steal, so Mason’s play was huge for us and it does not go unnoticed.”

The Bobcats will face Redbank Valley, 56-52 winners over Clarion-Limestone, in Thursday’s other semifinal, in the Championship Game on Saturday (February 16th), at 6:00 p.m.

(Let’s Go, Cats!!!! Thanks to Brinley Kiskadden-BK Media for her photos!! Thanks to Explore Clarion for use of their Broadcast!!)