Bobcats Down Muncy In PIAA Boys Class-AA State Playoff Opening Round Game

The Clarion Area Bobcats downed the Muncy Indians 57-42 in their PIAA Boys Class-AA State Playoff opening round game at Clarion Area Gymnasium on Saturday, March 8th.

With Muncy leading 17-11 as the second period started, the Bobcats scored seven points to lead 18-17. That was the spark the Bobcats needed. Clarion totaled 21 points in the second, with the Indians scoring just three points, sending the game to halftime with the Bobcats leading 32-20.

With an 11-6 Bobcat edge in the third, Clarion carried a 43-26 lead to the final stanza.

Clarion held their largest lead of the game, 40-22 after a bucket by Wyatt Watterson with about five and a half minutes left in the game. Muncy held a 16-14 edge in the fourth to set the final.

Nate Frederick finished with a game-high nineteen points, including three buckets from long range, while going 6-6 from the foul line for the Bobcats who were 13-of-17 from the charity stripe.

Derek Smail and Dylan Smail each scored nine points, with Dylan hitting on a trey. Derek had a big game on the boards and pretty much held 6’3″ 290 pound Ken Haupe in check, when they were guarding each other.

Mason Burford, who also had a big game, with a number of rebounds and steals, finished with eight points. Watterson had 8 points, including a 3-point basket.

Parker Miller and Quinn O’Neill each had 2 points for the Bobcats.

Dominic Guardini led the Indians with fifteen points.

Clarion Area Coach Sam Heeter said, “The boys stepped up on a big stage today and played incredibly hard in a very physical game. We had a great week of practice leading up to this, and their focus was razor sharp.”

(Way to go and keep it going Bobcats!!!! Thanks to Explore Clarion for permission to use their broadcast for spotting and notes!!)