CLARION, Pa. (EYT/D9) – Christian Simko scored 23 points and hit a key free throw with 5.3 second remaining to lead the Clarion boys basketball team to a tight 60-58 home win over North Clarion.
Colin Schmader dribbled the length of the court with three second left for the Wolves, but his running jumper missed the mark at the buzzer.
Clarion built a big lead in the first half. The Bobcats moved ahead 31-12 on a reverse layup by Devon Lauer with a little less than two minutes remaining in the first half as part of a 24-5 run.
North Clarion made a bit of a push to end the half, entering the break down 33-17.
It was a preview of things to come in the second half for the Wolves.
Aiden Hartle scored 20 of his 27 points in the second half to help lead the rally.
The Wolves got as close as two of the lead several times in the fourth quarter and trailed 59-58 when Simko stepped to the line with 5.3 seconds remaining, but couldn’t get closer.
Schmader added 13 for North Clarion.
Lauer pitched in 14 for Clarion.
KARNS CITY 43, KEYSTONE 39 – Micah Rupp scored 13 points and Luke Cramer returned after missing several weeks with an ankle injury to score 12 as the Gremlins held off the Panthers.
Karns City led 12-6 after the first quarter, but Keystone rallied to tie the game at 17-17 at the half.
The game was still deadlocked at 30-30 heading into the fourth quarter.
Taite Beighley and Jacob Callihan each hit big 3-pointers in the final quarter to help secure the win.
Bret Wingard scored 24 points for Keystone. In the first meeting, Karns City held Wingard scoreless.
Tyler Albright added nine for the Panthers
A-C VALLEY 60. FOREST 18 – Landon Chalmers continued his dominance in the paint of late with 11 points and 19 rebounds as the Falcons rolled.
Jay Clover led A-C Valley with 14 points.
Alex Preston also scored 11 points for the Falcons.
UNION 72, VENANGO CATHOLIC 32 – Payton Johnston poured in 21 points as the Golden Knights took care of the Vikings.
Union was balanced. Skyler Roxbury scored 11, Zander Laughlin 10, Caden Rainey nine and Dawson Camper eight for the Knights.
Jake Liederbach scored 11 and Ben Campbell 10 to lead Venango Catholic.
