STRATTANVILLE, Pa. (EYT/D9) — Redbank Valley used a strong first half, along with a balanced scoring attack, to come away with a big early season, 65-52 victory over Clarion-Limestone on Tuesday evening.
Owen Clouse led four players in double figures with 15 points. Ty Carrier and Braylon Wagner each notched 12 points while Mason Clouse added 10 points. Breckin Minich almost reached double figures in scoring nine points.
Redbank Valley led 14-7 with just under three minutes to play in the first quarter before a Jack Craig 3-pointer cut the lead to four. The Bulldogs would close the quarter with a 5-2 edge for a 19-12 lead after one quarter.
“We wanted to turn our defense into offense tonight,” said Redbank Valley head coach Emmanuel Marshall. “Similar to the last game we were able to get some tips and turnovers with our defense and we were able to get out in transition. Once we got into the lead we wanted to work our half court offense a bit because that is still something that we need to work on.”
Owen Clouse started a 9-2 run to open the second quarter with a three-pointer as the Bulldogs would build a 28-14 lead.
After a three by Paul Craig, the Bulldogs would close the quarter on a 14-6 run to take a 42-23 halftime lead.
“We had too many turnovers early on which led to points, and we weren’t making shots early either,” said C-L head coach Pat Craig. “We were playing from behind right from the get-go tonight. We were lacking confidence tonight.”
C-L (1-2 overall) would come out in the third quarter and chip away at the big deficit and they would cut the lead down to 10 at 52-42 by the end of the third quarter, but missed shots early in the fourth followed by a couple made shots at the other end led to Redbank playing a deliberate slow down style in running the clock which led to a 13-10 edge in scoring in the fourth to set the final score of 65-52.
Redbank Valley finished red hot from the free throw line making 20-of-25 free throws for the game which helped in the victory.
“We worked for 20 minutes straight at practice last night just on free throws,” said Marshall. “I was afraid this might come down to a free throw type of game. I think it kind of paid off for us tonight. This is a huge win for our team and our program. Hopefully we can take this type of win and carry it with us as the season goes along.”
Jase Ferguson led C-L with 18 points while Jack Craig added 10 points and Kohen Kemmer chipped in with six.
“We have one practice tomorrow to get ready for another tough opponent on the road in Keystone on Thursday. Things haven’t been easy on us with the schedule early in the season. Take nothing away from Redbank tonight because they have a very good basketball team, and they played very well tonight.”
CLARION 51, UNION 42
Devon Lauer scored 13 points and Gabe Simko added 10 to lead the Bobcats.
Dawson Camper led the way for Union with 17 points.
Clarion led 32-23 at the half before Union rallied to cut the lead to just two at 38-36 after three.
The Bobcats, though, got seven points from Lauer, including a key 3-pointer, to pull away for the nine-point victory.
Trey Fleming added 10 points and Hayden Smith eight for the Golden Knights.
KARNS CITY 75, CRANBERRY 52
Jacob Callihan continued his torrid start to the season with 20 points and 10 rebounds as the Gremlins’ offense was sharp in a win over the Berries.
Luke Cramer and Taite Beighley each added 15 points and Hobie Bartoe pitched in 13 for Karns City.
Cramer also had nine boards, Beighley five assists and Bartoe six steals.
Shane Peters also scored eight for the Gremlins.
Ethan Merriman and Cole Findlay each scored 13 to lead Cranberry. Blake Marchinke added 10 for the Berries.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Brooklynn Taylor scored 15 points and Chloe Fitch added 10 as Karns City downed DuBois, 45-17.
Hanna Dailey also scored seven points and Savanna Prescott six for the Gremlins.
