PORTAGE, Pa. – Outscoring Portage 31-7 in the middle two quarters, Cameron County stunned the District 6 champions on their home court, 50-28, in the opening round of the PIAA Class 1A boys’ basketball playoffs.
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The Red Raiders, the fourth-place team out of District 9, opened up a 19-10 halftime lead by outscoring the Mustangs, who were without one of their four leading scorers, 14-5 in the second quarter and then put the game away with a 17-2 third-quarter run.
Josh Smith was the key in the second quarter hitting a pair of 3-pointers and scoring eight of his team-high 15 points in the quarter for Cameron County (18-8).
Camdyn Allison then led the way in the fourth quarter netting seven of his 14 points.
Portage (25-3), who was playing without leading scorer Andre Miko (14.6 ppg) – the Mustangs did have three other players in the lineup who combined for 37.5 ppg – got eight points from Luke Scarton and seven from Trae Kargo.
Cameron County will face Union (New Castle) in the s second round Tuesday, March 14, at a site and time to be announced.
NOTE: The game was originally scheduled for Friday but was moved to Saturday because of weather concerns.
BISHOIP CANEVIN 70, CLARION-LIMESTONE 67
STRATTANVILLE, Pa. – A strong second-half comeback attempt fell just short, as District 9 champion Clarion-Limestone dropped a 70-67 decision to WPIAL fourth-place finisher Bishop Canevin in the PIAA Class 2A first round.
The Lions (25-3) trailed 43-35 at halftime and 46-37 following an early third-quarter 3-pointer by the Crusaders’ Dante Berrien.
But behind the play of KSAC MVP Jordan Hesdon C-L was able get back within three, 57-54, by the end of the third quarter.
Hesdon scored 12 of his 16 points n the third quarter including the first eight C-L points of the quarter.
A pair of baskets by Shea Champine, who had a game-high 33 points, but Bishop Canevin (21-6), who won the PIAA Class 1A title a year ago before moving up to 2A this year, up seven 64-57, with 3:35 to play with the second basket coming on a slam dunk off a steal.
Another Champine hoop, this one with 1:51 left off an inbound play following a timeout, kept the lead at seven, 66-59, but C-L didn’t go away quietly.
Logan Lutz hit a shot to cut the lead to 66-61, and Jase Ferguson hit two free throws with 1:35 left to get the Lions within three, 66-63.
C-L then almost came away with a steal, but when the Lions couldn’t get the loose ball Berrien was able to get an easy hoop on the other side to make it 68-63 with 1:13 to go.
The Lions got within three again when Riley Klingensmith was able to score after the third of three C-L offensive rebounds with 45.1 seconds left, but Champine made two free throws with 36.6 seconds to play to make it a 70-65 game.
C-L then rushed a couple of 3-pointers before Champine missed a free throw with about 24 seconds left.
Again, instead of going for two, the Lions hurried some shots before Ferguson finally put in an offensive rebound with 1.6 seconds left to make it 70-67.
C-L called timeout, but Bishop Canevin was able to play keep away after the timeout to seal the victory.
Klingensmith led C-L with 19 points, including 16 in the first half, while Alex PAinter chipped in 13 points and Jack Callen eight points.
Champine had a huge first half for Bishop Canevin scoring 21 of his 33 points before halftime including 16 in the second quarter helping the Crusaders expand an 18-15 lead after one quarter into a 43-35 halftime advantage.
Jason Cross chipped in 12 points in the win, and Michael Vaughn had 10 points.
Bishop Canevin will take on District 1- runner-up Mercer in the second round Wednesday, March 15, at a site and time to be determined.
ALIQUIPPA 65, KARNS CITY 33
ALIQUIPPA, Pa. – WPIAL champion Aliquippa used a 16-4 start to beat District 9 third-place finisher Karns City, 65-33, in the opening round of the PIAA Class 2A playoffs at Aliquippa.
The Quips had eight different players score led by 18 points from freshman Qalil Goode. Donovan Walker added 17 points in the win, and Demarkus Walker had nine.
Micah Rupp had 12 points, eight rebounds, and four blocked shots for Karsns City with Shane Peters adding eight points and six rebounds and Taite Beighley chipping in eight points.
Aliquippa will play District 6 runner-up West Branch in the second round Wednesday, March 15, at a site and time to be announced.
