DUKE CENTER, Pa. – Playing real minutes for the first time since injuring his ankle Feb. 11, Austin Cousins knocked down five 3-pointers to help top-seeded Otto-Eldred roll past visiting and eighth-seeded Curwensville, 61-31, in the District 9 Class 2A boys’ basketball quarterfinals.
Also see: O-E’s Sheeler Breaks School Mark • D9 Girls Recaps • Warren wins 3 OT Thriller
Brax Caldwell also scored 15 points for the Terrors, who broke open a close game after one quarter of play with a 22-point second quarter.
Otto-Eldred led 12-11 at the end of the first quarter before Caldwell and Manning Splain each scored seven points in the second quarter and Cousins hit a pair of 3-pointer to help the Terrors (22-1) outscore the Golden Tide (8-15) 22-8 in the quarter to take a 34-19 halftime lead.
Shene Thomas chipped in 13 points in the win and Splain and Landon Francis each scored nine points.
Dan McGarry led Curwensville with 11 points with Davis Fleming and Chandler English each scoring five points.
Otto-Eldred will take on defending champion Ridgway, the fourth seed, in the semifinals Wednesday, March 1, at a date and time to be announced.
ST. MARYS 41, PUNXSUTAWNEY 31
DUBOIS, Pa. – A strong first-quarter performance helped establish the tone for St. Marys in a 41-31 win over Punxsutawney in the District 9 Class 4A semifinals at DuBois High School.
The Dutch (12-12) outscored the Chucks (7-16) 11-2 in the opening eight minutes thanks to four points each from Tanner Fox and Charlie Coudriet and a 3-pointer from Quin Gavazzi.
Punxsutawney was able to get within eight, 18-10, at halftime, but St. Marys outscored the Chucks 15-9 in the third quarter to take a double-digit lead into the final eight minutes.
Coudriet and Fox again led the way with six points each.
Fox led the Dutch with 15 points with Coudriet adding 14.
Noah Weaver paced Punxsutawney with 10 points with Jimmie Neese adding eight points.
St. Marys will face top-seeded Clearfield for the District 9 title Friday, March 3, at PennWest Clarion’s Tippin Gym.
