CLARION, Pa. – In what turned out to be tied for the second-lowest scoring District 9 girls’ title game in history, Karns City claimed its first District 9 title since 2017 with a 28-21 win over Kane at PennWest’s Tippin Gym.
Also see: D9 2A and D9 1A girls semifinal recaps • DuBois Boys Win Subregional
“Our defense set the tone for the game,” Karns City head coach Steve Andreassi told the YDL Sports Network in a text message. “We pressured Kane throughout the game, although we didn’t always finish on the offensive end.”
The Lady Gremlins (15-8) led 17-13 at halftime and then outscored Kane 5-2 in the third quarter to push the lead to seven, 22-15.
“We finished the game by running the clock to preserve the victory,” Andreassi texted.
Chloe Fritch led Karns City with eight points with Brooklyn Taylor adding seven points.
“We have to remember how young a team we really are,” Andreassi texted.
Mia Anderson scored a game-high 11 points for Kane (11-12).
Karns City will play Chestnut Ridge in the District 5-8-9 subregional title game at Noon Saturday at Tippin Gym. Both teams have already qualified for the PIAA playoffs.
NOTES – The only D9 girls’ title game to have a lower combined score than the 49 points Karns City and Kane combined for was in 1983 when Bradford beat Punxsutawney, 24-23, for the 3A title. The year before, in 1982, Clearfield and St. Marys combined for 49 points with Clearfield winning 26-23.
KARNS CITY 28, KANE 21
Score by Quarters
Kane 5 8 2 6 – 21
Karns City 9 8 5 6 – 28
KANE – 21
Cora Jekielek 0 0-0 0, Mia Anderson 3 5-6 11, Hailey Hillman 1 0-1 2, Maya Smith 0 3-5 3, Leah Tigani 1 1-3 3, Rylee Haight 0 0-0 0, Emma Danielson 1 0-0 2, 6 9-15 21.
KARNS CITY – 28
Emma Dailey 2 0-0 4, Naiomi Venesky 1 0-0 2, Chloe Fritch 3 2-4 8, Shae Pistorius 0 0-0 0, Hanna Dailey 1 1-5 3, Savanna Prescott 1 2-2 4, Jordan Macureak 0 0-0 0, Brooklyn Taylor 2 3-6 7. Totals 10 8-18 28.
