Bulldogs Drain 26 Treys in 2 Games

Fourteen 3-pointers were not enough to help the Claysburg-Kimmel High School boys' basketball team in its season opener Jan. 20.

Host Tussey Mountain rallied from an eight-point halftime deficit to sneak past the Bulldogs, 54-52. C-K had a 36-28 halftime advantage, but the Titans had a 26-16 scoring edge in the final 16 minutes.

"It was our first game – we were nervous, "C-K coach Mike Harris said. "However, we had too many turnovers down the stretch. We aren't very big, and Tussey killed us on the boards – especially on the offensive end."

Sophomore Wyatt Buell and senior Mason Patton each hit four 3-pointers and finished with 12 points to lead C-K. Senior Parker Dibert hit three 3-pointers and finished with nine points, while senior Owen Bradley chipped in with eight points.

"It's early in this crazy season – so we'll just keep working, and get better," Harris said.

Tussey converted eight of its 20 opportunities from the foul line, while C-K was 0-for-3.

Chad Morningstar paced Tussey Mountain with 15 points.

West Branch 69, C-K 53

The host Bulldogs had another big night draining 3-pointers – finishing with 12 – but West Branch hit 13 treys and scored a 69-53 victory Jan. 22.

West Branch led 18-14 after one quarter and 30-24 at the break. The visitors won the second half by a 39-29 margin.

"Tough game on Friday for us, but we battled the entire game," C-K coach Mike Harris said. "West Branch has a couple of really good players, who can really shoot, and we were matching them shot for shot early on, but we made too many mistakes down the stretch."

Junior Wyatt Buell led C-K with a career-high 27 points, including seven 3-pointers. Senior Parker Dibert hit three 3-pointers and finished with 10 points for the Bulldogs. Senior Mason Patton hit two 3-pointers in the setback.

West Branch converted 12 of its 29 opportunities from the foul line, where C-K was 1-for-3.

"We are getting better, and our kids never gave up, as they fought the entire game," Harris said.

"We cut it to 10 with five minutes left in the fourth, but we just couldn't get over the hump," the Bulldog coach said. "Offensively, we worked the ball really well, and took good shots – they just didn't fall. We need to keep working on our defense, but it's getting better."