KARNS CITY — Karns City was looking for a quick shot in the arm and found it.

Only West Shamokin shot back.

The Gremlins (11-6) shot out to a 21-5 lead early in the second quarter of their home boys basketball game Saturday night. But when West Shamokin freshman Bo Swartz sank a trey with 7:25 left in the game, the Wolves had a 38-37 advantage.

It would be the visitors' only lead of the night as KC rebuilt an advantage at the free throw line and held on for a 51-49 victory.

“Wev were looking for some quick momentum after our tough loss (to Redbank Valley) Friday night,” Karns City coach Chris Bellis said. “We started the game with fullcourt pressure, got some early turnovers and built that big lead.

“Eventually, they figured out how to break our press, so we had to switch up.”

The Gremlins peeled back into more of a half-court defensive mode, but West Shamokin (14-5) used a hot-shooting third quarter to get back in the game.

The Wolves connected on eight of 11 shots from the floor in the third period, including two treys. They missed 10 of their first 12 shots in the game.

A layup by Nathan Waltman gave the Gremlins a 39-38 lead with 6:50 left. KC never lost that edge.

“We made just enough free throws to hold on,” Bellis said.

Karns City scored its final nine points from the charity stripe. Austin Fahlor sank four free throws, Chase Beighley three and Waltman two down the stretch.

Waltman's two free throws gave KC a 51-44 lead with 21.9 seconds left. Justin Smulik sank a trey and Jack McCullough stuck back an offensive rebound for West Shamokin, but the Wolves ran out of time.

“This win gives us momentum for Tuesday night,” Beighley said. “When your confidence is high, you make free throws.

“We felt good about our chances coming into this game.”

The Gremlins defeated West Shamokin, 55-53, in the latter's holiday tournament Dec. 27.

“They are a good Triple-A team and this is a good game for us every year,” Bellis said. “It was good for us to play another game after our loss Friday.

“We can put ourselves in position to win the KSAC South with a win at Keystone Tuesday. They lead us by a game, but we've already beaten them this year. If we do it again, we'll own the tiebreaker.”

Beighley described this Tuesday's game at Keystone as “our season, at least to this point.”

Beighley had 14 points and six assists to lead the Gremlins Saturday. Waltman had 10 points and four rebounds, Fahlor nine points and three assists.

Carson Dewitt scored 16 points and had seven rebounds for West Shamokin. He scored his 1,000th career point in the first half. Smulik had 12 points for the Wolves.

West Shamokin coach Mike Nagy could not be reached for comment.

WEST SHAMOKIN 49

Bo Swartz 1-4 0-0 3, Jack McCullough 1-3 0-0 2, Tyler Lightcap 1-4 0-0 3, Carson Dewitt 6-11 4-6 16, Tyler Sweeney 2-4 0-0 4, Justin Smulik 5-6 0-0 12, Trevor Smulik 1-9 0-0 3, Nate Zik 1-3 0-0 2, Ethan Libengood 2-2 0-0 4, Jaiden Haswell 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 20-46 4-6 49.

KARNS CITY 51

Josh Wimer 1-4 1-2 4, Ausrtin Fahlor 1-4 7-11 9, Erik Pfeifer 3-4 0-0 6, Chase Beighley 4-11 5-8 14, Ty Belles 0-0 0-0 0, Ethan McElroy 3-6 0-1 8, Luke Garing 0-1 0-0 0, Nathan Waltman 3-5 4-5 10. Totals: 15-35 17-26 51.

West Shamokin 4 13 18 14 — 49

Karns City16 12 9 14 — 51

3-point goals: Swartz, Lightcap, J.Smulik 2, T.Smulik; Wimer, Beighley, McElroy 2

JV: West Shamokin, 45-20 (WS: Ezeck Olinger 13; KC: Ty Belles 9)

Tuesday: Karns City at Keystone