KNOX — A 9-0 run to close the third quarter put Karns City right on Clarion's heels, but the Gremlins' rally short-circuited, ending their season.

After going 5½ minutes without scoring, the Bobcats came to life at the start of the final period and never let KC pull even in a 54-48 victory in Thursday night's District 9 Class 2A boys basketball quarterfinal at Keystone High School.

Clarion's lead had been trimmed to 34-32 with eight minutes left in the game, but a pair of baskets from senior forward Nick Frederick settled things down for the Bobcats.

“We changed things up on defense in the third quarter, were able to create some turnovers and baskets,” said KC coach Chris Bellis. “They adjusted to it and we were never able to get it back.”

After Frederick's baskets, the Gremlins (13-9) cut Clarion's edge to four points twice in the fourth period, the second instance came with Micah Rupp's bucket that made it 43-39 with just over three minutes left.

Clarion junior guard Cal German, who averages over 20 points per game, made just two field goals in the second half. But others stepped up for the Bobcats (15-8), winners of seven straight.

Hunter Craddock and Skylar Rhoades joined Frederick in sinking clutch shots late in the game.

“We have three guys averaging between seven and 10 points per game,” said Clarion coach Scott Fox. “It seems every game one of them steps up. They facilitate each other and it's very important that we get that production.”

But the brunt of Karns City's frustration rested at the other end of the court. In a meeting with the Bobcats in early January, four Gremlins combined to score 58 points in a 70-55 victory for KC.

In the rematch last week, the Gremlins were held to 47 points in a loss and they produced just 48 Thursday.

“We got good looks tonight, had good shots from the perimeter, but we just didn't make 'em,” said Bellis.

Fox was focused on three players in particular.

“We wanted to key on Waltman inside, (Ethan) McElroy outside and wanted to keep Chase Beighley from driving,” he said. “If Karns City was going to beat us tonight, they were going to have to do it with other players, other than McElroy, from the outside.”

Beighley had two late treys as the Gremlins were scrambling for points and he finished the game with a team-high 21.

But through the first three quarters, KC made just two of its 15 attempts from beyond the arc.

The Gremlins faced a 34-23 hole with five minutes left in the third period. Waltman, Beighley and Luke Garing all contributed to the 9-0 spurt that had the Gremlins on the cusp of the district semifinals.

In the end, KC lacked the consistency it needed to advance.

“We haven't played well together in a while. Honestly, maybe even all year,” said Bellis. “But definitely lately, we went 3-5 in our last eight games.

“We had a nice mid-season run (four straight wins), but we just didn't finish strong. I'm a little disappointed.”

German led all scorers with 23 points, 11 of them coming in the first quarter.

KARNS CITY 48

Caiden Corbett 1 0-0 3, Micah Rupp 4 0-0 8, Chase Beighley 7 4-4 21, Ethan McElroy 1 0-0 3, Luke Garing 1 1-2 3, Nathan Waltman 2 5-8 10, Eric Booher 0 0-0 0. Totals: 16 10-14 48.CLARION 54

Cal German 8 6-7 23, Beau Verdill 1 0-0 2, Hunter Craddock 5 1-2 11, Josh Craig 0 1-2 1, Skylar Rhoades 5 0-1 10, Nick Frederick 2 3-4 7. Totals: 21 11-16 54.

Karns City 16 5 11 16 — 48

Clarion16 12 6 20 — 54

3-point goals: Karns City 6 (Beighley 3, McElroy, Waltman, Corbett); Clarion 1 (German).