Back on Track
KARNS CITY — His team’s effort in a recent 36-34 loss to North East was still weighing on the mind of Karns City boys basketball coach Zach Kepple.
“We came out flat and just never showed much energy in that game,” he said of the lackluster performance.
Kepple was looking for his team to bounce back against visiting Keystone on Friday and the Gremlins did not disappoint. Luke Cramer scored a game-high 20 points and Taite Beighley added 16 as KC dominated the Panthers 68-30.
The Gremlins turned a close game into a rout by outscoring Keystone 24-4 in the second period.
“Like a lot of games, I thought both teams were feeling each other out in the first quarter, but I could tell there was something different at the start of the second,” said Kepple. “We were tipping passes on defense and getting some transition points. From that point on, I knew it was the kind of effort we were looking for.”
The Gremlins (2-1) led 17-13 entering the second period, but forward Shane Peters netted a pair of buckets inside and Jacob Callihan drove the baseline for another basket to push KC’s lead to 10 points. Keystone’s Dom Corcetti briefly broke the momentum with a basket for the Panthers, but the Gremlins were soon back at it, hitting 10 of 14 attempts from the floor in the quarter and enjoying a 41-17 lead at halftime.
Beighley, the team’s point guard, dished out 10 assists and also added eight rebounds.
“Coach is always emphasizing getting on the glass and it’s all about who wants it more,” said Beighley, who helped KC win the battle for rebounds 32-23.
Beighley brings a wealth of varsity experience to his position. Hobie Bartoe, another guard, is also back after starting last year. Cramer, who pulled down 10 rebounds against Keystone, missed all of his junior season to injury but is now fully healthy.
Throw in Peters, who at 6-foot-6 could become a matchup nightmare for opposing teams, and solid role players, and it’s easy to see why the Gremlins have lofty hopes for the season. Kepple said they include a conference title, KSAC tournament championship and a deep playoff run.
“We know we can beat most, if not all the teams in the district,” Beighley said. “It’s all going to come down to execution.”
Junior guard Drew Keth led the Panthers (0-3) with 10 points.
KEYSTONE 30
Eli Nellis 2 0-0 4, Drew Keth 4 0-0 10, Dom Corcetti 4 0-0 9, Aiden Patrick 1 1-2 3, Xavier Van Tassel 1 0-2 2, Drew Slaugenhaupt 1 0-0 2. Totals: 13 1-4 30.
KARNS CITY 68
Colson Ritzert 3 0-0 7, Hobie Bartoe 3 0-0 7, Taite Beighley 7 0-2 16, Luke Cramer 8 3-5 20, Jacob Callihan 3 1-2 7, Shane Peters 3 0-0 6, Jacob Jones 2 0-0 5. Totals: 29 4-9 68.
Keystone 13 4 7 6 — 30
Karns City 17 24 16 11 — 68
3-point goals: Keystone 3 (Keth 2, Corcetti); Karns City 6 (Beighley 2, Cramer, Bartoe, Ritzert, Jones).
Tuesday: Karns City at Cranberry
