CLARION — Moniteau was hanging in against Chestnut Ridge. Then Nate Whysong hit his stride.

In the last three quarters of Friday’s PIAA Class 3A boys basketball subregional playoff, the Lions’ 6-feet-3 senior scored 26 of his game-high 30 points as Ridge ran away with an 81-38 victory at Clarion University.

“He decided to take over the game,” Moniteau coach Mike Jewart said of Whysong. “Man, he is really good. And we had a complete lack of rebounding in the second half, which didn’t help.”

Chason Rugg hit a trey for Moniteau with 6:34 left in the first half, tying the score at 18.

Whysong’s four baskets in the period helped the Lions (22-4) build a double-digit lead, but their 34-23 lead at halftime was far from insurmountable.

“I actually thought we were still ok midway through the third quarter, but things really got away from us at that point,” said Jewart.

Ridge went on to outscore Moniteau 29-10 in the third and led 63-33 entering the fourth.

The Lions had a strong supporting cast behind Whysong, but he is the uncontested heart of the team.

“He’s one of the most complete basketball players I have ever seen,” said Ridge coach Don Ellis. “He’s great on offense and defense and is a leader.”

David Martino and Andrew Zepeda both scored 10 points for the Warriors (13-11), who will begin play in the state playoffs next Saturday against Mohawk, the third-place team from the WPIAL.

“Kids have short memories,” said Jewart. “I’m not concerned entering the state playoffs.”

CHESTNUT RIDGE 81

Justin Whysong 5 2-2 15, Isaiah Crocker 2 2-4 6, Jarod Wolfhope 3 1-1 7, Nate Whysong 12 5-6 30, Gavin Lazor 4 0-0 12, Cole Nicodemus 1 0-0 2, Chase Whysong 1 2-2 5, Noah Kauffman 1 0-0 3, Caden Hinson 0 1-2 1. Totals: 29 13-17 81.

MONITEAU 38

Chason Rugg 2 2-2 7, David Martino 4 0-0 10, Andrew Zepeda 4 2-3 10, Aydan Jackson 0 0-0 0, Landon Kelly 0 0-2 0, David Dessicino 1 0-0 2, Brendin Sankey 2 0-0 4, Dawson Cook 2 0-0 5. Totals: 15 4-7 38.

Chestnut Ridge 15 19 29 18 — 81

Moniteau 11 12 10 5 — 38

3-point goals: Chestnut Ridge 10 (Lazor 4, J.Whysong 3, N.Whysong, C.Whysong, Kauffman); Moniteau 4 (Martino 2, Rugg, Cook).

March 9: PIAA first round, TBA