Cole Johnston’s last-second layup lifts Karns City boys basketball to big win over Keystone

December 12, 2025 Last Updated: December 12, 2025 10:55 PM Sports

Karns City’s Coe Johnston (11) takes it to the rim against Keystone in a boys basketball game Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

KARNS CITY — With his team trailing by one with 11 seconds on the clock, Karns City coach Jalen Price called two plays during a timeout.

His players picked the right one.

Junior guard Cole Johnston sank a layup with 7.8 seconds to play and the Gremlins held on for a 51-50 home boys basketball win over Keystone Friday night.

“It was a lot for the kids to digest, but I called one play if they (Keystone) were coming out in a 2-3 zone, another if they were man-to-man,” Price said. “Credit to the players for recognizing the defense and executing the play.”

“We could tell right away they were in a zone,” Johnston said. “I told Josh (Peters) to screen off the guy in the middle, and I had a clear path. All I had to do after that was lay the ball in.”

The bucket marked the 14th lead change of the night. The Panthers (0-3) still had a chance to pull out the victory, but Ethan Corcetti’s 3-point shot from the left corner deflected off the back of the rim as time expired.

“He got a good look and he’s a good shooter,” Keystone coach Greg Heath said of Corcetti. “Sometimes the shot just doesn’t go in.”

Neither team ever led by more than seven points. The Gremlins (3-2) had a 16-9 edge at the end of the first quarter, but Keystone scored the first eight points to begin the second period. The game remained tight the rest of the way.

Karns City’s Xavier Bartoe (23) celebrates a 51-50 win over Keystone in a boys basketball game Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

Karns City won the game despite shooting just 30% from the floor for the night and missing 5 of 8 free throws in the fourth quarter.

“This team has a new look this season, with both coaching and the players on the floor,” Johnston said. “People come to our games expecting us to win and do well. Tonight, I feel like we proved we can.”

Johnston led the Gremlins with 17 points, four assists and three steals. Xavier Bartoe had 12 points and five rebounds, Keagan Schrecengost 10 points and eight boards.

“Xavier is a sophomore, and we have him guarding the opponent’s best player every game,” Price said. “This was our third game this week. That’s a grueling run for him, but he never asks for a break. I love his effort.

“The way our guys handled adversity and executed in the closing seconds tonight will help this team and help this program moving forward.”

Dom Corcetti paced Keystone with 18 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. Connor Burns scored 10 points.

Keystone played without three starters. The Panthers lost two players for the season to football injuries, and their starting center suffered an ankle injury recently.

The Panthers played their first game since the season-opening tip-off tournaments as they had two games postponed due to inclement weather since.

“I didn’t know what to expect tonight,” Heath said. “Our kids played hard. We’ve been making good use of our practice time. Things will come together.”

KEYSTONE 50

Dom Corcetti 7-17 1-2 18, Ethan Corcetti 1-5 0-0 2, Joe Spence 4-6 0-1 8, Connor Burns 4-8 0-2 10, Seth Slaugenhaupt 2-10 0-0 5, Bronson Irwin 2-6 2-2 7, Brady Dunlap 0-1 0-0 0. Totals: 20-53 3-7 50.

KARNS CITY 51

Owen Kaufman 2-3 0-0 4, Aaron Rupp 0-2 0-0 0, Bryce Galan 1-4 0-0 2, Cole Johnston 6-20 5-10 17, Keagan Schrecengost 3-7 4-6 10, Xavier Bartoe 3-12 4-4 12, Trevor Geibel 2-3 1-1 5, Josh Peters 1-6 1-2 3. Totals: 17-58 15-23 51.

Keystone 9 10 15 16 — 50

Karns City 16 6 15 14 — 51

3-point goals: Keystone 7 (D.Corcetti 3, Burns 2, Slaugenhaupt, Irwin), Karns City 2 (Bartoe 2)

Monday: Karns City at Cranberry

Karns City’s Coe Johnston (11) takes it to the rim against Keystone in a boys basketball game Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

Karns City’s Xavier Bartoe (23) celebrates a 51-50 win over Keystone in a boys basketball game Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

Karns City’s Joshu Peters (35) shoots a 3-pointer against Keystone in a boys basketball game Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

Karns City’s Bryce Galan (3) moves the ball under pressure in a boys basketball game Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, at Karns City High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw