From staff reports

Karns City’s boys and Knoch’s girls both had fourth-quarter leads in their respective second-round PIAA basketball tournament games over the weekend, but neither was able to hold on.

The Gremlins dropped a 51-46 decision to Old Forge in a Class 2A game in Lewistown late Sunday afternoon. The Lady Knights bowed to Delone Catholic, 34-28, in a Class 4A game Saturday in Altoona.

With less than a quarter to play, Knoch’s girls were making plays, offensively and defensively, to knock off a one-loss Delone Catholic squad.

Karlee Buterbaugh’s basket early in the fourth period put the Knights up 28-27 and a trip to the quarterfinals was just over six minutes away.

But that’s when the well dried up on the Knights and their season.

Delone held Knoch scoreless the rest of the game and the Squires prevailed at Altoona High School.

Makenna Mummert drained two free throws with 5:38 left in the game and Delone had the lead for good.

“There were a couple of turnovers in there, but we had opportunities to score,” said Knoch coach Chris Andreassi. “They (Squires) played good halfcourt defense and we missed shots.

“They like to press and you have to get them out of that,” added Andreassi. “You have to stay in your offense and hit shots and for most of the game, we did that.”

Against Knoch’s stout defense, the Squires managed just nine field goals, but outscored the Knights at the free throw line 13-1.

“We played man and were prepared for what they were going to do on offense,” Andreassi said. “We did everything we needed to do defensively. Our girls were outstanding.”

Knoch was led by Buterbaugh’s nine points. Giana Hoddinott scored 12 to pace the Squires and Emily McCann scored 11, including three treys.

Delone, the District 3 champion, improved to 28-1 on the season.

The Knights, who placed second in the WPIAL, finish the campaign 22-4. It was a historic year in several respects.

“It was a year of firsts for us,” said Andreassi. “Our first-ever section title, first trip to the WPIAL final and first trip to the state playoffs. The girls made their mark.”

KNOCH 28

Karlee Buterbaugh 4 1-3 9, Hattie McGraw 2 0-0 5, Naturelle Ewing 2 0-0 5, Nina Shaw 3 0-0 6, Madilyn Boyer 1 0-0 3, CeCe Kosecki 0 0-0 0, Mackenzie McGraw 0 0-0 0. Totals: 12 1-3 28.

DELONE CATHOLIC 34

Abigael Vingsen 1 1-2 3, Giana Hoddinott 5 2-3 12, Makenna Mummert 0 4-4 4, Maggie Hughes 0 4-7 4, Emily McCann 3 2-2 11. Totals: 9 13-18 34.

Knoch 7 9 10 2 — 28

Delone Catholic 10 6 8 10 — 34

3-point goals: Knoch 3 (Boyer, H.McGraw, Ewing); Delone Catholic 3 (McCann 3).

Old Forge 51, Karns City 46 — The Gremlins (20-8) took a 37-31 lead into the fourth quarter Sunday, but were outscored 20-9 in the final eight minutes.

Lake Cramer led Karns City with 18 points while Cole Sherwin struck for 14. The pair combined to sink five 3-pointers.

“The players played hard for four quarters and we did a lot of good things tonight,” Karns City coach Zach Kepple said. “But we struggled late in the game to take care of the ball and limit second chances.

“Old Forge did a nice job of turning up the pressure late in the game and out-rebounded us in the second half.”

Ayden Davitt scored 20 points to lead Old Forge (17-9). Joe Macciucco and Mario Samony scored 11 points each.

Karns City sank 15 of 19 free throws to stay in the game. Old Forge was only 4 of 7 from the charity stripe.

“Overall, I feel the season went well. We developed as a team,” Kepple said. “Even on nights when we weren’t firing on all cylinders, we found ways to win games and that says a lot about the character of the players on this team.”

KARNS CITY 46

Cole Sherwin 14, Taite Beighley 6, Braden Grossman 2, Luke Cramer 18, Micah Rupp 6. Totals: 14 15-19 46.

OLD FORGE 51

Ayden Davitt 20, Anthony Mucciolo 5, Joe Macciuccio 11, Matt Kuckla 2, Mario Samoby 11, Sean Hill 2. Totals: 21 4-7 51.

Karns City 14 13 10 9 — 46

Old Forge 13 8 10 20 — 51

3-point goals: Karns City 5 (Sherwin 3, Cramer 2), Old Forge 3 (Savitt 2, Macciuccio)