Gremlins return to KSAC title game
CLARION — Unlike the first three quarters, the final eight minutes of Friday’s KSAC boys basketball semifinal was a struggle for Karns City.
Eleven turnovers and a 1-of-7 effort from the field frustrated the Gremlins after they had scored 57 points in the first 24 minutes of the game against Clarion.
But a 10-point cushion entering the fourth period and key defensive stops late left the lull as a mere footnote as KC survived in a 61-58 decision over the Bobcats at Clarion University.
“We gutted it out and fortunately, were able to hold on for the win,” said KC coach Zach Kepple.
Behind 57-47 at the beginning of the fourth quarter, Clarion’s 9-2 spurt pulled it to within 59-56 with 3:27 left in the game.
But the only points remaining in the team’s tank came on Dawson Smail’s bucket with under two seconds left. The Bobcats stole the inbound pass, which was heaved to midcourt, but Clarion was unable to get a shot off before the buzzer.
KC had bumped its lead to 61-56 with Taite Beighley’s two free throws with 26 seconds left.
Though the Bobcats (15-8) had closed the gap, their 4-of-15 showing from the field and two free throws in the fourth was simply not enough to overtake Karns City (17-6).
“Nobody likes to lose, but if I’m going to lose, I’d rather do it with players who have heart instead of just going through the motions,” said Clarion coach Tom Lewis. “We could have laid down, but our kids have heart.”
Indeed, it would have been easy for the Bobcats to let frustration take over as the Gremlins were hitting shots inside and out over the first three quarters. Shane Peters led all scorers with 18 points, many coming on his smooth baseline jumper.
Jacob Callihan scored 10 points in support.
KC’s potent outside shooters made six treys, including three from Taite Beighley.
Every time the Bobcats made a bit of a run, the Gremlins would knock down a shot or two to push the lead back to double-digits.
Clarion’s 8-0 run that spanned the second and third quarters brought it to within 38-30. The Gremlins answered with a 9-3 spurt, capped by Hobie Bartoe’s trey for a 47-33 advantage with six minutes left in the third.
In a mid-January meeting with Clarion, KC’s offense was stymied in a 47-43 loss.
“We shot 50 percent from the field in that game, but 22 turnovers and missed free throws killed us,” Kepple said.
On Friday, the Gremlins turned the ball over just five times in the first three periods, adding punch to the onslaught.
“We brought the intensity tonight,” said Callihan. “We were cutting to the basket, making the right passes and everyone was hitting shots.”
Gabe Simko scored 16 points for Clarion and Bryce Brinkley added 15.
The Gremlins return to the KSAC title game Saturday night against Clarion-Limestone. KC fell to C-L in last year’s final.
The Gremlins enter the game having won six straight contests.
“It feels good to be back,” Callihan said. “We want to keep things rolling into the district playoffs.”
KARNS CITY 61
Hobie Bartoe 2 1-1 6, Taite Beighley 3 4-6 13, Luke Cramer 3 0-0 7, Jacob Callihan 4 2-3 10, Shane Peters 9 0-1 18, Cole Johnston 3 0-0 7, Colson Ritzert 0 0-0 0. Totals: 24 7-11 61.
CLARION 58
Dawson Smail 4 0-0 8, Devon Lauer 5 0-2 11, Bryce Brinkley 4 4-4 15, Gabe Simko 7 2-2 16, Dereck Smail 1 2-2 4, Dauntae Girvan 1 0-0 2, Tanner Miller 1 0-0 2. Totals: 23 8-10 58.
Karns City 17 21 19 4 — 61
Clarion 8 20 19 11 — 58
3-point goals: Karns City 6 (Beighley 3, Cramer, Johnston, Bartoe); Clarion 4 (Brinkley 3, Lauer).
Saturday: Karns City vs. Clarion-Limestone, KSAC Championship at Clarion University, 8 p.m.
