Wildcats Regroup and Down Shikellamy, 73-46

BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP — Shaken by two recent road losses which took away any chance at the Heartland Conference title, the Central Mountain basketball team was badly in need of a win when they hosted Shikellamy on Senior Night Wednesday.

Coach Scott Baker’s Wildcats responded in a big way, breaking open a 29-29 halftime tie to pull away from the Braves by a final of 73-46. As Baker said afterwards, the previous road losses at Shamokin and Montoursville were like a “punch in the gut,” casting doubts about the team’s ability to recover. But recover they did, Baker stating he was “happy with the way they responded.” He said the squad will now begin work in preparation to achieve a pre-season goal of a District 6 title.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The Wildcats often live or die by their perimeter game and excelled against Shik, draining 12 3-pointers on the night, including a record-tying seven from senior Brody Baker. Coach Baker’s son finished with 23 points on the night and the coach lauded the effort the younger Baker has put into the game. He also saluted his son, a four-year letterman, for electing to sit out the start of the senior night contest so the other five seniors on the roster could all be in the starting lineup.

Baker’s seven three’s tied the school record set earlier this month by fellow senior Kyle Everhart who drained four of his own tonight. Everhart finished with 19. Other point producers were Nick Carpenetti, 8; Collin Jones, 7; Yash Adroja, 5; Justin Neff and Matt Storeman , 4 each; Wyatt Bumbarger, 3.

The win put the Wildcats at 14-6 with two regular season games to go, at Huntingdon Friday and home next Wednesday, Feb. 15 at home with Altoona. The District 6 Class 5A playoffs will begin the week of Feb. 20 and Central Mountain, vying for the number one seed with Hollidaysburg (13-6) likely will earn a home semifinal contest against either Bellefonte or DuBois.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.