CM suffers 65-67 Senior Night loss to Chestnut Ridge at the buzzer

By Bees O’Brien

MILL HALL- Nate Whysong would light up Central Mountain for 27 points on Saturday night, but none would be bigger than his layup as time expired to lift Chestnut Ridge to huge victory, 67-65.

Whysong’s heroics put a damper on a huge comeback attempt from the Wildcats on Senior Night.

Central Mountain played from behind the entire game and wouldn’t take a lead until a big Blake Walker three-pointer with under 4 minutes remaining, but the Lions would quickly answer to once again retake the lead.

Xavier Persun became the Wildcats’ ace in the fourth quarter. The senior would score 11 of his 17 points in the final frame, including three from way down town.

CM trailed by just two points after one quarter, 16-14. The Lions, who came into the contest with a 17-3 record would quickly prove why they’re District V’s top 3A team by going on an 18-9 spurt in the second quarter to take a 34-23 lead at the break.

The Wildcats would own much of the second half. Their 42-33 advantage in the half would help their comeback cause, but it was not meant to be on this night.

Hunter Hoy led the Wildcats with 18 points. Senior Xavier Persun finished with 17 points, while Caleb Mahoney added 9 in the loss.

Whysong’s 27 led Chestnut Ridge. Gavin Lazor and Jarod Wolphope each added 13 for the now 18-3 Lions.

Central Mountain seniors Brady Myers, Kevin Grenninger, Hayden Long, Nohemiah Omo-Osagie, Xavier Persun and Devon Charles were honored before the game on Senior Night.

CM fell to 13-8 on the season and look to be headed for a roadtrip to Hollidaysburg (17-4) in the upcoming District 4/6 5A Subregional playoffs. Next up for Central Mountain will be a road trip to Williamsport (4-13) on Tuesday.

CR 16 18 16 17 = 67

CM 14 9 20 22 = 65

CM (65)

Myers 4 0-1 8, Hoy 5 7-10 18, Mahoney 4 0-0 9, Reese 1 1-2 3, Walker 2 0-0 5, Grenninger 1 0-0 3, Long 1 0-0 2, Omo-Osagie 0 0-0 0, Persun 7 0-0 17, Verrelli 0 0-0 0, Charles 0 0-0 0, TOTALS- 25 8-13 65

3FG- 7 (Persun 3, Hoy, Mahoney, Walker, Grenninger)