Big second half lifts Rollers past Central Mountain, 81-76

By Bees O’Brien

LEWISTOWN- The Central Mountain Wildcats boys basketball team found themselves in the consolation contest of the Justin Henry Scholarship Trust Tournament against Steelton-Highspire on Thursday afternoon.

The Rollers would erase a 14-point halftime deficit to down the Wildcats in what would turn out to be a wild, three-point contest.

Both teams would combine for 21 made baskets from beyond the arc, with Steel High connecting on 12 of those and ultimately downing Central Mountain 81-76 to claim the third-place prize.

CM started off hot by gaining a 20-10 first quarter lead on the Rollers and they continued to roll Steel High in the second quarter. The Wildcats’ 22-18 second quarter advantage had them up by 14 at the break.

Steel High bombed away in the second half. Their 27-14 third quarter had them down just one point at 56-55 heading into the final quarter.

In the fourth quarter, it would be the Rollers turn to roll and they did. Steel High outscored Central Mountain 26-20 in the game’s final stanza, enough to overcome their deficit heading into the quarter to give them the victory.

Hunter Hoy and Xavier Persun both led the Wildcats with 21 points each. Max Verrelli added 10 points, while Jeremy Reese contributed 9 points.

Steelton-Highspire was led by 25 points from Magnus, 14 points from Crawford and Johnson’s 10 points. Steel High improved to 3-3 on the season.

Central Mountain, now 6-2 will next be in action on January 3 when they host Shikellamy.

Steel High 10 18 27 26 – 81

CM 20 22 14 20 – 76

CM (76)

Myers 1 2-4 4, Hoy 6 5-6 21, Mahoney 3 0-1 6, Reese 4 0-0 9, Foltz 0 1-2 1, Walker 2 0-0 4, Grenninger 0 2-2 2, Persun 8 0-0 21, Verrelli 4 0-0 10, TOTALS- 28 10-15 76

3FG- 9 (Persun 5, Verrelli 2, Hoy, Reese)