Central Mountain’s road back to the state tournament begins at Selinsgrove Wednesday
By Bees O’Brien
MILL HALL- Central Mountain went an impressive 24-2 last season and hosted a first-round state playoff game. If the Wildcats wish to repeat that feat they will have to start their quest on the road. Central Mountain drew the three seed and will meet two seeded Selinsgrove in the PIAA 4/6 Subregional semifinals.
The Seals swept the Wildcats in two previous meetings this season, but Central Mountain is willing to show just what they’re capable of.
How They Got Here
Central Mountain started off as one of the hottest teams in the area. The Wildcats began the season by winning six games right out of the gate. Back-to-back losses to Mifflin County and Steel High. The Wildcats picked up big wins over St. John Neumann and Lewisburg towards the season’s end. Losses to a very good Chestnut Ridge team and 6A Williamsport to close the season put them at 13-9 entering the postseason.
Selinsgrove enters the semifinals at 15-7. Other than the two big wins over the Wildcats, they’ve compiled victories over Shamokin, Hughesville and Mifflin County to name a few. Losses to Danville and Loyalsock has the Seals, like the Wildcats entering this game on a two-game slide.
Key Players
Central Mountain’s explosive scorer Hunter Hoy will be one to keep an eye on. Hoy leads the team with 17.4 ppg. Deep ball threat Xavier Persun is having a breakout season in Mill Hall averaging 10.4 ppg. Guard Caleb Mahoney has been an excellent floor general for Tyler Bardo’s squad. Mahoney’s offense has been picking up steam as the season progresses. Brady Myers can mix it up with the best of them and leads CM in rebounds and field goal percentage. Max Verrelli has been instant offense from beyond the arc and Kevin Grenninger gives the Wildcats another threat from deep.
Hoy scored 30 points combined in the previous two meetings against the Seals. Mahoney scored 11 in each of those games.
Selinsgrove’s offense centers around forward Ries Naugle. Naugle killed the Wildcats by scoring 26 and 29 points in the previous two meetings. If Central Mountain doesn’t figure out an answer to Naugle, it might be a long trip back to Mill Hall.
The Rest Of The Field
Shikellamy edged Bellefonte to grab the four seed. The 12-10 Braves will make the long trip to Hollidaysburg to meet the 17-4 top seeded Golden Tigers. Cm/Selinsgrove winners will face the winners of this one for a spot in the upcoming PIAA state tournament. That final is scheduled for February 24 at 6pm at Mt. Aloysius College.
