Central Mountain fends off Beavers in season opening victory

By Bees O’Brien

MILL HALL- Central Mountain’s boys basketball team got off on the right track in their season opener at home against District 9’s Dubois with a 54-47 victory.

The Beavers came to play and presented the Wildcats with a challenge early on, but 18 points from Hunter Hoy and a barrage of Darius Shade fourth quarter three-point baskets would fend off the visiting Dubois squad.

Dubois jumped out to a 12-10 lead on the Wildcats after one quarter of play. Defensive efforts and poor shooting resulted in a slow second quarter, which saw Central Mountain climb to within one point following an 8-7 second quarter in favor of CM.

The Beavers failed to completely go away in the fourth quarter, but the reserve Shade heated up. Shade drilled a trio of fourth quarter three-point baskets, which was part of a 20-point final frame for the Wildcats. The Beavers managed just 14 points, which wouldn’t be enough on this night.

Hoy’s 18 led all scorers. Max Verrelli had a solid night for the Wildcats by compiling 15 points. Shade’s three trifectas would account for his 9 points.

Maddox Bennett led Dubois with 12 points and Noah Farrell chipped in with a 10-point night for the Beavers.

Now at 1-0 the Wildcats will set their sites on the Milton Tip-off Tournament this weekend. That field includes the host Black Panthers, 2A State Playoff qualifiers Northwest and a talented Warrior Run squad.

Dubois                                  12           7              14         14          47

Central Mountain            10           8              16           20         54

CM- Walker 1 0-1  2, Verrelli 7 0-0  15, Hoy 5 7-12  18, Mahoney 3 1-1  7, Reese 1 1-2  3, Wells 1 1-2  3, Shade 3 0-0  9, Dorman 0 0-0  0, TOTALS- 21 10-18  56

3FG- 5 (Shade 3, Hoy, Verrelli)