Wildcats Fight Hard Against Forest Hills but Fall Short in Home Contest

MILL HALL – On paper, it appeared that the 12-1 Forest Hills Rangers would overpower the 5-6 Central Mountain Wildcats. However, in front of their home crowd, the Wildcats showed resilience, grit, and determination, making the Rangers earn their 85-77 victory.

The Wildcats kept the game competitive throughout, refusing to back down against one of the top teams in the region. Despite falling behind early, Central Mountain rallied in the second half, fueled by strong performances from several key players. Hunter Hoy led the Wildcats with a stellar 30-point performance, keeping the team within striking distance. Noah Wells added 13 points, providing consistency on both ends of the floor. Blake Walker contributed 9 points, while Darius Shade chipped in 8. Max Verrelli added 7 points, and both Jeremy Reese and Isah Dorman scored 5 points apiece.

For Forest Hills, Dylan Stohon was the standout, pouring in 30 points to lead the Rangers. Brandon Gregovich followed with 21 points, delivering crucial baskets throughout the game to keep the Rangers ahead.

The Rangers jumped out to an early lead, outscoring Central Mountain 23-16 in the first quarter. The Wildcats battled back in the second, keeping the deficit manageable at halftime, 42-33. A strong third quarter by both teams kept the pace high, with Forest Hills narrowly holding onto their lead going into the final frame.

In the fourth quarter, Central Mountain’s defensive intensity and offensive bursts brought the home crowd to their feet as the Wildcats clawed within striking distance. Hoy’s 30-point effort, including some clutch baskets late, kept the game close, but Forest Hills’ consistency at the free-throw line helped seal the victory.

The Wildcats, now 5-7 on the season, will look to bounce back when they host Selinsgrove on Wednesday night.