Final Effort Propels DuBois past Wildcats, 44-43

BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP – Central Mountain began their game with visiting DuBois making all the right steps and looked to be on their way to their first victory of the season. Then late in the fourth quarter when a few key turnovers and improved shot selections by the Beavers allowed them to edge the Wildcats 44-43 with just seconds remaining in the game.

The Wildcats built a comfortable 36-26 lead by the end of the third quarter, then DuBois turned on their best offensive effort of the day to outpace the hosts 18-7 down the stretch for the win.

DuBois took the lead with 8 seconds remaining in the game with Collin Jones driving the ball up the court but his shot just missed the mark to change CM’s fortune.

“We allowed it to get to a back-and-forth situation there at the end,” said CM head coach, Tyler Bardo, “We executed the shot we wanted after the timeout, we just didn’t hit the shot.”

“I thought we had an opportunity to put it away,” explained Bardo about their early lead in the game, “But, seven turnovers of your first 10 possessions of the second half isn’t going to allow you to do that. If you let a team hang around, they’re going to get you.”

Jones finished the day with 22 points and 7 rebounds followed by Conner Soo with 8 points and Aiden Major with 5 points. Tanner Lavelle, JT Pentz, Jake Skrtich and Zane Probst all had 2 point each for the ‘Cats.

The loss takes Central Mountain to 0-5 on the season.

The Wildcats will be off until after the holiday break and will return to action on Friday, Jan. 4, 2019 when they will host Shikellamy.