‘Shore’s Ewing Spoils CM Senior Night, 55-54

AdminFebruary 6, 2019Last Updated: February 6, 2019

2 minutes read

BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP – Central Mountain and Jersey Shore, both struggling for wins this season, didn’t care about their records when they squared off at the Central Mountain gym Wednesday night. It was a rivalry game that kept the crowd on edge for all 32 minutes.

And the contest was not decided until 1.2 seconds remained when Bulldog junior guard Nate Ewing drained a 30-footer, propelling the visiting Bulldogs to a pulsating 55-54 victory. Ewing had been held to 3 points in the first half, but exploded with six 3-pointers in the second half, four coming in the final period, including the game-winner.

The ‘Shore win ended a 13-game Bulldog losing streak and spoiled senior night for Central Mountain where seniors Collin Jones, JT Pentz, Jake Skrtich, Tanner Lavelle and Logan Fisher along with senior managers, Makayla Brungard, Sloane Tressler and Abby Weaver were recognized before the game.

Neither team could pull away. Central Mountain built a 12-6 lead after period one, Jersey Shore pulling within 3 at the end of the half, 21-18 the Wildcats at that point. Jersey Shore’s Ewing and sophomore Trevor Gee came alive in period three and the visitors opened up their largest lead at 35-29 as the period wound down.

The final period saw the Wildcats regain the lead behind 9 points from Jones and 7 from junior Conner Soo. CM would maintain a late lead as the Wildcats made 10-of-12 foul shots down the stretch, but both Jones and Soo missed their final shots. Junior Zane Probst added two foul shots and Skrtich swished a three earlier in the period. But every time it looked like Central Mountain might open a lead of more than a couple, Ewing answered with a bomb.

Soo made the first of two foul shots with 12.3 seconds to go to make it 54-52 CM but missed the second and in a scramble for a loose ball, he was called for a travel with seven seconds remaining. Jersey Shore had one final chance and, after a timeout, worked the ball to the left wing to Ewing who drilled the game-winner with just over a second to go. Central Mountain had a foul to give but could not catch up to the slick Ewing. Wildcat coach Tyler Bardo, stunned by the loss, complimented Ewing for what he called “a great shot; we threw two guys at him with their hands up.”

Ewing finished with 27 points, Gee with 17. Jones paced CM with 19, Skrtich with 13, including 10 in the second half, and Soo with 11. Pentz had 4 points, Zane Probst 3, with 2 each from Lavelle and Fisher.

Jersey Shore is 6-14 after the win, Central Mountain 5-14 after the loss. ‘Shore avenged a 74-61 loss to the Wildcats on Jan. 11.

Coach Bardo called the contest “a beauty of a game” and said the coaching staff task now will be to get the Wildcats ready for another game this week, Thursday at home with District 6 Class 5A foe Hollidaysburg (9-9), the varsity game a 6 p.m. start. The week will conclude with a trip to Mifflin County (0-20) on Saturday at 7:30 p.m..

This slideshow requires JavaScript.