Shamokin ends Wildcat undefeated streak with 69-51 win

COAL TOWNSHIP, PA – Basketball junkies pegged Central Mountain and Shamokin as the teams to beat this season in Division One of the Heartland Athletic Conference. Both teams lived up to their billing heading into their first cycle showdown at Shamokin Wednesday night; the Wildcats coming in at 10-0, the Indians 10-1. Shamokin left no doubt as to the better team on this night, round one on their home floor, breaking open a close game in period three and finishing with a 69-51 win.

The Indians hit 3s from the outside, found open shots inside and forced Central Mountain into 15 turnovers. The loss for CM ended a school-best 10-game wining streak to start the season, but coach Tyler Bardo said afterwards, “We’re going to be a lot better because of this.”

The coach noted the Wildcats lost a majority of loose balls and played “uncharacteristic offense.” He said the staff knew Shamokin “would present some different challenges.”

Central Mountain opened a 15-6 lead in the first period, but the Indians closed to 17-11 at the end of the first quarter. Shamokin took the Wildcats out of rhythm in period two, outscoring the visitors 19-6 to claim a 30-23 halftime lead. CM would close to within two, down 32-30 early in period three, but would get no closer.

The Wildcats’ 51 points represented a season-low, the team averaging well over 70 points a game coming in. Hayden Pardoe, kept in check for much of the game, finished strong with 6 final period points for a team-leading 13, Jack Hanna next with 11; both were averaging over 20 points a game in the previous ten contests. Essex Taylor and Hunter Hoy each scored 7, Levi Schlesinger with 6, Brady Myers with 5 and Dom Longworth with 2. The Wildcats were 3-of-9 from the foul line.

The Wildcats will try and start a new streak on Saturday when they host downriver rival Jersey Shore (2-7). Shamokin’s win put the Indians up one game in the Heartland Conference loss column over the Wildcats, 3-0 to 2-1. Central Mountain will host Shamokin on Friday, Jan. 27.

CM   17  6 15 13 = 51

S      11 19 17 22 = 69