Wildcat boys claim first-ever PHAC postseason tourney title
SUNBURY, PA- Central Mountain’s record-breaking basketball season hit another milestone Friday night. Its extremely hard-earned, 59-54 win over Shamokin gave the Wildcats the school’s first ever Pennsylvania Heartland Athletic Conference crown, best of all schools in the PHAC’s three divisions.
The victory moved the Wildcats to 22-2 on the year, tying the school record for wins set by the 2001 team which went 22-3.
But the title did not come without difficulty. CM trailed briefly early, jumped on top and opened a 24-11 lead late in period two. But the youthful Indians rallied and a buzzer-beat three from Cameron Annis brought the Indians to within five at 26-19.
Shamokin forged into the lead in period three, 39-36 as the quarter wound down. But Central Mountain went on an eight point run, sparked by 3-pointers from Xavier Persun and Hayden Pardoe, to take a 44-39 lead heading into the final quarter.
Shamokin would not go away, chipping the lead to 51-50 with just a couple minutes remaining. The Wildcats, namely Pardoe and Essex Taylor, made their foul shots down the stretch to maintain the lead and secure the win.
The Wildcat starters logged a lot of minutes on the night and Jack Hanna was all over the court, scoring 17 points and drawing foul after foul. Pardoe finished with 18 and sophomore Hunter Hoy with 12. Taylor netted 6 and was a dynamo on defense. Levi Schlesinger scored 3 and helped the Wildcats control the defensive boards; Persun finished with 3 points.
Sophomore Joe Hile led the Indians with 19 points, followed by Case Litchy with 13.
The two teams had split their regular season games, each wining at home as the Wildcats finished one game ahead of Shamokin in the PHAC’s Division I. The Indians are now 16-7 on the year and will move into the District 4 postseason.
The Wildcats now prep for a home District 4-6 semifinal game next Wednesday night against Hollidaysburg (10-12). Coach Tyler Bardo’s team is the defending district champ.
