CLARION – Smethport and Kane will play for the District 9 Class
AA boys basketball championship Friday night.
On Monday, the Hubbers edged Redbank Valley 39-37, while Kane
topped Karns City 55-42.
Zak Kossack scored 14 points to pace Smethport (21-4).
Smethport jumped to a 14-10 first-quarter lead, but then
struggled the next two periods.
“We had a great first quarter,” Smethport coach Jay Acker said.
“We played great. Our shots were going in.
“Then we had two quarters where we looked horrible. We couldn’t
do anything. Redbank was able to get fast break layups. We played
bad.”
But Smethport was able to rally from eight points down in the
fourth quarter to get the triumph.
“We kept hanging around,” Acker noted. “There were a couple huge
momentum swings when Zach Meyers hit a three-pointer to tie it and
Kossack hit a three-pointer to put us ahead 35-32 with two minutes
left.”
Acker credits his team’s defense for assisting in the rally.
“We were able to mix it up,” he admitted. “I think that confused
Redbank. We got some crucial steals and ran some clock.”
The Hubbers were able to win despite making only 4-of-10 shots
from the foul line in the fourth quarter.
“We seem to be able to overcome whatever obstacle there is,”
Acker declared. “These guys are a special team.”
Acker said he believes this is the first time a Smethport High
boys basketball team has reached a district title game.
“It’s a pretty neat feeling,” he replied.
Commenting on what he expects Friday against Kane, Acker said,
“This will be the third time playing them. We beat them twice
during the regular season. It’s not going to be easy. At least we
know what to expect.”
Leading RV (15-10) were Joe Monteleone (12 points) and Mike
Booher (10 points).
Carrying Kane (15-10) in its victory were John Bizzak (17
points, 20 rebounds) and Cory Waigand (14 points).
The Wolves outscored Karns City 18-5 in the second quarter to
take a 27-17 lead into the locker room.
Kane outscored KC 28-25 in the second half.
Karns City ends its season 16-9.
Friday’s title game will start at 8 o’clock at Clarion
University.
