Central Mountain falls to DuBois at the buzzer

By Kenny Varner Jr.
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Updated: December 23, 2018

By Kenny Varner

LOCK HAVEN – Still searching for that elusive first win of the season, the Central Mountain boys basketball team took a 36-26 lead in the final stanza in its game against DuBois Saturday.

Unfortunately for the Wildcats, the Beavers had different ideas and went directly at the heart of the Wildcats defense as they continually pushed the ball into center Chase Husted. Husted responded with a 10-point quarter and helped his team to the 44-43 last second victory.

Leading for three of the four quarters, Central Mountain got 22 from Collin Jones. Jones also had seven boards and six steals to pace the Wildcats.

Husted finished his night with a game-high 26-point effort and was a force to be reckoned with in the paint.

“This was the most engaged we were tonight 1-11. So this has definitely been the most engaged we’ve been all season.”, said Central Mountain Head Coach Tyler Bardo. “I think at the end of the day you do have to put the ball in the basket. That well kind of went dry. Our second halves have been ailing us all year. We had four turnovers in four possessions again tonight.”

In the first quarter, the Wildcats took the momentum early as Jones hit his team’s first four buckets as DuBois kept it close early on. Husted had four early points.

With Central Mountain leading by a 8-6 margin, Conner Soo roped a jumper to take the 10-6.

Central Mountain was able to hold onto the lead after one, posting a 12-8 advantage.

In the second, the Wildcats opened the period opened with a 9-2 run.

In the scoring blitz the Wildcats got buckets from Aidan Major, Soo, Collins and Zane Probst, upping the lead to 21-10.

Leading the way offensively for Central Mountain in the second quarter was Major with three.

DuBois got a six point effort by Husted.

Husted was the only player from his team to score in the period.

Husted brought his team to within seven as the half ended, posting four in the final two minutes.

Central Mountain continued to roll in the third as it was able to build a 10-point advantage as the final stanza arrived, 36-26.

The Wildcats’ started lead started to dissolve as the Beavers went back to work inside, feeding the ball to Husted.

As the game entered its final minute, the Wildcats still only trailed by two.

Central Mountain started off with four consecutive turnovers while DuBois made the most of the early chances, closing in quickly to the home team’s advantage.

A bucket and foul on Collins put him at the line, giving his team a 43-42 lead with 38.0.

But there were too much time on the clock and the Beavers took the ball and went back inside but this time they went to Jonathan Cruz. Cruz did not disappoint as he put it in, taking a 44-43 lead.

DuBois’ Husted finished in the period with 10 while Jones led the Wildcats with a 5-point effort.

Central Mountain was able to get a last shot off but it hit the rim and bounced off the rim.