Huskies’ give Cougars all they could bargain for

By Kenny Varner
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Updated: January 8, 2015

By Kenny Varner

LEWISTOWN – After upsetting the Harrisburg Cougars last year in their “house” the Mifflin County boys basketball team once again had them in sights, jumping out to an early lead and then tying the Cougars at 32 at the intermission.

However, a surging third quarter by Harrisburg put all the hopes of a second upset to the wayside as it outscored Mifflin County 13-4 in the period en route to the 64-52 victory over the Huskies Wednesday night at the Huskies gym.

Jahaad Proctor kept the Cougars in the game when the Huskies held the momentum and the tempo in the opening quarter, scoring all six of his teams opening period points.

Proctor continued to light things up from there finishing the night with a game-high 30-point effort while teammates Frank Wilson, Jr. and center Brennan Jackson both finished with 10 each. Jackson also finished the game with 13 boards, giving him a double-double on the evening.

Mifflin County got a sparkling effort from senior Evan Seby from the floor. Seby netted four triples en route to his 20-point performance for the home fans. Jack Packer also finished in double digits with a 12-point performance.

“At the end of the first half instead of taking the last shot with over minute left to go we missed a shot and they (Harrisburg) went on a 7-0 run at the half. Then after the half, they came back out and went on another 7-0 run. We let up and unfortunately you can’t let up on a team like that,” Mifflin County coach Shane Spencer. “For three and a half quarters we played good basketball. And it’s a progression. I was proud of how the kids played tonight.”

In the first quarter, Mifflin County took immediate control of the pace of the game, slowing to a very patient slow possession game.

Seby opened the game on a bucket underneath with 7:30 on the clock.

Proctor picked up an Huskies’ miscue and drove the ball down for the lay up, tying it.

Back came the Huskies posting consecutive baskets, one by Nate Koller and one by Blake Hunter.

After getting the ball after two misses by Jackson at the charity stripe, Seby again got the call and sent it up in traffic, upping its lead to 8-2.

Proctor was relentless at the hoop, taking the pass and went right at the basket, cutting the lead to 8-4.

Mifflin County ended the first quarter going on a 7-2 run, taking a 15-6 advantage as the first quarter buzzer sounded.

Center Jesse Rodgers got the second quarter off and running with a strong bucket in the hole, upping it to 17-6.

A jumper by Quentin Flemister put the Cougars on the scoreboard in the second as it began its journey back to the lead.

With two more consecutive buckets, Harrisburg pulled to within five, 17-12 with 6:04 left in the period.

In the run, the tempo started to move in the Cougars’ direction when its defense tightened and its offense loosened up.

After calling a time out with 6:04 left, Mifflin County went on a scoring run of its own. Led by a 3-point effort by Rodgers and Packer, Mifflin County extended its lead back to 11 points with 4:44 left until the half.

Both teams battled back and forth until the final minute when Harrisburg took a 32-25 deficit and tied it on a 7-0 run.

In the run, Proctor hit a buzzer beating triple to tie things.

Things didn’t fair too well in the third quarter for the Huskies when the Cougars were back at it, plastering a quick 7-0 run before Mifflin County knew what hit them.

Mifflin County found itself outscored 13-4 in the third, trailing 45-36 going into the final stanza.

Harrisburg was able to fend off any runs that the Huskies had left in them, outscoring them 19-16 in the fourth quarter en route to the 64-52 victory.

In the JV contest, Harrisburg defeated Mifflin County 75-32.