DUBOIS — The Curwensville Area High School cagers may have only one win, but they took one of the top-ranked District 9 teams down to the final minute Monday night.
DuBois Central Catholic, tied for No. 7 in this week’s Laurel Eye Clinic D9Sports.com Power Ratings, staved off a Golden Tide surge in the fourth quarter for a 45-39 win to stay in the hunt for the Allegheny Mountain League South Division crown.
“We were down four points late and did have our opportunities down the stretch but just didn’t capitalize,” Curwensville coach Shane Pentz said.
Nick Stewart scored nine points while Jake Terry and R.J. Olson had eight apiece for the Golden Tide, who tumbled to 0-7 in the league and 1-15 overall.
The Cardinals turned a one-point edge at the end of one period into a 38-26 lead by outscoring the Golden Tide 26-13 in the middle two quarters.
Christian LaParne led the hosts with 18 points to maintain his average that ranks in District 9’s Top 10, while Justin Miknis chipped in with 12 and Joey Varischetti added nine.
The trio combined for all of DCC’s 15 free throws that proved crucial with Curwensville owning a 33-30 advantage in field goal points.
According to Pentz, defense was the reason the Golden Tide gave the Cardinals a much tougher time than their previous meeting, won 62-48 by DCC (11-5) on Jan. 4.
“This was one of our better games, defensively, as a team,” he said. “Guys were where we wanted them to be, in the right help positions and moving quickly.”
Pentz singled out Stewart’s effort on LaParne, who was limited to five field goals.
“Nick did a great job keeping him out of the lane,” Pentz said. “When he did get beat, our team defense sagged off and helped.
“LaParne is one of the better offensive players in the district, and we made him really earn his points. That’s all you can ask.”
Pentz also credited reserves Curtis Linsenbigler, Ian Barrett, Quamone Newkirk, Avery Francisco and Jared Bakaysa for their valuable minutes.
“They took care of the ball and played good defense, too,” Pentz said.
With Alec Opaliski and Josh Terry netting nine points apiece, the Curwensville jayvees posted a 43-21 victory in the prelim.
Curwensville returns to Moshannon Valley League play Wednesday against Harmony at Westover.
Allegheny Mountain League South Division – Ridgway 6-1, DuBois Central Catholic 6-2, Brockway 2-5, Curwensville 0-7.
CURWENSVILLE — 39
Nick Stewart 3 1-2 9, Quamone Newkirk 2 2-4 6, Curtis Linsenbigler 0 0-0 0, Alec Opaliski 0 0-0 0, Jared Bakaysa 0 0-0 0, Jake Terry 3 1-2 8, Ian Barrett 0 0-0 0, Avery Francisco 2 0-0 4, Noah Strickland 2 0-0 4, Devan Barrett 0 0-0 0, R.J. Olson 3 2-2 8. TOTALS: 15 6-10 39.
DUBOIS CENTRAL CATHOLIC — 45
Christian LaParne 5 8-14 18, Noah Pettenati 1 0-2 2, Thomas Grecco 1 0-0 2, Isaiah Bratton 1 0-0 2, Joey Varischetti 3 3-6 9, Markus Peterson 0 0-0 0, Jackson Frank 0 0-0 0, Justin Miknis 4 4-6 12. TOTALS: 15 15-28 45.
Three-Point Field Goals – Curwensville 3 (Stewart 2, Terry 1).
Score by Quarters
Curwensville 13 5 8 13 – 39
DuBois Central Catholic 12 14 12 7 – 45
Golden Tide Scoreboard:
Date Opponent Score Record
12/07 @ Clearfield 35 – 76 0 – 1
12/08 BROCKWAY 36 – 53 0 – 2
12/11 @ Ridgway 25 – 70 0 – 3
12/15 MO VALLEY 46 – 79 0 – 4
12/16 HARMONY 44 – 45 0 – 5
12/18 @ Kane 45 – 67 0 – 6
12/21 @ West Branch 41 – 83 0 – 7
01/04 DUBOIS CENTRAL 48 – 62 0 – 8
01/06 @ Johnsonburg 49 – 64 0 – 9
01/08 @ Mo Valley ppd. 0 – 9
01/12 @ Elk County ppd. 0 – 9
01/13 @ Mo Valley 46 – 62 0 – 10
01/15 WEST BRANCH 48 – 80 0 – 11
01/16 @ Elk County 42 – 77 0 – 12
01/18 GLENDALE 84 – 54 1 – 12
01/19 RIDGWAY 25 – 66 1 – 13
01/22 @ Brockway 27 – 56 1 – 14
01/25 @ DuBois Central 39 – 45 1 – 15
01/27 @ Harmony
01/29 JOHNSONBURG
02/01 @ Glendale
02/02 @ Sheffield
02/05 KANE
02/08 CLEARFIELD