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MORRISDALE -- Claysburg-Kimmel coach Mike Harris said after Saturday afternoon's District 6 Class 2A semifinal game against West Branch that his team played much better in the second half.
The trouble was that the Warriors scored 50 points in the first half and showed just how high-powered their offense can be.
The Bulldogs trailed 50-21 at halftime, and it was too much to overcome as West Branch advanced to the 2A final with an 81-51 victory over the Bulldogs.
"They came out and punched us right in the mouth," Harris said. "They're the No. 1 seed for a reason. They're 23-3. We knew we had to keep it within 10 at halftime, and that did not happen. It was an uphill battle after that with the running clock."
West Branch will take on Northern Cambria on Thursday at Mount Aloysius in the 2A title game. The Colts were 38-30 winners over West Shamokin in the other semifinal on Saturday. Claysburg will play at West Shamokin at 7 p.m. Thursday in the consolation game to determine seeding for next week's PIAA Tournament.
"Our goal is Thursday," West Branch coach Danny Clark said. "We're not being shy about it. It's what we've worked for two years, the summers, all these games. We were there last year and lost (to United). Hopefully our experience takes over."
The Warriors jumped out to a 10-2 lead after a Dylan McGonigal 3-point play in the middle of the first quarter. Owen Koleno had eight points in the opening period as West Branch led 23-10.
The Bulldogs' Brayden Haney had a bucket to open the second quarter, but West Branch went on a 20-0 run from there to make it 43-12 midway through the quarter.
West Branch led by 29 points at halftime.
"Claysburg is excited to be here. Our experience outwavered that," Clark said. "Our kids kind of knew that. For Claysburg, we've been there. This was a tough environment for them on the road."
West Branch made a basket to open the second half, which put the running clock in effect. But Claysburg still fought and won the third quarter, 17-12. Aiden Simpson had all six of his points in the quarter.
The Bulldogs cut the deficit to as close as 22 points late in the fourth quarter.
"We made another step. We got here to this game," Harris said. "I know my kids are very disappointed, but we made some huge strides this season, and we still have two games left guaranteed. West Branch is really good. We didn't have an answer for them."
Haney had 16 points, six assists, six rebounds and two steals to lead the Bulldogs. Elias Ritchey poured in 13 points and racked up eight assists, six rebounds, and two steals.
"We just have to play better as a team, work the ball more, and take better shots," Haney said. "(West Branch is) a good team, but we have to be more efficient."
Koleno had 23 points to lead West Branch.
CLAYSBURG-KIMMEL (51): Haney 6 3-5 16, Ritchey 6 1-2 13, Napolitano 1 0-0 2, Treon 3 0-0 6, Simpson 3 0-0 6, Walter 1 0-0 2, Knisely 0 0-0 0, Bass 0 0-0 0, Douglas 2 0-0 6, Potter 0 0-0 0. Totals -- 22 4-7 51.
WEST BRANCH (81): Colton 1 0-2 3, Evans 2 0-0 4, Z. McGonigal 5 0-0 13, Koleno 9 2-3 23, Tiracorda 6 1-2 13, D. McGonigal 7 1-1 16, N. Emigh 1 1-2 3, Kolp 0 0-0 0, E. Emigh 0 0-2 0, Liptak 0 0-0 0, Kephart 2 0-0 6, Danko 0 0-0 0, Totals -- 33 5-12 81.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Claysburg-Kimmel 10 11 17 13 -- 51
West Branch 23 27 12 19 -- 81
3-point goals: Claysburg-Kimmel 3 (Haney, Douglas 2); West Branch 10 (Colton, Z. McGonigal 3, Koleno 3, D. McGonigal, Kephart 2).
Records: Claysburg-Kimmel (15-9); West Branch (23-3).
Officials: Curtis Miller, Bill Pfeffer, Craig Andros.