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By Rick Weaver
For the Mirror
RURAL VALLEY -- Claysburg-Kimmel basketball coach Mike Harris has already figured out what his defensive game plan will be when the Bulldogs play against the District 4 champion in the first round of the PIAA Class 2A tournament on March 9.
He figured that out some time before the final buzzer sounded at the end a District 6 consolation playoff game, which the Wolves won 73-58, at West Shamokin High School on Thursday night.
"We're going to play man-to-man in the full-court from the start, and that's what we're going to do, whoever we play," Harris said. "We're going to play like that, and just get after it right from the start."
Claysburg-Kimmel led 7-3 in the first 2½ minutes. The Wolves then launched a 19-0 run that covered almost eight minutes and put the Bulldogs in a deep hole.
Harris agreed that West Shamokin's quickness presented a significant challenge to the Bulldogs.
"They were long and athletic, and they gave us some problems. And they went with that 1-3-1 (defense) and we struggled passing the ball because they are so quick," he said.
Alex Talmadge hit three 3-point field goals during that juncture. He finished the night with 25 points.
"He's a streaky shooter and he was very on tonight. And that caused problems for us tonight," Harris said.
"We've had some ups and downs this year," West Shamokin coach Judd McCullough said, referring to his team's shooting, "and we've stayed steady in the fact that we know that we're a good shooting team. We just had to show it."
West Shamokin junior Bradyn Rodgers led all scorers with 32 points.
"That (Rodgers) is a heck of a player. He's really good," Harris said. "Watching video of that kid doesn't do justice. You need to see that kid in person because he's legit. He can play."
"We shot the ball with confidence, we got to the rack and attacked the basket," McCullough said. Claysburg-Kimmel started the second half on a 9-0 run that pared the difference to 38-26.
"I'm proud of the way our kids battled in the second half. We came back and battled hard, and we played like we should have played in the first half," Harris said. "This is a new experience for our program. Getting guys out here like that is a great experience. And I told those younger guys in the locker room, 'This is where you learn. You learn from these games.' You take it with you next year and you get better."
Harris also said the Bulldogs, likely overwhelmed by West Shamokin's quickness, played timid in the first half.
"Our effort was a lot better," he said. "In the second half the guys took it to them, and the guys really did not back down."
Brayden Haney led the Bulldogs with 31 points, followed by Elias Ritchey (13).
"Brayden Haney played lights out tonight," Harris said. "He played phenomenal. He's our best offensive player. He's our best all-around player, and he played very well tonight."
The Wolves will play District 10 runner-up Iroquois or Cambridge Springs on March 9.
"That Heritage Conference is no joke," Harris said. "That Heritage Conference is one of the best conferences in the area, by far."
CLAYSBURG-KIMMEL (58): Haney 11 4-6 31, Ritchey 4 5-7 13- Napolitano 1 2-2 4, Walter 1 1-1 3, Simpson 2 1-2 5, Treon 1 0-2 2, Douglas 0 0-0 0. Totals -- 20 13-20 58.
WEST SHAMOKIN (73): E.Oesterling 4 0-0 8, Rodgers 12 4-5 32, Johns 4 0-0 9, Olinger 1 2-2 4, Talmadge 5 6-6 26, Barrett 0 0-0 0, A.Oesterling 0 0-0 0, Harkleroad 0 0-0 0, Geist 0 0-0 0, Marshall 0 0-0 0, Fender 0 0-0 0. Totals -- 26 12-13 73.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Claysburg-Kimmel 7 10 17 24 — 58
West Shamokin 16 22 10 25 — 73
3-point field goals: Claysburg-Kimmel 5 (Haney 5), West Shamokin 9 (Rodgers 4, Talmadge 4, Johns).
Officials: Tony Sottile, Steve McCully, Jim McLoughlin.
Team records: Claysburg-Kimmel (15-10), West Shamokin (15-10).