KARNS CITY — After a disappointing loss to North Clarion Friday night, Karns City boys basketball coach Chris Bellis decided to stir things up.

So, he left the game plan for Clarion completely in the hands of his players.

“He wrote us a note in the locker room,” said Karns City senior point guard David Olszak. “It was a surprise. We went through our normal routine like we usually do. We had guys step up and talk and we started playing really relaxed.”

With Olszak running the offense and senior forward Dalton Callihan calling the defense, the Gremlins rolled to a 75-45 home win over the Bobcats (3-8) Monday night.

It wasn't even that close.

Karns City led 21-3 out of the gate, was up 41-11 at the half and 67-29 when the starters exited the game in the second half.

“We played poorly Friday night, so I just kind of put it in the kids' hands,” Bellis said. “The game plan was all the kids. I thought that they really responded well to owning the plan a little bit. I was happy with the way they responded to that, and I thought they really played well together.”

It didn't hurt that Karns City (5-6) dominated on the boards.

The Gremlins had 16 offensive rebounds in the first half and out-rebounded Clarion by a 3-1 margin in the game.

Olszak finished with 23 points and 11 rebounds. Callihan had 14 points and 15 rebounds in the first half alone and ended up with a 20-point, 18-rebound night.

The fast start was something Bellis was pleased with as well.

“I thought our kids had so much energy to start the game,” Bellis said. “Sometimes we struggle with that. Early in the game, shots weren't falling, but we were getting lots of offensive rebounds and getting loose balls. Those are hustle plays that come from playing with energy.”

After a 1-5 start, Karns City has won four of its last five.

That's something Bellis is hoping to build on going forward.

“Other than that little bump in the road up at North Clarion, I think we're on the right track,” Bellis said.

CLARION 45

Ryan Anthony 0-2 0-0 0, Christion Smith 0-2 0-0 0, Derek Luner 3-4 1-3 7, Taylor Smith 4-19 1-2 9, Ty Burford 2-4 0-0 5, Thomas Plummer 1-5 0-0 2, Reed Anthony 0-2 0-0 0, Craig Kerr 0-0 0-0 0, Cam Craig 1-2 1-5 2, Ceventh Lynch-Skunda 8-17 1-3 17. Totals: 19-57 4-13 45.

KARNS CITY 75

David Olszak 10-18 2-5 23, Ethan Conto 1-7 0-0 2, Holden Martin 0-0 2-2 2, Christian Turner 3-8 0-0 7, Jake Wiles 0-1 0-0 0, Colton Hawk 0-5 0-0 0, Reese Barger 1-4 0-0 3, Brendan Waltman 3-3 2-4 8, Chandler Turner 1-1 0-0 2, Dalton Callihan 10-13 0-0 20, Ben Ealy 0-3 0-0 0, Noah Pollock 1-1 1-2 3, Jimmy Thompson 1-1 0-0 2, Caleb McNany 0-1 0-0 0, Marcus Lantz 1-2 0-0 3. Totals: 32-68 7-13 75.

Clarion 3 8 13 19 — 45

Karns City21 20 14 20 — 75

3-point goals: Clarion 1 (Burford); Karns City

JV: Karns City 47-36

Wednesday: Karns City at Keystone