Why pivotal 4th quarter didn’t go Karns City boys basketball’s way in loss
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Karns City's Shane Peters (55) plays defense against Cranberry in a boys basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, at Karns City High School. Jared Todhunter/Special to the Eagle
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Karns City's Cole Johnston (11) celebrates hitting a shot against Cranberry in a boys basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, at Karns City High School. Jared Todhunter/Special to the Eagle
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Owen Kaufman (1) of Karns City drives towards the basket against Cranberry in a boys basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, at Karns City High School. Jared Todhunter/Special to the Eagle
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Karns City's Shane Peters (55) looks for a layup attempt against Cranberry in a boys basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, at Karns City High School. Jared Todhunter/Special to the Eagle
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Karns City student section celebrates a basket against Cranberry in a boys basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, at Karns City High School. Jared Todhunter/Special to the Eagle
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Karns City's Brennan Harmon (10) goes for a layup against Cranberry in a boys basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, at Karns City High School. Jared Todhunter/Special to the Eagle
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Keagan Schrecengost (44) of Karns City attempts a free-throw against Cranberry in a boys basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, at Karns City High School. Jared Todhunter/Special to the Eagle
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Karns City's Shane Peters (55) is guarded by a player from Cranberry in a boys basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, at Karns City High School. Jared Todhunter/Special to the Eagle
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Karns City's Keagan Schrecengost (44) goes through the starting lineup routine before a boys basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, at Karns City High School. Jared Todhunter/Special to the Eagle
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Karns City's Trevor Geibel (33) battles for position after a free-throw attempt against Cranberry in a boys basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, at Karns City High School. Jared Todhunter/Special to the Eagle
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Karns City's Jacob Jones (3) drives for a loss ball against Cranberry in a boys basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, at Karns City High School. Jared Todhunter/Special to the Eagle
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Jacob Jones (3) of Karns City shots a three against Cranberry in a boys basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, at Karns City High School. Jared Todhunter/Special to the Eagle
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Karns City's Jacob Jones (3) attempts a layup against Cranberry in a boys basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, at Karns City High School. Jared Todhunter/Special to the Eagle
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Karns City's Owen Kaufman (1) gets set before a free-throw attempt against Cranberry in a boys basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, at Karns City High School. Jared Todhunter/Special to the Eagle
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Karns City's Shane Peters (55) fights for a rebound against Cranberry in a boys basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, at Karns City High School. Jared Todhunter/Special to the Eagle
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Karns City's Keagan Schrecengost (44) drives towards the basket against Cranberry in a boys basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, at Karns City High School. Jared Todhunter/Special to the Eagle
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Karns City's Bryce Galan (12) shots a three against Cranberry in a boys basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, at Karns City High School. Jared Todhunter/Special to the Eagle
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Karns City's Keagan Schrecengost (44) drives towards the basket against Cranberry in a boys basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, at Karns City High School. Jared Todhunter/Special to the Eagle
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Karns City's Bryce Galan (12) shots a three against Cranberry in a boys basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, at Karns City High School. Jared Todhunter/Special to the Eagle
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Brennan Harmon (10) of Karns City attempts a three point shot against Cranberry in a boys basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, at Karns City High School. Jared Todhunter/Special to the Eagle
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Karns City's Brennan Harmon (10) goes for a layup against Cranberry in a boys basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, at Karns City High School. Jared Todhunter/Special to the Eagle
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Karns City's Cole Johnston (11) dribbles the ball against Cranberry in a boys basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, at Karns City High School. Jared Todhunter/Special to the Eagle
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Keagan Schrecengost (44) of Karns City attempts a free-throw against Cranberry in a boys basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, at Karns City High School. Jared Todhunter/Special to the Eagle
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Karns City's Head Coach Zach Kepple (center) talks to his team between the first and second quarters against in a boys basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, at Karns City High School. Jared Todhunter/Special to the Eagle
KARNS CITY — When push came to shove, Cranberry shoved harder.
The Berries entered the fourth quarter tied with Karns City in their boys basketball game Wednesday night on the Gremlins’ floor. Cranberry (3-2) outscored KC 23-12 in the final eight minutes to secure a 74-63 victory.
“We got the lead, then lost our intensity,” Karns City coach Zach Kepple said. “We didn’t attack the basket like we were earlier. We got complacent and that can’t happen.”
Karns City (1-3) has no juniors on its roster. The Gremlins have three seniors - Jacob Jones, Shane Peters and Brennan Harmon - with the rest of the roster consisting of sophomores and freshmen.
“We turned the ball over too many times and we struggle at the foul line,” Kepple said. “A lot of that comes with inexperience. We’re a young team.”
The Gremlins trailed 21-9 late in the first quarter and 38-30 late in the first half. Karns City never took the lead until putting together a 13-0 run for a 43-38 advantage less than two minutes into the third quarter.
That lead peaked at 50-42 when Trevor Geibel struck back an offensive rebound with 2:54 left in the third period. But Cranberry responded with a 15-1 run of its own to assume a 57-51 lead midway through the final quarter. The Berries’ final eight points of the night came from the foul line.
“We started playing together after the first two and a half quarters,” Cranberry coach Ed McIntyre said. “We’ve been preaching that since the season started. Coming down here and beating an excellent program like Karns City ... I really liked our effort tonight.”
Cranberry was led by sophomore point guard Blake Marchinke, who tallied 25 points, five steals, five assists and four rebounds.
“He’s already become a leader for us,” McIntyre said. “He sees everything on the court, in transition half-court. Blake does a lot of things for us. He’s one of the best point guards I’ve ever coached.”
Connor Morrow added 19 points and six rebounds for the Berries while Cole Findlay had 15 points, six rebounds and three assists.
The Gremlins were plagued by foul trouble. Peters had 10 points and 10 rebounds despite being forced to the bench for extended periods of time. Johnston led KC with15 points and three assists. Bryce Galan had 11 points and six rebounds, Jones 10 points and seven boards.
Kars City had 21 turnovers and canned only nine of 26 free throws.
“If we make half our free throws, this is a different game,” Kepple said. “We have to get better in that area.”
CRANBERRY 74
Cole Findlay 5-12 5-9 15, Landon Baker 1-2 0-0 2, Connor Morrow 7-16 5-8 19, Blake Marchinke 10-14 4-4 25, Niko Blauser 4-11 1-4 9, John Nixson 0-0 0-0 0, Connor Zerbe 1-1 2-2 4. Totals: 28-56 17-29 74.
KARNS CITY 63
Owen Kaufman 0-1 2-2 2, Josh Peters 0-1 1-2 1, Jacob Jones 3-12 2-4 10, Brennan Harmon 3-6 2-4 8, Cole Johnston 6-14 1-2 15, Bryce Galan 4-6 1-8 11, Trevor Geibel 2-5 0-04, Keagan Schrecengost 1-2 0-4 2, Shane Peters 5-11 0-0 10. Totals: 24-58 9-26 63.
Cranberry 23 15 13 23 - 74
Karns City 14 19 18 12 - 63
3-point goals: Cranberry 1 (Marchinek), Karns City 6 (Jones 2, Johnston 2, Galan 2)
JV: Karns City, 50-38 (KC: Josh Peters 20, Trevor Gibel 11, Bryce Galan 10), C: Shia Sanchez 11)
Friday: Redbank Valley at Karns City
