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Red Raiders advance to Ram Winter Jam title tilt

By Kenny Varner

MILL CREEK – In a post season-type game, the Bellefonte boys basketball team got hot in the fourth quarter completing a comeback that saw them down early but scratch and claw their way back in the second half to hold onto a 33-24 victory over Penns Valley in the prime time game of the Penns Valley Ram Winter Jam.

Noah Badger led the way for the Red Raiders in the victory as he finished with a double-double, posting 13 points and 11 boards en route to the victory.

Penns Valley got seven from Cam Shaffer and six from Logan Snyder and Caleb Narber.

In a defensive contest, Bellefonte had the lead going into the final stanza, 17-16.

After an early bucket in the quarter by Badger, Penns Valley’s Snyder hit nothing but net, tying the game on his triple.

On the following trip down for the Red Raiders, Badger once again went right to the rim on a low post, taking back the lead.

With crucial rebounds by Bellefonte,  the team made consecutive baskets by Nate Tice and Bailey Decker, giving their team a little wiggle room at 25-19.

But Penns Valley would not go quietly into the night as Shaffer swished a long two, cutting it to 25-21.

With pressure on him, Tice posted a triple to extend the lead a little more for the Red Raiders with 3:11 left.

After a Penns Valley turnaround, Badger upped his team’s lead to 30-21 as his team beat the Rams full court pressure.

Snyder put his team to within striking distance of 30-24 after smoothly hitting his second triple of the period.

After a failed Rams full court press, the Penns Valley defense went into fouling mode and despite only making one point out of it, Bellefonte’s Ben McCartney was ferocious on the boards, helping to run the clock down.

Despite battling hard, the Rams just ran out of time, falling 33-24.

The home team started out strong in the first period, outscoring Bellefonte 7-4. 

Penns Valley took a 13-10 advantage into the intermission as both teams posted six points in the second.

Bellefonte took the turn in the third, outscoring the Rams 7-3 and from there was able to hold off the Rams.

With the win, Bellefonte moves to the championship game against Juniata while Penns Valley will play Roberto Clemente Charter in the consolation game.

 

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