Ridgway survives, advances in D9 2A playoffs
A bucket by Eric Gustafson with about six seconds left gave the Ridgway Elkers a 35-33 win over Redbank Valley on Wednesday evening in the opening round of the District 9 2A Boys’ Basketball Playoffs.
The Elkers entered the quarterfinal matchup at St. Marys Area High School as the fourth seed while Redbank was the fifth seed.
Ridgway’s Alex Merritt was the lone player in double figures in the game as he led all scorers with 16 points. Three players – Breckin Minich, Braylon Wagner, and Mason Clouse – each put up seven points to lead the Bulldogs.
After taking a onepoint lead into the break, the Elkers found themselves trailing by two headed into the fourth quarter but were able to bounce back for the win.
Ridgway outscored Redbank 14-11 in the opening quarter, with Jack Benninger leading the Elkers with five points on a three and a two, Merritt scoring four points on a pair of twos, Aaron Sorg hitting a three, and Gustafson adding a bucket. Wagner, Owen Clouse, and Mason Clouse each hit a three for Redbank in the opening frame, while Minich made a field goal.
The Elkers’ threepoint lead was reduced to one at the end of the first half as the Bulldogs outscored Ridgway 8-6 in the second quarter. Redbank continued to hit threes, with Kieran Fricko and Mason Clouse each making one. Aiden Ortz also had a field goal for the team. Merritt led the Elkers with four points on a two and a pair of foul shots while Sorg added a bucket.
Ridgway led 20-19 at the break.
The third quarter saw Redbank Valley use an 11-8 advantage to take a 30-28 lead. Ortz and Wagner each scored four points on a pair of twos, and Minich hit a three. For the Elkers, Merritt scored five points on a three-point play and a two, Sorg made another bucket, and Gustafson went one-for-two from the foul line.
A 7-3 advantage in the fourth quarter gave Ridgway the 35-33 win.
In addition to Gustafson’s game-winning bucket, Merritt scored three points on a two and a one-for-two showing from the foul line and Sorg made yet another field goal. All of the Bulldogs’ points in the quarter came from the foul line as Minich went two-for-two and Mason Clouse went one-for-two.
While the Elkers are now headed to the D9 2A semifinals, they will have to wait an extra day to find out who their opponent in that March 1 matchup will be. The other game in the top half of the bracket between top seeded OttoEldred and eighth seeded Curwensville was postponed a day and is now only being played tonight at 6 p.m. Sites and times for Wednesday’s semifinals have yet to be announced.
In Wednesday’s other D9 2A boys’ quarterfinals, third seeded Karns City defeated sixth seeded Port Allegany 46-36 and second seeded Clarion-Limestone defeated seventh seeded Kane 6137. Karns City and Clarion-Limestone will face off in the other semifinal on Wednesday, March 1 at a site and time to be announced.
The D9 2A boys’ championship game will be played at Clarion University on Saturday, March 4 at a time to be announced. A consolation game between the two semifinal losers will be played on Friday, March 3 at a site and time to be announced to determine the third place team.
Redbank Valley 33
Breckin Minich 1-1-22-7, Aiden Ortz 3-0-0-2-6, Braylon Wagner 2-1-0-07, Kieran Fricko 0-1-0-03, Owen Clouse 0-1-0-0-3, Mason Clouse 0-2-1-2-7, Rylan Rupp 0-0-0-0-0, Broc Monrean 0-0-0-0-0. Totals 6-6-3-6-33.
Ridgway 35
Jack Benninger 1-1-00-5, Eric Gustafson 2-01-2-5, Erik Panebianco 0-0-0-0-0, Aaron Sorg 3-1-0-0-9, Alex Merritt 6-0-4-5-16, Alec DeVallance 0-0-0-0-0, Jackson Kilpeck 0-0-0-0-0, Ethan Streich 0-0-0-0-0. Totals 12-2-5-7-35.
Score by quarters Redbank 11 8 11 3 33 Ridgway 14 6 8 7 35