CLARION-LIMESTONE 74, OSWAYO VALLEY 44

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Feb. 18, 2009 - District 9 Class A Boys' First Round

By Steve Smail – For D9Sports.com

STRATTANVILLE – Clarion-Limestone bolted out to a 16-3 lead which helped the Lions cruise to a 74-44 victory over Oswayo Valley in the opening round of the District 9 basketball playoffs Wednesday evening in Strattanville.

C.J. Hesdon and Matt Potvin each recorded a double-double with Hesdon scoring a game-high 20 points while collecting 10 steals. Potvin scored 10 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. Jaye Dulavitch reached double figures with 16 points as 11 C-L players entered the scoring column.

“We played 10 deep which is something we've done all season and that really helps to be able to keep guys fresh,” said C-L head coach Joe Ferguson. “We knew they didn't have a deep bench so I wanted to rotate guys in and out and everyone gave us good minutes.”

Orion Bernard hit a 3-pointer to start the game for Oswayo Valley before the Lions reeled off 16 straight points with Hesdon scoring nine of those points as the Green Wave had trouble dealing with C-L’s pressure defense. C-L finished the quarter with a 20-9 lead.

“We turned our defensive intensity up right at the start,” said Ferguson. “We wanted to get the tip and try and get a hoop which didn't happen, but our pressure defense helped get us off to a good start. C.J. just has magnet hands and is able to get his hands on the ball at all times for those steals.”

Both teams struggled offensively in the second quarter with C-L holding an 11-9 advantage to take a 31-18 halftime lead.

C-L (15-6) started the third quarter on an 8-0 run to push the lead to 39-18. After a bucket by the Green Wave, the Lions used a 10-2 run to lead 49-22 with just over four minutes to play in the quarter. Oswayo Valley closed out the quarter with an 11-5 advantage to close to within 54-33 after three.

Potvin scored six of his total points in the third for C-L.

“Matt is able to keep the ball alive even if he doesn't get the rebound,” said Ferguson. “It was nice keeping him out of foul trouble. Jaye is also a presence inside and teams sometimes won't penetrate for fear of getting their shot blocked or altered. Offensively Jaye has really come on and we'll need that to continue in order for us to be successful.”

The Lions used a 20-11 fourth quarter advantage to set the final score.

Camden Nolan led Oswayo Valley with 17 points, Joe Carson added 10, and Bernard chipped in with eight. The Green Wave closed out their season with a 14-8 record.

C-L shot a sizzling 50 percent overall (33-for-66), but shot only 1-for-19 from three-point range.  Oswayo Valley shot just 26 percent (14-for-53).

C-L will advance to the second round on Friday evening to face KSAC foe North Clarion. The Wolves won the first meeting 64-52 on December 12 at C-L while the Lions won 78-61 at North Clarion last Thursday evening.

“Friday will be an interesting game for sure,” said Ferguson. “I'm sure it won't be as easy as we had the last time. I think they were tired and this time they'll be rested so I anticipate a different type of game.”

Clarion-Limestone 74, Oswayo Valley 44

Score by Quarters

Oswayo Valley............. 9  9  15  11--44

Clarion-Limestone......... 20  11  23  20--74

Oswayo Valley- 44

Joe Carson 3 4-7 10, Orion Bernard 2 3-4 8, C.J. Sebastian 1 0-0 2, Camden Nolan 5 6-6 17, Jake Jandrew 0 0-0 0, Nick Goss 2 0-0 5, Michael Prince 1 0-0 2, Trevor Howard 0 0-0 0, Nick Dietze 0 0-0 0, Aaron Duell 0 0-0 0. Totals: 14 13-17 44.

Clarion-Limestone- 74

Brandon Bell 3 0-0 6, C.J. Hesdon 9 1-1 20, Matt Potvin 5 0-0 10, Jaye Dulavitch 7 2-4 16, Marco Lopez 3 2-4 8, Eric Hesdon 1 0-0 2, Jonathan Pezzuti 1 1-2 3, Jake Leadbetter 1 0-0 2, Dan Miller 0 0-2 0, Zach Kemmer 1 1-2 3, Billy Kelley 1 0-0 2, Brandon Davis 1 0-0 2, Aaron Evans 0 0-0 0. Totals: 33 7-15 74

Three-pointers: Oswayo Valley 3 (Bernard, Nolan, Goss), Clarion-Limestone 1 (C.J. Hesdon).