MORRISDALE — The final week of the basketball season is often a time when a team wants to finish strong on a positive note. Some teams are looking ahead to the playoffs, others celebrating titles, while others are preparing for next season.
This year’s season for the Curwensville Golden Tide has not been the best. A new coach and with a smaller roster has made it a struggle, and a season that can be best described as one that is in transition. But still, despite the struggles, head coach Shane Pentz had his team suit up and hit the hardwood. Monday night, it was the Golden Tide making the trip to face off against the 12-8 West Branch Warriors.
But the trip was one that left Pentz, and his team, in disbelief and visibly frustrated. It was 32 minutes of fast-paced, quick action, and nearly immediate scoring that left Curwensville on the losing end. The Golden Tide were out performed on both sides of the court as the Warriors ran away with the 63-25 victory.
“For some reason we just didn’t come ready to play tonight,” Pentz said afterward, nearly in a state of shock.
Early in the game, Curwensville went point-for-point with West Branch, keeping it close. But the Warriors began pouring it on midway through the first quarter. Thanks to some good shooting by Parker Emigh and Andrew Larson, plus the big plays inside by Aaron Lidgett, the first quarter ended with West Branch ahead by 11, and from that point the rout was on.
“You know, they are good. They (Larson and Lidgett) are seniors, and they both had great careers,” Pentz said.
The final 24 minutes did not go any better as the Tide would only hit nine more baskets in the final three quarters, only shooting 21 percent from the floor. The highest scorer for Curwensville was Brett Gardner, scoring eight points alongside three rebounds. Alex Olson led the Tide in rebounds, securing six on the night, while Tanner Elensky led in assists with four.
On the opposite side of the court, the Warriors went to town with both Larson and Emigh in double digits, scoring 14 and 15 points respectively.
The second half was more of the same with West Branch getting possession to start, and immediately getting the basket inside. The fast passing and overall quickness of the Warriors proved to be hard to defend.
Larson led the Warriors as well in rebounds, pulling down eight on the night. Lidgett meanwhile led the Warriors in assists with six.
It was a night where the Tide were outperformed in every aspect, but Pentz was quick to point out that West Branch was going to be a tough team, and deserved to be in the position they were in.
“They’re going onto a league championship and start district playoffs next week. They’re that good for a reason,” Pentz said.
The jayvee game was a closer contest but West Branch was able to get the victory in a 38-32 final.
Curwensville (3-17) has one last game in the season on Wednesday night. The Tide will travel to face the Moshannon Valley Black Knights.
SCORE BY QUARTER
Curwensville 4 7 4 10 – 25
West Branch 15 16 19 13 – 63
Curwensville 25
Stephenson 0 0-2 0, Gardner 3 2-2 8, Kurtz 2 0-0 5, Johns 0 0-0 0, Shaffer 0 0-0 0, Elensky 1 0-0 2, Olson 3 0-2 6, Jacobson 2 0-0 4, London 0 0-0 0. Totals 11 2-6 25
West Branch 63
Krise 1 0-0 2, Clark 1 0-0 3, Rothrock 4 0-2 8, Lidgett 3 1-4 7, 1 0-0 2, Emigh 5 4-6 15, Rockey 1 0-0 2, Larson 7 0-0 14, Hubler 3 0-0 6, Carles 1 0-0 2, Kolesar 1 0-0 2, Kerlin 0 0-2 0, Bumbarger 0 0-0 0. Totals 27 5-14 63
Field Goals Made/Attempted: CV-11/53 WB-29/49
Team Rebounds: CV-19 WB-29
Team Fouls: CV-10 WB-10
Turnovers: CV-14 WB-14
Three-Point Shots: CV-Kurtz; WB-Clark, Emigh
Foul-Outs: CV-Olson; WB-None
Golden Tide Scoreboard:
| Date | Opponent | Score | Record |
| 12/13 | BROCKWAY | 31 – 73 | 0 – 1 |
| 12/16 | @ Ridgway | 21 – 60 | 0 – 2 |
| 12/22 | @ Harmony | 28 – 40 | 0 – 3 |
| 12/28 | @ Punxsutawney | 20 – 50 | 0 – 4 |
| 12/30 | @ Glendale | 29 – 62 | 0 – 5 |
| 01/04 | @ Kane | 51 – 43 | 1 – 5 |
| 01/06 | DUBOIS CENTRAL | 26 – 72 | 1 – 6 |
| 01/10 | @ Johnsonburg | 23 – 60 | 1 – 7 |
| 01/13 | HARMONY | ppd. | 1 – 7 |
| 01/17 | @ Elk County Catholic | 36 – 51 | 1 – 8 |
| 01/20 | WEST BRANCH | 40 – 63 | 1 – 9 |
| 01/24 | RIDGWAY | 28 – 60 | 1 – 10 |
| 01/27 | @ Brockway | 37 – 59 | 1 – 11 |
| 01/30 | @ DuBois Central | 41 – 65 | 1 – 12 |
| 02/01 | GLENDALE | 32 – 69 | 1 – 13 |
| 02/03 | JOHNSONBURG | 28 – 55 | 1 – 14 |
| 02/06 | HARMONY | 55 – 43 | 2 – 14 |
| 02/07 | @ Sheffield | 41 – 77 | 2 – 15 |
| 02/08 | MO VALLEY | 49 – 38 | 3 – 15 |
| 02/10 | KANE | 48 – 50 | 3 – 16 |
| 02/13 | @ West Branch | 25 – 63 | 3 – 17 |
| 02/15 | @ Mo Valley |