JOHNSONBURG — Needing a revenge win over Johnsonburg to gain some momentum for a stretch run to the District 9 Class AA Playoffs, the Curwensville Area High School boys basketball team came out flat Friday night and was dealt a 60-43 setback in Allegheny Mountain League action.
The Rams shoved the Golden Tide’s backs up against the wall by completing the sweep with post players Kevin Benson and Zane Hodgdon combining for 35 points after netting only 11 in a come-from-behind 40-38 squeaker at Curwensville on Jan. 6.
Benson, a 6-4 junior, tossed in 23 points while Hodgdon, a 6-5 senior, chipped in 12.
The Golden Tide’s chances now hinge on how they bounce back next week.
“We have to win three out of four,” coach Shane Pentz stated.
Curwensville (5-12, 1-6 AML-South Division) will go to Glendale for its Moshannon Valley League finale Monday before facing three AML opponents. The Golden Tide will be home against Sheffield Tuesday and DuBois Central Catholic in a makeup game Thursday before making the trek to Kane Friday.
Johnsonburg (10-9, 5-5 AML-North Division) took advantage of Curwensville’s slow start to forge a 22-10 lead after one quarter and increased the margin to 35-20 at halftime before outscoring the visitors 17-4 in the third period.
Jake Terry, Harrison Bloom and Alex Hill scored nine points apiece for the Golden Tide.
In the junior varsity game, Curtis Linsenbigler pumped in 22 points and Foster Cannon had 10 for Curwensville, but Johnsonburg prevailed 66-46.
CURWENSVILLE — 43
Noah Strickland 2 0-0 4, Jake Terry 3 0-0 9, Trey Rauckhorst 2 0-0 4, Harrison Bloom 4 0-1 9, Alex Hill 4 1-2 9, Johnathan Miller 0 0-0 0, Zach Marshall 1 0-0 3, Curtis Linsenbigler 1 0-0 3, Foster Cannon 1 0-0 2, Dillon Davis 0 0-0 0, Sawyer Cannon 0 0-0 0. TOTALS: 18 1-3 43.
JOHNSONBURG — 60
Christian Cherry 2 0-0 4, Kevin Benson 8 7-9 23, Ryan Kilhoffer 4 0-0 8, Zane Hodgdon 6 0-0 12, , Nate Burgeson 2 1-4 5, Drew Ackers 3 0-0 7, Jesse Tucker 0 0-0 0, Brian Feronti 0 1-2 1, Tyler Singer 0 0-0 0. TOTALS: 25 9-15 60.
Three-Point Field Goals – Curwensville 6 (Terry 3, Bloom 1, Marshall 1, Linsenbigler 1); Johnsonburg 1 (Ackers).
Score by Quarters:
Curwensville 10 10 4 19 – 43
Johnsonburg 22 13 17 8 – 60
Golden Tide Scoreboard:
| Date | Opponent | Score | Record |
| 12/05 | @ Mo Valley | 41 – 51 | 0 – 1 |
| 12/08 | @ Brockway | 53 – 51 | 1 – 1 |
| 12/10 | HARMONY | 52 – 43 | 2 – 1 |
| 12/12 | RIDGWAY | 33 – 38 | 2 – 2 |
| 12/15 | CLEARFIELD | 40 – 71 | 2 – 3 |
| 12/16 | WEST BRANCH | 61 – 81 | 2 – 4 |
| 12/19 | KANE | 55-57 ot | 2 – 5 |
| 01/02 | @ DuBois Central Catholic | 38 – 63 | 2 – 6 |
| 01/06 | JOHNSONBURG | 38 – 40 | 2 – 7 |
| 01/09 | MO VALLEY | ppd. | 2 – 7 |
| 01/14 | ELK COUNTY CATHOLIC | 36 – 63 | 2 – 8 |
| 01/16 | GLENDALE | 53 – 30 | 3 – 8 |
| 01/17 | MO VALLEY | 42 – 34 | 4 – 8 |
| 01/19 | @ West Branch | 42 – 59 | 4 – 9 |
| 01/20 | @ Ridgway | 40-41 ot | 4 – 10 |
| 01/23 | BROCKWAY | 45-50 ot | 4 – 11 |
| 01/26 | DUBOIS CENTRAL | ppd. | 4 – 11 |
| 01/28 | @ Harmony | 62 – 46 | 5 – 11 |
| 01/30 | @ Johnsonburg | 43 – 60 | 5 – 12 |
| 02/02 | @ Glendale | ||
| 02/03 | SHEFFIELD | ||
| 02/05 | DUBOIS CENTRAL | ||
| 02/06 | @ Kane | ||
| 02/09 | @ Clearfield |