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Michael Kresovich on basketball: Jersey Shore boys are getting hot at the right time

TIM WEIGHT/For The Express Damian Williams grabs a rebound for Jersey Shore during a game earlier this year against Central Mountain. The Bulldogs beat CM, 70-65, Monday to avenge an earlier-season loss (60-38).

Cayden Hess strolled to the free throw line as the Bulldogs clung to a narrow three-point lead over Central Mountain on Monday night. The junior guard converted both attempts and Jersey Shore held on for the 70-65 victory over the Wildcats.

The victory for Jersey Shore was much more than its fourth of the season and second in a row. It was what many consider to be a measuring stick win. Just weeks ago, the same Bulldogs team got routed by the Wildcats, 60-38, in Mill Hall.

Hess knew the victory was special for his team. The win for Jersey Shore marked the Bulldogs’ first win streak so far this season.

“It feels great, hopefully it’ll continue,” the junior said after his 17-point performance.

Hess, who runs the floor well for the Bulldogs and has shown tremendous rebounding ability this season, said the focus now is circled around playing team basketball.

“We wanted to win, like we wanted to win any way we could help our team. Whether it was getting to the rim, getting it to guys like Damian McAlister who was hitting all the threes.”

McAlister, who has shot the ball effectively from the outside for the Bulldogs as of late, drilled five 3s in Jersey Shore’s victory over Central Mountain.

Bulldogs coach Scott Munro has taken notice of his team’s effort as of late, especially Hess’s. Munro said now is the ideal time for his team to play their best ball.

“Cayden stepped up for us at the end and was huge for us, he showed a lot of guts and helped us finish the game off,” Munro said. “We always want to be our best at the end of the year. We’re getting to that point but who knows with all of this COVID stuff how many games we have left. I think we’re starting to put somethings together.”

It is more than Hess and McAlister that has the Bulldogs at a record of 4-7 and winners of two straight.

Jersey Shore point guard Tristan Gallick has been a matchup nightmare for opposing guards. The shifty, junior has the ability to finish acrobatic layups on both sides of the rim. Gallick has been posting some solid numbers as of late, tallying 23 and 12 in Jersey Shore’s last two outings.

Inside, Damian Williams has been a solid slasher for the Bulldogs. Williams gets to both the rim and the free throw line at a high rate. The junior has appeared in double digits in scoring almost every game this season. Complimenting Williams is Logan Bailey and Branden Wheary who both have the ability to score from the outside and play solid defense.

The Bulldogs have a solid opportunity to finish the year on an even better note. Jersey Shore ends its season against two opponents it has already defeated (Selinsgrove and Shamokin), and one team the Bulldogs came within four of (Montoursville).

CENTRAL MOUNTAIN (65)

Trevor Adair 8 0-0 18, Jack Hanna 7 0-3 14, Cayde McCloskey 4 0-0 12, Nick Long 3 3-7 10, Ashton Probst 1 3-6 5, Brett Gerlach 2 0-0 4, Aidan Major 1 0-1 2. Totals: 26 9-17 65.

JERSEY SHORE (70)

Damian McAlister 7 0-0 19, Cayden Hess 7 3-5 17, Damian Williams 6 2-5 16, Tristan Gallick 6 0-4 12, Owen Bloom 1 0-0 2, Branden Wheary 1 0-1 2, Logan Bailey 1 0-1 2. Totals: 29 5-16 70.

Central Mountain 13 16 17 19–65

Jersey Shore 28 8 20 14–70

3-point goals: Central Mountain 6 (McCloskey 4, Adair 2), Jersey Shore 5 (McAlister 5).

Records: Central Mountain (4-6), Jersey Shore (4-7).

PLAYER OF THE WEEK — Tristan Gallick, Jersey Shore

Gallick has been selected as Express Player of the Week for his offensive accomplishments.

The junior posted a game-high 23 points in the Bulldogs’ win Saturday over Shikellamy. Gallick followed up the performance with 12 points against Central Mountain on Monday night.

Michael Kresovich is the sports editor at the Lock Haven Express. He can be reached at mkresovich@lockhaven.com.

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