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Central Mountain boys open season with win over Jersey Shore

Central Mountain was in control from the game’s tip to the final buzzer Saturday night, defeating Jersey Shore 60-38.

The Wildcats used an 18-5 opening quarter to set the tone in the game. Sophomore forward Jack Hanna led all scorers with 16 points in the victory for Central Mountain.

Hanna scored 12 of Central Mountain’s first 21 points.

“It’s nice to number one be in the gym,” Central Mountain coach Tyler Bardo said. “You know there was going to be a lot of intensity. Central Mountain, Jersey Shore there always is. We feel good for what it is but it’s game one, it’s going to be a long season that goes fairly quickly. We just have to continue to ascend.”

The Wildcats came out in an aggressive man-to-man defense against the Bulldogs. For the entirety of the night, Jersey Shore had a difficult time handling the ball. The Wildcats collected various first-half steals and converted them into points.

After jumping out to a 13-point lead at the end of the first quarter, Central Mountain kept its foot on the gas. The Wildcats made plays on both ends of the floor. Jersey Shore was limited to just five total points in the second quarter.

It was a solid quarter for both Cayde McCloskey and Nick Long. McCloskey drilled two three-pointers to expand Central Mountain’s lead, and Long finished with seven first half rebounds.

The Wildcats took a 29-13 lead into the half.

Jersey Shore’s offense played its best quarter in the third. The Bulldogs outscored the Wildcats 11-9 behind Damian Williams’ five points.

Williams finished the game with eight points on the night.

The fourth and final quarter of action proved to be pull-away time for the Wildcats. Central Mountain was able to get various open looks on fast breaks. Aidan Major’s three-pointer at the 5:40 mark put the Wildcats up 19, and the game out of reach.

Central Mountain held on for the double-digit victory in its season-opener.

Bardo said the key to the victory was taking it one quarter at a time.

“We just tried to mentally reset to the next quarter. With these guys, we just had a goal we tried to keep them to. They kept battling all the way through the bench.” They understand how to play the game the right way. It means that they love to play the game of basketball together. It speaks to their work ethic and character. They just kept working.”

Central Mountain 60, Jersey Shore 38.

Central Mountain (60)

Jack Hanna 6 2-4 16, Nick Long 6 1-1 13, Aidan Major 5 0-0 11, Cayde McCloskey 3 0-0 9, Trevor Adair 2 1-1 7, Ashton Probst 0 1-2 1, Ryan Pentz 1 1-2 3.

Jersey Shore (38)

Damian Williams 3 2-6 8, Damian McCalister 4 0-0 8, Branden Wheary 2 0-0 5, Logan Bailey 2 0-0 5, Cayden Hess 2 0-0 4, Tirstan Gallick 1 0-0 3, Owen Bloom 1 1-1 3, Mason Miller 1 0-0 2.

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