CLARION — It just wasn’t their night.

Cameron County’s bid for its first District 9 title since 1973 came up short Saturday at the hands of Clarion-Limestone, 72-53 at Clarion University’s Tippin Gym.

The Lions captured the Class A crown in front of a capacity crowd of more than 3,000 fans, their first title since 1961.

“Sometimes it’s not your night,” said Cameron County Jon Songer. “I’m extremely proud of these kids, the way they battled tonight, the way they’ve battled all year. To think about how far we’ve come from the beginning of the season until right now is special. I know they’re sad right now, but when they get a chance to reflect on reaching the district finals, they’ll be proud of what they accomplished.”

Of course, the season isn’t over for Cameron County, as they will enter the PIAA playoffs as the No. 2 team from District 9, where they will meet Saltsburg (D-6 No.3)

But back to Saturday night’s affair.

The Red Raiders were unable to overcome a hot shooting night from Clarion-Limestone, specifically star point guard R.J. Laugand.

Laugand, a three-time all-district selection, was on fire in the first half, connecting on four 3s as CL raced out to a 37-24 halftime lead. It was part of an 18-point effort, with 16 coming in the first half.

It wasn’t just the fact that Laugand was making 3s, but the fact that all of them were contested, some from well beyond the arc. Leading 21-18, he connected from deep on back-to-back possessions to spearhead a 20-6 run to end the half, starting after Cameron County took an 18-17 lead on a triple from Trae Smith.

“He’s a terrific basketball player,” Songer said. “Not only can he penetrate, but he can’t shoot. You’re thinking about different ways to deny him, but if he wasn’t shooting, he was driving and making a play for somebody else.”

The stars certainly shined on Saturday night, as Laugand’s effort was matched by the Red Raiders’ Nate Sestina.

The opening minute of the game was a sign of things to come for the star forward and Bucknell recruit, as his three-point play, coupled with a three by Smith to start the game, gave Cameron County a 6-0 lead less than a minute into the game. It was part of a 27-point, 19-rebound, 4-block effort on 10-of-21 shooting.

“Just a tremendous effort by Nate — he’s been doing it all year,” Songer said. “Like all the kids, he gave it his all and I thought he really asserted himself on the block. He was real sick tonight, but he came out here and just played a terrific game.”

Cameron County came out on a 5-0 run to start the second half on a three by Keith Spehalski and a layup by Smith to cut the deficit to eight, 37-29.

Every time the Red Raiders tried to make a push, however, CL counter-punched in what was an up-tempo, entertaining style of basketball — the kind the Lions have thrived on all year as District 9’s top scoring team at over 70 points per game.

“It was tough out there tonight,” Songer said. “I felt like we had a little run going and then they’re big guy (Dan Callen) comes down and hits a three. Give credit to Clarion-Limestone, they deserve the championship.”

Callen, at 6-6, as well as 6-5 Kolton Stiglitz weren’t able to slow down Sestina, but they did make him work for his points. Offensively, the duo combined for 23 points — 12 from Stiglitz and 11 from Callen and 15 rebounds (Callen 9, Stiglitz  5). Noah Rankin also had 14 points, giving CL four players in double figures.

“We knew Nate was going to get his points and weren’t concerned as much with that as their off guards,” Clarion-Limestone coach Joe Ferguson said. “They have some decent shooters and it played out like we were hoping it would. The only thing that didn’t play out as we planned was the way they started out. They were on fire and that was a concern that we would come out flat.”

Cameron County couldn’t get any closer than 13 in the fourth quarter, as Songer removed Sestina late in the game to a well-deserved ovation — with the C-L players in a classy gesture among that group — and the rest of the starters a short time after, minus James Guisto, who had already fouled out.

“The kids battled, gave it their all and had nothing left in the tank,”  Songer said. “The atmosphere and fan support was just great. I told them before the game to enjoy this, to look up in the stands and see everybody here from Emporium cheering you guys on. Our season’s not over. Now it’s a completely different tournament. We’ve won 23 games, were North Tier League champions and district runner-up. How many people thought that was possible? Probably not many.”

NOTES: Spehalski had 3 steals and 3 assists, both team highs … this was Cameron County’s first title game appearance since a 57-41 loss to Elk County Christian in 1995 … It was the Red Raiders’ third title game appearance since 1973, with 1980 being the other year, a73-59 loss to East Brady (now Karns City), who went on to win the state title that season … Saltsburg beat St. Joseph’s Catholic Academy 67-54 Friday to earn the third and final bid from District 6 … Clarion-Limestone will play the No. 5 team from District 7, Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic … C-L shot 52 percent from the floor and Cameron County 36 percent … Laugand also had 9 assists, 4 rebounds and 3 steals and Josh Kahle had 8 rebounds.

CLARION-LIMESTONE 72, CAMERON COUNTY 53

Score By Quarters

C-L                         15        22        17        18        –           72

Cameron Co.           13        11        17        12        –           53

C-L – 72

R.J. Laugand 7-15 0-0 18, Josh Kahle 4-10 0-0 8, Jesse Pezzuti 4-6 0-9 9, Kolton Stiglitz 6-9 0-0 12, Dan Callen 4-11 2-4 11, Noah Rankin 6-7 2-4 14, Devin Beers 0-0 0-0 0, Bailey Wrhen 0-0 0-0 0, Nate Forrest 0-0 0-0 0, Travis Aites 0-0 0-0 0, Cesar Lopez 0-1 0-0 0. Totals: 31-59 4-8 72.

Cameron Co. – 53

James Guisto 1-4 0-0 2, Trae Smith 4-12 0-0 11, Michael Slusarick 0-3 1-2 1, Keith Spehalski 4-13 0-0 10, Nate Sestina 10-21 6-11 27, Vinny Olivett 0-0 0-0 0, Adam Shaffer 0-0 0-0 0, Austin Doud 0-0 0-0 0, Dominic Nellis 1-2 0-0 2, Bryce Bauer 0-0 0-0 0, Derrick Rieder 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 20-55 7-13 53.

3-pointers: C-L 6-18 (Laugand 4-8, Pezzuti 1-3, Callen 1-4, Kahle 0-1, Stiglitz 0-2), Cameron County 6-22 (Smith 3-9, Spehalski 2-9, Sestina 1-4). Rebounds: C-L 36 (Callen 9), Cameron County 35 (Sestina 19). Turnovers: Cameron County 19, C-L 11.