JOHNSONBURG — Dan Nelson made his Johnsonburg coaching debut in style, as the Rams knocked off county rival and defending District 9 Class A champion Elk County Catholic, 49-44.
Three different Rams finished in double figures, as Cameron Stelene poured in a game-high 20 points, while Gabe Watts added 15 points and Eric Christoff had 11.
The game was close throughout, as the Rams (1-0) led ECC (3-1) by just one after the first quarter and four after halftime and again entering the fourth. The Rams used a 7-for-9 performance from the charity stripe to buoy themselves in the fourth quarter and seal the game.
The Crusaders were paced by Mark Kraus’ 17 points, which included five makes from downtown. Charlie Breindl scored 11. ECC hit seven treys as a team.
AT JOHNSONBURG
Elk Catholic (44)
Mark Kraus 6 0-0 17, Charlie Breindl 3 3-3 11, Jansen 1 4-5 6, DePrator 2 0-0 4, McAllister 3 0-0 6 . Totals: 15 7-8 44
Johnsonburg (49)
Cameron Stelene 9 2-2 20, Gabe Watts 5 5-8 15, Eric Christoff 3 3-4 11, Myers 1 0-0 3. Totals: 18 10-16 49
Elk Catholic 9 17 30 44
Johnsonburg 8 21 34 49
Three-point goals: ECC 7 (Kraus 5, Breindl 2), Jburg 3 (Christoff 2, Myers); Total fouls: ECC 15, Jburg 11; fouled out: None.
JV: ECC won, 29-25.
GIRLS
Otto-Eldred 43, Smethport 20
SMETHPORT — Otto-Eldred hit nine shots from deep range to top Smethport for the second time this week.
Katie Sheeler (20 points) led the way for O-E (3-0) with five treys and six steals, while Emmalee Sheeler (eight points) hit two deep shots and had four rebounds and two steals. Bri Heller had six points, three rebounds and three steals.
For Smethport (0-4), the game was a marked improvement from the Lady Hubbers’ first matchup with O-E, a 62-16 decision on Monday. Elizabeth Hungiville scored four points and had seven rebounds, while Corin McClain scored six points and had six rebounds and three steals. Danielle Nelson led the Lady Hubs in scoring with seven points, which included a three.
“I’m super proud of the effort the girls gave tonight after playing on back-to-back nights,” Smethport coach Chad Goodman said.
AT SMETHPORT
Otto-Eldred (43)
Katie Sheeler 7 1-2 20, Merry 1 0-2 3, E. Sheeler 3 0-2 8, K. Heller 2 1-2 6, B. Heller 3 0-3 6. Totals: 16 2-11 43
Smethport (20)
Danielle Nelson 3 0-0 7, Lutz 0 1-2 1, Hungiville 2 0-0 4, Tanner 1 0-2 2, McClain 2 2-2 6. Totals: 8 3-6 20
Otto-Eldred 15 23 33 43
Smethport 4 14 16 20
Three-point goals: O-E 9 (Merry 1, K. Sheeler 5, E. Sheeler 2, K. Heller 1), Smethport 1 (Nelson); Total fouls: O-E 7, Smethport 9; fouled out: None.
JV: Smethport won.
