High school basketball tournament action got underway yesterday. At Richland, the Homer Center girls beat Conemaugh Township, 45-41, led by Maggie Arone’s 18 points and 16 from Kennidy Page. The Wildcats’ boys fell to Derry, 53-37
At the Purchase Line Tournament, the Ligonier Valley boys nipped Clearfield, 80-78, behind 28 points by Michael Marinchak and 23 by Marek Paola. In the final tonight, The Rams will play tournament host Purchase Line, a 70-51 winner over Harmony.
At the Boswell Tournament, United fell to Shanksville-Stoneycreek, 52-41.
At Central Cambria, the Blairsville boys put a scare into the host team, but lost to the Red Devils, 54-51. Adam Ratkus scored 18 and Jesse Klingensmith had 16 for the Bobcats.
At the Portage Tournament, the Penns Manor boys survived a thriller with Keystone Oaks, coming away with a 59-58 victory.
At the Apollo Ridge Tournament, the Saltsburg girls whipped Highlands, 63-28, but the Trojans’ boys lost to the host school, 54-44. Dylan Palmer scored 14 for Saltsburg.
At the Punxsutawney Tournament, Jackie Fetsko scored 21 points and Laney Monroe added 11 as the Marion Center girls beat Hazleton, 45-42. The Stingers’ boys opened their game against Punxsy with an 11-4 advantage, but the Chucks came back to grab a 71-49 win.