Cards Dominant in Season Opener

Josh Leininger passing to Kaden Lengle trying to work out the offense.

Keith Koppenhaver, Sports Editor

The Pine Grove Area Cardinals boys basketball team started off their season on Saturday, December 7th. The Cardinals would look to start off the season with a win over the Minersville Battlin’ Miners. Before the varsity team started their game, the junior varsity started on a high note. After the dominant, 68-20 win over the Miners junior varsity team, the Cardinals varsity team started off the first quarter strong. The starting lineup consisted of: Josh Leininger, Shea Morgan, Cody Griffiths, Zachary Hlavaty, and Kolby Geesey. To start the game, Hlavaty won the opening tip off. The first points of the season were scored on a layup by Leininger. Shortly after, Hlavaty followed with two points of his own. After a Miners time-out, they scored on a close jumper. Pine Grove followed by scoring five more points. The Miners followed with a three pointer of their own. Pine Grove started to gain momentum with a seven point run to end the first quarter, with a score of 15-6. 

The second quarter was back and forth between both teams. The Cardinals and Miners both scored three times to start the quarter, making the score 21-12 with a Cardinal lead. The Miners would fight back and score on two straight possessions. The Cardinals extended their lead with 6 straight points. Following that, the Miners hit a deep three pointer but Leininger answered with a fast break layup to end the second quarter. The score being 29-15 with the Cardinals leading the Miners. To start the third quarter, Hlavaty was fouled and made one of his two free throws. After the Miners scored on a lay

up, Kolby Geesey followed with a layup of his own. Following was a foul by Dalton Geesey, giving the Miners a chance at two points. They make the first free throw but miss the second. Later in the quarter, Griffiths hits a wide open three pointer to start the 7-1 run to end the quarter. Pine Grove was leading 39-18 to start the fourth quarter. 

The Miners were not giving up. The fourth quarter started with a three pointer made by the Miners. For the next few minutes no points were scored. With 5 more and 30 second left on the clock, Hlavaty made two layups to keep the lead for the Cardinals. The Miners were still battling by making a three pointer to try and regain some momentum. Griffths iced the game by making a three pointer with 2 minutes and 53 seconds left in the game. The Miners followed by hitting a three pointer but Kolby Geesey made one of his own. The last shot of the game was taken with 42 seconds left by the Miners. The final score was 49-30 with a Cardinal victory. The Cardinals started their season off with a win.