Impressive win for Red Raider boys

Junior Mike Malizia has been asserting himself in the frontcourt. He's an important source of defense and rebounding for the Red Raiders. He put in 13 points in Thursday's win.

Cameron County fired the shot heard 'round District 9 Thursday night with a 90-60 blowout of visiting Clarion- Limestone in the boys' basketball playoff opener.

That win propels the Red Raiders into a quarterfinal round showdown Saturday at 7 pm at DuBois Central Catholic, the returning state runner-up.

Cameron County (18-5) needs a win on Saturday to keep its season alive. Whoever wins Saturday's game meets either Rocky Grove (24-1) or Northern Potter next Monday or Tuesday in the D9 semifinals. That winner advances the district championship game Thursday night at Clarion University.

Outside shooting and a fastbreak offense produced the bulk of the Raiders' seasonhigh 90 points before the home crowd on Thursday.

Charlie Holjencin nailed four three-pointers on his way to a game-high 22 points. Jordan Crane had a trey and finished with 19. Sullivan nailed three of the long shots and finished with 16 points. Mike Malizia asserted himself inside and finished with 13 points.

The Raiders shot a sizzling 54 percent from the floor. They built an early21-14 lead to 45-26 by the intermission, then hiked the margin to 69-39 entering the final stanza

D9 Boys' Playoffs Opening Round

Johnsonburg 72, Union 47

Keystone 72, Otto-Eldred 40

Elk CC 47, Clarion 30

DuBois CC 60, Curwensville 45

Cameron County 90, C-L 60

N. Potter 52, Venango Cath. 50

Quarterfinals (Saturday) Johnsonburg at Coudersport

Keystone at Elk CC

Cameron County at DuBois CC

N. Potter at Rocky Grove