Basketball Recap: Darian Hershberger's Big Game Can't Quite Lead Mabel-Canton over Alden-Conger

Mabel-Canton was the 60-57 winner over Alden-Conger when they last played one another back in December of 2023, but their luck changed this time around. The matchup between the Mabel-Canton Cougars and the Alden-Conger Knights didn't end well, with the Mabel-Canton Cougars falling 83-66. The Cougars have now taken an 'L' in back-to-back games.

Several Cougars players turned in solid performances despite ultimately coming up short. Perhaps the best among those players was Darian Hershberger, who went 5 for 7 on his way to 13 points in addition to six boards and five assists. Those five assists gave Hershberger a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Tyler Larson, who went 6 of 14 on his way to 16 points along with seven rebounds and three steals.

Even though they lost, Mabel-Canton smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 12 offensive boards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least eight offensive boards in eight consecutive games dating back to last season.

Mabel-Canton's defeat dropped their record down to 1-5. As for Alden-Conger, their win bumped their record up to 2-6.

A feisty cat fight will be fought when the Mabel-Canton Cougars duke it out with the Bethlehem Academy Cardinals at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday. Mabel-Canton knows how to get points on the board -- the squad has finished with 55 points or more in their past three contests -- so hopefully Bethlehem Academy likes a good challenge. As for Alden-Conger, they will face off against Loyola at 7:00 p.m. on January 3, 2025. Considering Alden-Conger has lost three straight at home and Loyola four straight on the road , this one might come down to who's more desperate to change their momentum.