The Portage Mustangs suffered their closest loss yet this season on Thursday. They fell just short of Conemaugh Valley by a score of 73-71. While losing is never fun, Portage can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Pennsylvania basketball rankings (they are ranked 355th, while Conemaugh Valley is ranked 115th).
Portage's defeat came despite a true team effort from the offense, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Owen Gouse, who scored 19 points along with five assists. The team also got some help courtesy of Bode Layo, who scored 20 points along with seven rebounds and two blocks.
Even though they lost, Portage were working as a unit and finished the game with 18 assists. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Conemaugh Valley only racked up eight assists.
Conemaugh Valley was led to victory by Jeremy Dietz and Landon Percinsky. Dietz scored 19 points along with seven rebounds, while Percinsky dropped a double-double on 18 points and 11 rebounds. Percinsky has been hot recently, having posted eight or more rebounds the last 12 times he's played. Bryton Yackulich was another key contributor, scoring ten points.
This is the second loss in a row for Portage and nudges their season record down to 7-6. As for Conemaugh Valley, the win was the eighth in a row for them, bringing their record for this year to 16-1.
Both squads are looking forward to the support of their home crowds in their upcoming games. Portage will take on Forest Hills at 7:15 p.m. on Monday. Forest Hills has been dominant on offense recently, as they've racked up an incredible 486 points over their last seven contests. As for Conemaugh Valley, they will look to defend their home court on Wednesday against Conemaugh Township at 7:15 p.m. Conemaugh Township has been dominant on offense recently, as they've racked up an incredible 927 points over their last 14 matchups.
