It was Kiahna Jones who stole the show in Central Mountain’s 49-15 victory over Jersey Shore on Monday night. The sophomore sensation led the Wildcats with 13 points and recorded an astonishing 15 rebounds, along with five blocks.

The more impressive statistic is that she registered more offensive rebounds (nine) than defensive (six).

“For offensive rebounding, I mostly go for them, because I can get put backs and more points for my team,” Jones said.

Central Mountain coach Scott Baker said, “I thought she was very active on the offensive glass tonight and she finished well, so that was a good sign.”

Jones also shot the ball efficiently, connecting on six of 11 field goals.

My mindset was prepared for the game today,” Jones said. “I missed a shot and went back and fixed it up.”

Jersey Shore freshman Celia Shemory and sophomore Rachel Lorson led the Bulldogs with four points apiece.

For the Bulldogs, they struggled to find an answer on Central Mountain’s tightly-knit defense. Jersey Shore freshman Jocelyn McCracken’s layup with a minute left in the first quarter was the first bucket of the game for the Bulldogs as the Wildcats led 8-2 after the first.

Jersey Shore showed promise in the beginning of the second quarter as Shemory scored quickly for the Bulldogs. Jersey Shore’s Lorson also was impactful as she drew three fouls to shoot six free throws. However, Central Mountain responded with a 16-3 run to end the quarter, as its shots started to fall more efficiently in the second and defense contiuned to skyrocket. By the end of the first half, Central Mountain freshman Ava Renninger and senior Quinlynn McCann had three steals apiece, as the Wildcats led 24-7 at the break.

Out of the halftime break, Jersey Shore started incorporating a 2-3 zone in attempt to mitigate the scoring efficiency of the Wildcats. However, the Wildcats were not phased as they started the quarter on a 9-0 outburst. Renninger hit a three-pointer in the third quarter, the first three-point goal by the Wildcats. The Wildcats used an inside the paint approach throughout the game as Renninger’s three in the third quarter was the first of only two threes made by the Wildcats. Driving into the basket was the offensive strategy for them in the game, as they led 44-13 after the third.

The Bulldogs put forth a valiant effort in the fourth quarter, but the Wildcats continued with their high-powered defense. By the end of the game, the Wildcats ended with a total of 16 steals, as McCann recorded half of them with eight.

Coach Baker knew that capitalizing on Jersey Shore’s youth was key in their defense.

“Jersey Shore are a young team, so we knew that our defensive pressure could disrupt them,” Baker said. “We had success with them when we played them ten days ago with our defensive pressure, so we knew that was something that could really put a stop on them.”

JERSEY SHORE (15)

Celia Shemory 2 0-0 4, Rachel Lorson 1 2-6 4, Jocelyn McCracken 1 1-2 3, Emma Kauffman 1 0-0 2, Delaney Herbst 1 0-0 2. Totals 6 3-8 15.

CENTRAL MOUNTAIN (49)

Kiahna Jones 6 0-3 12, Ava Renninger 5 0-0 11, Avery Baker 4 2-2 10, Quinlynn McCann 2 3-4 7, Alyssa Fisher 1 0-0 3, Reese Doyle 1 0-0 2, McKenzie Bubb 1 0-0 2, Mia Kopyscianski 1 0-0 2. Totals 21 6-9 49.

Selinsgrove 7 6 16 10 9 – 48

Central Mountain 10 5 15 9 6 – 62

3-point goals: Central Mountain 2 (Renninger, Fisher).

Records: Central Mountain (7-1), Jersey Shore (2-10).