KC UPSET CAUSES FREE-FOR-ALL IN TITLE CHASE
                   THE RACE FOR THE TITLE DOWN TO THREE TEAMS
          ROAD TO CHAMPIONSHIP WILL GO THROUGH NORTH CLARION
                                                  By Jonathan Shaffer
Anything can and will happen in the KSAC. On any given night, an "underdog" can pull off the big one. Redbank Valley had done it to Keystone. Now Karns City is the latest school to accomplish the feat, handing North Clarion its second conference loss of the season with a stunning 68-65 victory in double overtime.
    But the loss was a piercing (but not fatal)  blow to the Wolves. North Clarion had destiny in its back pocket, holding a one-game lead over Clarion Area going into the KC contest. The Wolves were allowed one setback and still be in control of their own fate. Well, now North Clarion (11-2 KSAC) has NO margin for error, with Clarion Area and Keystone both victorious Feb. 4. CA (11-2) is now tied with North Clarion atop the standings, while Keystone (8-3), who needed a lot of luck and help from within the conference, pulled to within one game.
   The Wolves hold the advantage in the pursuit of the coveted conference title in that ther host games against Keystone AND Clarion Area. All the Wolves have to do is win out and the conference title is solely theirs. But that is MUCH easier said than done, especially with the competition they have left.
   North Clarion will play its fierce rival Keystone on Tuesday, Feb. 8. Not that the game needed any more drama, (it already gives Keystone the chance to avenge its 1-point loss at home to the Wolves, and, well, we all know the history of the rivalry) it lets the Panthers try to tie North Clarion in the standings. But a Keystone loss would sink all hope of the Panthers winning the conference. It is a game that Clarion Area will be watching very closely, as the Bobcats will surely be rooting for Keystone. A Keystone win will give CA sole possession of first place, barring CA continues its success. A North Clarion win would keep it tied with CA in the top slot.
   A North Clarion loss would then put Clarion Area an outstanding position,, as the Bobcats will travel to Wolves Country on the last day of the regular season, Feb. 18. North Clarion was dominated in the first contest and will have the advantage of having the Bobcats in its own house. Ladies and gentlemen, THIS will be the "Game of the Year". As much as I enjoy the hostile Keystone-North Clarion battles, I will conceed that this game will have enough implications and passion to be an instant classic. And if I'm wrong, well...you make the call.
   Clarion Area just needs to win out for sole possession of the conference crown, though it has to play upset-minded A-C Valley Feb. 8. Ugh! If this has been too tough to digest, below will be listed the possible scenarios and remaining schedules.

CLARION AREA- FEB. 8 VS. A-C VALLEY 6:30 p.m.
                                                   FEB. 11 VS. MONITEAU 6:30 p.m.
                                                   FEB. 16 AT BROOKVILLE (NON-CONFERENCE) 6:30 p.m.
                                                   FEB. 18 AT NORTH CLARION 6:30 p.m.

*If the Bobcats win out, they win the KSAC outright
*If Keystone beats North Clarion, the Bobcats could lose to the Wolves and still have a share of the title

KEYSTONE- FEB. 8 AT NORTH CLARION 6:30 p.m.
                                     FEB. 11 VS. REDBANK VALLEY 6:30 p.m.
                                     FEB. 14 AT KARNS CITY 6:00 p.m.
                                     FEB. 16 AT CLARION-LIMESTONE 6:30 p.m.
                                     FEB. 18 VS. A-C VALLEY 6:30 p.m.

*If the Panthers win out, they would need CA to lose two conference games and NC to lose another conference game to win the title outright (not probable, but hey...this is the KSAC)
*If the Panthers win out, they only need CA to lose once in order to earn a share of the title

NORTH CLARION- FEB. 8 VS. KEYSTONE 6:30 p.m.
                                                         FEB. 16 AT MONITEAU  6:00 p.m.
                                                         FEB. 18 VS. CLARION AREA 6:30 p.m.

*If the Wolves win out, they win the title outright
*If the Wolves lose to Keystone, they MUST beat CA to earn a share of the crown

Remember, if the top teams finish with the same record in the conference, there are NO tie-breakers, co-champions will be declared. Nothing is a sure thing in this conference so expect the unexpected. The true winners of this title race: the fans. I urge the fans to fill the gyms, set a good example and enjoy.

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                                                                          2/5/00