Kehler on Hoops: CUMBERLAND VALLEY DEFEATS CENTRAL DAUPHIN 52-49

Written by: Dell Jackson on December 20, 2021

CUMBERLAND VALLEY DEFEATS CENTRAL DAUPHIN 52-49

Cumberland Valley overcame a 16 point third quarter deficit to upset previously unbeaten host Central Dauphin 52-49 in a Mid Penn Conference Commonwealth Division matchup. Trailing 37-21 late in the third frame, Cumberland Valley launched a furious rally–aided by some questionable shot selection, turnovers, and fouls by Central Dauphin–to cop a stunning victory.

At the outset, the game was fairly even. 6′ 3″ Cumberland Valley senior Grant Kuffa made three 3 pointers in the first quarter, but five Central Dauphin players scored in the first frame, including 6′ 8″ senior Donovan Hill, who had nine points in the first stanza. Central Dauphin forged ahead in the second quarter, aided by five Cumberland Valley turnovers. Central Dauphin’s interior defense was impressive in the second frame, and Cumberland Valley’s tally in the second quarter was two free throws and one field goal. However, Cumberland Valley out-rebounded Central Dauphin 13 to 6 in the second quarter, and Central Dauphin did not attempt a free throw in the second stanza. At halftime, Central Dauphin had a comfortable 28-19 lead.

Up by nine at the beginning of the third quarter, Central Dauphin went on a 9-2 run on two free throws by senior Andrew Renaldi, a 3 pointer by Hill, a hoop inside by junior Keon Dockens, and a spinning move by Hill. That gave Central Dauphin the biggest lead of the game at 37-21. Cumberland Valley’s Jackson Boone, a 6′ 5″ junior, responded with a three point play, and the visitors’ counterattack was on.

Cumberland Valley had a strong fourth quarter, scoring both inside and outside, while Central Dauphin had four turnovers in the frame and gave insufficient attention to clock management in their shot selection. However, the key to Cumberland Valley’s comeback was that they went to the free throw line 14 times in the fourth quarter, sinking 10 of the attempts. With 3:36 left in the game, Cumberland Valley’s Kuffa tied the score at 46 on a 3 pointer, his fifth make from behind the arc. Then, Cumberland Valley forged ahead 48-46 on a drive by 6′ senior Spencer Titus, who scored all 10 of his points in this game in the fourth quarter. Central Dauphin’s Hill tied the game at 48 on a couple of free throws, but Titus responded with another drive to give the visitors a 50-48 lead. Central Dauphin’s last ditch efforts fell short.

Cumberland Valley had a 36 to 28 advantage on the boards. Cumberland Valley committed 13 turnovers to 10 for the Rams. The visitors were 15 for 24 from the free throw line, and Central Dauphin was 8 for 13. Cumberland Valley made five 3 pointers, all of them by Kuffa, while Central Dauphin made three shots from beyond the arc. There were four ties and three lead changes.

Cumberland Valley has now won four games in succession, and they are 4-2 on the season. Central Dauphin is 4-1.

Cumberland Valley scoring: Grant Kuffa 20, Jackson Boone 17, Spencer Titus 10, J.D. Hunter 3, and Troy Collard 2.

Central Dauphin scoring: Donovan Hill 30, Keon Dockens 5, Andrew Renaldi 4, Daron Haggans 4, Christian Wilburn 2, Max Mosey 2, and Travis Linn 2.

Cumberland Valley 15 4 9 24-52
Central Dauphin 18 10 11 10-49

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