STEUBENVILLE — The Catholic Central boys basketball team got the shot it wanted, but not the result.

Trailing by three with 20.3 seconds left to play, the Crusaders called a timeout to set up a final play. Catholic Central worked the ball around and got an open look for 3 from the wing, however, the shot was short. Fortunately for the Crusaders, they were able to gather in the offensive rebound, however, another 3 from the corner was off the mark and River was able to secure this rebound as the Crusaders ended up fouling with .5 seconds still showing on the scoreboard clock.

The Pilots missed both free throws, however, the Crusaders were not able to take advantage as time ran out enabling River to hold on for a 49-46 victory Friday night inside the Mickey Barber Gymnasium.

“We wanted to take a 3-point shot,” Catholic Central (4-5) head coach Don Ogden said. “We set up a play, and we got the shot we wanted. As a coach, that is all you can ask. We were able to get the shot we wanted, but our player just did not make it. I have full confidence in him to make that shot. If not, I wouldn’t have called for him to take that shot.”

The score was tied at 37 entering the fourth quarter. The boys from Monroe County outscored the hosts, 12-9, in the fourth to pull out the victory.

“Overall, the last couple of games, our focus has been on our effort,” Ogden said. “The last two games, I couldn’t be prouder of our effort. We just have to do a better job in game situations and shot selection in game situations, but our effort was there. That is something we can build on, and we will build on it.”

The victory enabled the visitors to sweep the season series as the Pilots defeated the Crusaders, 68-31, Dec. 23 at home down at the R.L. Potts Gymnasium.

“Effort,” Ogden said asked what was the difference between the two games. “There was a lot of running after that loss, but tonight was a huge turnaround. They are a good team. They only have one loss. They are well coached. They have some great shooters. They move the ball well.

“They gave us some trouble in the second quarter. They went to a halfcourt trap, and it gave us some trouble. We were able to adjust to it. We settled down, and we did OK.”

Rahim Mitchell tallied a game-high 25 points to lead the way offensively for the Blue-and-Gold, Michael Fabbro finished with 12 and Kolbe Krupp collected eight. Mitchell and Fabbro each recorded two 3-pointers in the loss.

Crestyn Islay contributed a team-high 17 points to lead the way for the boys in red, Evan Longwell ended up with 16 and Peyton Reese produced nine. Islay drained four 3-pointers in the win, while Longwell delivered three.

The Crusaders got off to a good start as the boys in white took a 16-11 into the second quarter.

“Our biggest lead was at the end of the first and at the start of the second,” Ogden said. “They did a nice job of pressuring us. They were able to force some turnovers. They forced us to play hurried up, but we were able to battle back.”

The Pilots outscored the Crusaders, 9-6, in the second as Catholic Central took a 22-20 advantage into the locker room at halftime. River responded in the third as it outscored the home team, 17-15, to knot the score entering the fourth.

“I told the guys they can feel sorry for themselves tonight, but tomorrow is a different game,” Ogden said. “If we continue to get consistent effort like we have the last two games, I like our shot.”

Catholic Central is set to travel to take on Tuscarawas Central Catholic tonight on the road. The JV game is set to start at 6 p.m. with the varsity game to follow at around 7:30.

“We scouted them once, and we watched film on them,” Ogden said about the Saints. “They have a one guy who is 6-7 and another guy who is 6-5. They are going to be a formidable opponent. They have the height advantage. Rebounding is going to be key. We are going to have to rebound the basketball and not let them get putbacks.”

River is slated to play county rival Monroe Central Friday night on the road.

River 49, Catholic Central 46

River 11 9 17 12 – 49

Catholic Central 16 6 15 9 – 46

RIVER (8-1): Longwell 5 3-4 16, Miller 1 0-0 2, Hunt 1 0-0 2, Islay 5 3-5 17, Abbott 1 1-1 3, Stalder 0 0-0 0, Milhoan 0 0-0 0, Weese 3 3-6 9. TOTALS: 16 10-16 49.

CATHOLIC CENTRAL (4-5): Fabbro 5 0-0 12, Bryan 0 0-0 0, Mitchell 11 1-1 25, Cherepko 0 0-0 0, E. Krivoniak 0 0-0 0, Krupp 4 0-0 8, Hough 0 1-2 1. TOTALS: 20 2-3 46.

3-POINTERS: River 7 (Islay 4, Longwell 3); Catholic Central 4 (Fabbro 2, Mitchell 2)