TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Central Mountain junior Noah Wells (5) shoots a contested layup during the team's 69-49 loss to Shamokin on Saturday at Central Mountain.

On Saturday night, the Central Mountain boys basketball team stepped onto its home court to compete for the first time since its opener on Dec. 4, taking on Shamokin (9-2) for its first HAC-I bout of the season having just come off a seven-game road stint where it went 2-5. There, the Indians prevailed, defeating the Wildcats 69-49 despite a slow start.

Though Central Mountain was able to get out to a 15-7 lead through the first behind a balanced attack, things quickly fell apart from there, as Shamokin closed out the half with a monstrous 25-point second to turn its eight-point deficit into a seven-point lead. From there, it’d continue building on its lead, outscoring the Wildcats 37-24 through the second half.

The loss came despite a career effort from junior Noah Wells, who finished with a career-high 22 points, five rebounds and two steals. Hunter Hoy added 13 and five boards, Jeremy Reese led the team in rebounds with seven and Darius Shade led it in steals with three.

For Shamokin, senior captain Joe Hile was a big a factor in its rally through the last three quarters, leading the team with 17 points. Xzavier Baker (14) and Jennsyn Shuey (11) also surpassed double figures, and five Indians logged multiple baskets in that tide-turning second quarter.

The Wildcats return to action on Wednesday against Jersey Shore, with that set to begin at 7:30 p.m. at Central Mountain.

Shamokin 69, Central Mountain 49

SHAMOKIN (69)

Logan Steele 2 0-0 4; Joe Hile 7 2-4 17; Xzavier Baker 5 3-3 14; Cru Schroyer 2 1-2 5; Colin Steinhart 3 0-0 6; Case Litchy 2 0-0 5; Xavier Paul 2 1-2 5; Jenssyn Shuey 4 1-2 11. Totals 27 8-13 69.

CENTRAL MOUNTAIN (49)

Blake Walker 3 0-0 6; Max Verrelli 0 3-3 3; Hunter Hoy 4 5-8 13; Caleb Mahoney 2 0-0 4. Jeremy Reese 0 1-2 1; Noah Wells 9 2-4 22. Totals 18 11-17 49.

Shamokin – 7 25 20 17 – 69

C. Mountain – 15 10 13 11 – 49

Three-pointers: Shamokin 4 (Hile 1, Baker 1, Litchy 1, Shuey 1); Central Mountain 2 (Wells 2). Records: Shamokin 9-2 (1-0 HAC-I); Central Mountain 3-6 (0-1 HAC-I).