Fannett-Metal (3-3 overall, 3-1 ICC) lost 70-50 in the opening round of their own Christmas Tournament to eventual champion Maryland School of the Deaf.  (MSD beat MCConnellsburg 74-52 in the Championship Game).

The Tigers trailed 28-24 at the half but a poor 3rd quarter was the difference in the game.  The Tigers placed two players in double figures led by Wyatt Appleby with 14 points and 8 rebounds.  Luke Coffman had 10 points and 3 steals while Riley Martin chipped in 6 points and 7 rebounds.  “MSD is a very aggressive team that causes you to play fast.  We just had too many untimely turnovers in the 3rd quarter that they turned into transition points”, said Fannett- Metal Coach Paul Coffman.

In the consolation game, The Tigers fell to Shalom Christian Academy 51-50.  The Tigers trailed 16-15 after the first quarter and 29-26 at the half in a back and forth game.  The two teams played even in the 3rd quarter as the Tigers still trailed 40-37.  The Tigers trailed 51-50 in the 4th with 4 seconds to go when an offensive putback rimmed out.  “We had a couple chances in the final minute to take the lead but just couldn’t get the key bucket to take the lead.  We played extremely hard the entire game. I was very proud of our effort tonight, we left everything we had on the court.  We have faced some adversity this season with key injuries, we just need to get healthy and stay healthy for the stretch run”, Coffman said.

Leading the Tigers was Wyatt Appleby with 24 points and 7 rebounds. Luke Coffman added 9 points and 4 assists, Riley Martin had 7 points and 7 rebounds, and Drew Goshorn had 7 points and 10 rebounds.  “Defensively, Ayden Warren played an outstanding game on their leading scorer holding him to 8 points”.

Wyatt Appleby was named the Tournament MVP.

The Tigers will return to action on Tuesday night against ICC foe Everett Warriors.  The JV game will start at 6:00.

McConnelsburg came up short in championship game, losing to Maryland School of the Deaf 75-54 . The Spartans where lead by Kole Truax with 28 points 19 rebounds, Kamren Walls with 8 points 2 assist, Kyle Romig with 8 points and 8 rebounds