By Jeff Richards

GIRLS BASKETBALL

McConnellsburg 50, Fairfield 31.  The Lady Spartans hosted the Fairfield Knights in a non-conference game Saturday, December 14^th and maintained double digit leads from the second quarter on.  The Spartans (3-2 overall, 0-0 ICC South) had a big night with 16 points from junior guard Serenity Rengifo, followed by junior forward Jeniah Lowery with 12 points. 

To end the first quarter, Lowery hit a three-pointer with seconds to go to give the Spartans a nine-point lead.  In the mid second quarter, the Spartans offense opened up to a 13-point spread and at half time had matched their 15-point first quarter scoring leading 30-13.

Spartans scoring tempo cooled in the third quarter but they maintained a double-digit advantage at the third quarter ending, leading 35-22.

The Knights did amp up their scoring in the third and fourth quarters, but their field goal shooting percentage fell short to slow the Spartan offense.  Also, defensively, Spartan Brookelynn Gelvin had a strong night showing scrappy play to get steals, and contribute to disrupt the Knight offensive flow.

Coach Jeff Gelvin expressed, “I was pleased the girls were able to hold a good, consistent lead, and in staying composed in bringing the ball up with the Fairfield’s fourth quarter back court pressing attempts.  We reduced turnovers from the prior game by a lot and that’s a big plus.  We will continue to work on our free throw shooting as we can do better.”

Spartan scoring: Maggie Mellott 2 0-4 2, Serenity Rengifo 4 6-8 16, Lucy Brun 1 2-2 5, Sydney Buterbaugh 1 0-2 2, Journie Jefferson 3 1-2 7, Brookelynn Gelvin 2 0-2 4, Jeniah Lowery 5 1-2 12, Totals 18 10-22 50

3-point shots — 4 (Rengifo 2, Brun 1, Lowery 1).  

Spartans’ totals:  28 rebounds, 4 blocked shots.  Mellott led with 9 rebounds.  FTM% 45.5%

Fairfield scoring: Hannah Myer 4 0-0 10, Journey Coons 1 0-0 2, Aubrey Eichenlaub 0 3-4 3, Sophia Kliendist 2 0-0 5, Olivia Sanciero 3 0-0 6, Karina Miller 2 1-2 5, Totals 12 4-6 31

3-point shots — 3 (Myer 2, Kliendist 1).  

Knights’ totals:  rebounds 25, turnovers 26, blocked shots 5, fouls 16, FTM% 66.7%

Fairfield                   6     7    9    9  —   31

McConnellsburg    15   15    5  15  —   50

Next Up:  McConnellsburg girls JV/V teams will host North Star Cougars in ICC non-division games on Tuesday, December 17^th starting at 6 PM.

Notes:  JV girls’ result:  MHS 18 Fairfield 11