By Jeff Richards
BOYS BASKETBALL
McConnellsburg 47, Shalom Christian Academy 33.  The Spartans hosted Shalom Christian Academy Flames in a non-conference game Monday, January 13^th and captured the second opponent win this season. and foiled the Flames’ attempt to even the score.

The two teams met again from the Christmas tournament with the Flames looking for a vindication to their 54-31 loss.  Both teams were slow to start, with the Flames first to get off to an 8-0 run. Then, in under the last two minutes, Spartan Brayden Ramsey muscled down low, in the paint, and made a two-point shot, got fouled, and made the free throw shot that collectively broke the ice to put three points on the board for the home team. The quarter ended with the  Spartans down 8-3, the lowest Spartans start for the season.  But, in the first minute and a half of the second quarter the Spartans took the lead to force the Flames to call time out to try to slow the rising tide.  Both teams were cold shooting from the field, with the Flames exceptionally frigid being held scoreless the second quarter.  At halftime, Spartans led 14-8.

After the third quarter both teams scored nearly equally with the Spartans holding an eight-point lead, 28-20.  In the last quarter, the Spartans were able to put more coal to the fire and turn up the steam to outscore the Flames by seven points to take a 14-point edge at the buzzer.

This victory brings the Spartans (10-1 overall, 2-0 ICC South) season win streak to nine straight, and ninth of a 10+ point margin.

The Spartans were led by Brayden Ramsey with a double-double night of 19 points and 10 boards.

Spartans’ scoring: Hoyt Glenn 1 3-4 6, Dom Jefferson 2 0-0 6, Brayden Ramsey 6 4-5 19, Shaffer Earley 2 0-2 4, Jake Hann 3 1-3 7, Kohen Hall 1 0-0 3, Galen Clevenger 1 0-0 2, Totals 16 8-14 47.  3-point shots — 7 (Ramsey 3, Jefferson 2, Glenn 1, Hall 1).  FTM% 57.1%.

Spartans’ team stats:  44 rebounds, 12 assists, 1 steal, 8 blocked shots, 10 turnovers, 15 team fouls.

Spartans’ other stats: Glenn 9 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks; Earley 9 rebounds, 1 assist; Ramsey 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 blocks; Jefferson 5 rebounds, 3 assist; Hann 7 rebounds, 2 blocks; Galen Clevenger 2 rebounds; Kohen Hall 1 rebound; Jace Fletcher 1 rebound.

Shalom Christian    8    0   12  13   —  33
McConnellsburg     3   11  14  19   —  47

Next Up:  McConnellsburg Varsity travels to Fannett-Metal for a conference game on Wednesday, January 15^th at 4:30 PM.  The JV travels to Mercersburg Academy for a non-conference game later Wednesday at 7:15 PM.

JV: MHS 38 Shalom 44