By Jeff Richards

BOYS BASKETBALL

McConnellsburg 60, Northern Bedford County 24.  The Spartans hosted the Northern Bedford County Panthers (3-14) on Tuesday, January 21st for the second of two cross-conference games this season, and the Spartans, true to form, stormed ahead early for another decisive victory, continuing their impressive winning streak.  It was another exciting and dominant performance where the Spartans showcased their basketball prowess once again like with the December 18th victory of 65-21.   

The game was decided early as they led 43-19 at halftime and enforced the mercy rule in the third quarter.  This victory continues the Spartans’ (13-1 overall, 4-0 ICC South) win streak at twelve straight, twelfth of 10+ points, and eighth of 30+ points. 

The Spartans opened the game with their typical full court man-on-man press defense with the goal to create Panther turnovers into Spartan scoring opportunities.  After one, the home team posted a lead of 14, 21-7.  In the second quarter, the Spartans one-upped their prior quarter points tally to lead at the half by 24.  Just three minutes into the third quarter Kohen Hall hit two free throws to bring the score to 51-21 and activate the running clock.  Coach Lowery rotated in more bench players as the game progressed more rapidly.  The Spartans held the Panthers to four points in the third quarter and led 57-23.  The fourth quarter saw very modest scoring as mainly the bench players saw the most minutes and struggled to hit high percentages.    

The Spartans put three players in double figures, headed by senior forward Kohen Hall leading all with 22 points, his season and career high.  Also, Brayden Ramsey put up 13 and led with 5 blocks, and Hoyt Glenn recorded a double-double with 10 points and 11 assists.

Spartans’ scoring: Hoyt Glenn 5 0-0 10, Brayden Ramsey 4 4-5 13, Jake Hann 4 0-0 8, Kohen Hall 6 5-5 22, Galen Clevenger 0 1-2 1, Karson Washabaugh 1 1-2 4, Jace Fletcher 1 0-0 2, Totals 21 11-14 60.  3-point shots — 7 (Hall 5, Ramsey 1, Washabaugh 1).  FTM% 78.5%.

Spartans’ stats: Glenn 3 rebounds, 11 assists, 4 steals, 1 block; Ramsey 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 5 block; Hann 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 blocks; Hall 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal; Clevenger 4 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block, 1 charge taken; Washabaugh 1 assist; Fletcher 5 rebounds, 1 steal; and Ethan Lang 1 charge taken. Totals: 26 rebounds (13 off., 13 def.), 17 assists, 9 steals, 11 blocked shots, 7 turnovers, 7 team fouls.  

Northern Bedford    7   12    4   1  —  24

McConnellsburg   21   22  14   3  —  60

Next Up:  McConnellsburg JV/V travels for their 15^th of the 22 regular season game schedule to county rival Forbes Road for the second of two conference games on Friday, January 24^th at 6 PM.  The Spartans won the first game (December 20^th) 68-47.

JV: MHS 36, NBC 39 in OT