By Jeff Richards
GIRLS BASKETBALL

McConnellsburg 62, Fannett-Metal 43.  On Friday, January 31^st, the Lady Spartans hosted the Fannett-Metal Lady Tigers in an Inter-County Conference (ICC) game.  With a dominating 29-point third quarter they excitingly captured the win.  This marks the third encounter between these teams this season, with the Spartans winning the previous two matchups (43-22 on December 20^th and 53-34 on January 22^nd the first ICC game).

The first half of the first quarter saw balance scoring, with the Spartans leading 8-7 Spartans.  Lillian Daniels then hit a three-pointer, giving the Tiger’s a 10-8 lead. Serenity Rengifo answered with the first of her three game treys, reclaiming the lead for the Spartans at 13-10. Maggie Mellott was fouled down low and made one of two free throws.  The quarter ended shortly after with the Spartans ahead 14-10.

In the second quarter, the Tigers displayed determination and grit.  Daniels hit the second of her four total game treys, reclaiming the lead at 20-18 with four minutes remaining.  At quarter’s end, the Tigers using a 3-2 zone defense and outscoring the Spartans (11 to 7) nullified the first quarter lead, resulting in a 21-point tie at halftime.

In the third quarter, the Spartans responded to Coach Gelvin’s locker room pep talk with action.  Within the initial two-minutes, they put up a five-point run sparked by a Mellott three-point play (2+1 free throw).  Tiger’s Torrie Hoffman picked up her fourth foul, which squelched her scoring plans the rest of the game. Then Rengifo hit another trey.  Now Spartans on a ten-point unanswered roll.  Then, three minutes in, the Tigers get their first two-point field goal of the quarter.  Countering, Spartans add treys from Journie Jefferson and Rengifo, and two quick backcourt defensive plays by Rengifo for return layups, then the Spartans are up big with three minutes to go.  Marin DeShong hit a buzzer beater two to put the Spartan lead to 50-27 at quarter’s end.

In the final stretch and the first three minutes the scoring was similar with the Spartans holding a one-point advantage and leading 56-32.  By latter parts the Tigers had applied more fire with more full court pressure and were able to outscore the Spartans in the quarter 16 to 12.  At the buzzer the Lady Spartans (14-5 overall District 5 AA, 5-1 ICC South) had added this win 62-43 for a three-peat, hat trick of wins against the Tigers.

Spartans’ scoring: Maggie Mellott 1 6-7 8, Serenity Rengifo 8 3-4 22, Lucy Brun 1 1-2 3, Sydney Buterbaugh 1 0-2 2, Journie Jefferson 4 1-2 10, Kailee Gelvin 0 1-2 1, Janiah Lowery 2 1-2 5, Genesis Clevenger 3 0-0 6, Marin DeShong 1 0-2 2, Clara Lopez 1 1-2 3. Totals: 22 14-25 62. Three-point goals: 4 (Rengifo 3, Jefferson 1). FTM%: 56%. Team totals: 32 rebounds (16 off, 16 def), 23 turnovers, 17 fouls. Additional stats: Mellott 11 rebounds, Rengifo 4 rebounds, Brun 5 rebounds, Buterbaugh 5 rebounds, Jefferson 3 rebounds, K. Gelvin 1 rebound, Lowery 2 rebounds.

Tigers’ scoring:   Lilian Daniels 5 0-0 15, Sadie Wolf 2 5-6 9, Kylie Arnold 3 2-6 9, Toree Hoffman 2 0-0 5, Ondraya Waite 1 0-0 2, Krystalyn Hasenbuhler 1 1-2 3, Caylee Helman 0 1-2 1, Totals 14 10-16 43.  3-point goals: 6 (Daniels 4, Arnold 1, Hoffman 1).  FTM%: 62.5%.  Team totals:  36 rebounds (19 off, 17 def), 18 turnovers, 20 fouls.

Fannett-Metal       10  11    6   16  —  43
McConnellsburg  14    7   29  12  —  62
Next Up:  McConnellsburg girls JV/V will travel to Everett for the second of ICC games on Monday, February 3^rd at 6 PM.  Varsity will look to avenge the 56-33 loss on January 9^th
JH girls’ result:  MHS 18 F-M 34

Notes:  Remaining regular season games:  at Everett (2/3), vs. So. Fulton (2/6), and at No. Bedford (2/12).

See below rankings/records for PIAA D5 AA and ICC South.

 

District V Girls “AA” Basketball Ratings

RANK   TEAM                WON    LOST    POINTS     RATING

1            Berlin                9           1           71               7.100

2            Tussey Mt.       11          1            85              7.083

3            Everett              9           1            67              6.700

4            McConnlsbg     10          4           73               5.214

5            Windber            6            3           46               5.111

6            Conemgh Twp.  6            7           47               3.615

7            Meyersdale       3            10         21               1.615

7             North Star         2           11         14                1.077

* Indicates Season Complete

Ratings as of January 27, 2025.

Data per the PIAA District 5 Sports Reports website.

 

ICC-South Standings

Opponent               W-L-T   PCT      PF      PA

McConnellsburg     5-1        0.833   323   250

Everett                    6-2        0.750   400   317

Forbes Road           2-4        0.333    240   275

Southern Fulton      2-4        0.333    252   291

Fannett Metal          1-6        0.143    214   329

Standings last updated on Feb 1, 2025 @ 12:25am.

Data per MaxPreps ICC South webpage.