By Jeff Richards
BOYS BASKETBALL
McConnellsburg 63, Fort Hill 52. On Monday, February 10th, the Spartans hosted Fort Hill (MD) Sentinels in a non-conference game. The Spartans held the edge throughout, finished with a double-digit victory, and increased their win streak to 19 straight.
In the first quarter, the Spartans put up a 16-point unanswered run in the first four minutes forcing the Sentinels coach to burn his first two timeouts. By the end of the quarter the Spartans had posted 21 points and held the Sentinels to four. In the second quarter, the Spartans kept the lead around 15, but by halftime the Sentinels had outscored the Spartans, worked the lead down to 11, and trailed 36-25.
In quarter three, the Spartans hit eight field goals (FGs) to the Sentinels four FGs and ended the quarter 16 points up, leading 55-39. The Sentinels fought back in the fourth quarter as with quick work they got the lead down to 8 in the first two minutes. Mid-quarter a critical block by Brayden Ramsey on a Sentinel fast break kept the lead from getting to just six. One Spartan and two Sentinels fouled out in the frame. The Sentinels outscored the Spartans 12 to seven mainly as the Spartans went 4-8 from the free throw (FT) line. Fortunately, those four misses were not a detriment as late in the game the four made FTs by Hoyt Glenn and Dom Jefferson were key to take the wind out of the sails of any Sentinel last dash comeback and seal a double-digit Spartan win, 63-52.
Coach Lowery commented, “Tonight we had a very good challenge. I knew we getting up quick wouldn’t last. They’re a very competitive team that plays in a tough conference. We work to get the ball up court, find the open man, keep the turnovers down, and rebound against their muscle and low post big man.”
The Spartans put three players in double figures: Jefferson led all scorers with 20 points; Glenn had a triple double with 16 points, ten rebounds, and ten assists; Ramsey added 12 points.
This win continues the Spartans’ (20-1 overall, 8-0 ICC South) dominating performance and 19-game win streak and 19th win by 10+ points.