BOYS BASKETBALL
McConnellsburg 48 Windber 34
A second-half surge lofted the Spartans to their first MHS Boys’ Basketball Districts 5/8 Championship in school history under Coach Lowery assisted by Toby Brown and Arthor Jefferson.  The Districts 5/8 Class 2A championship game on February 27^th pitted the #1 seed McConnellsburg Spartans against the #3 seed Windber Ramblers at the University of Pitt-Johnstown Game Center.  A large crowd of over 760 ticketed patrons for both teams was on hand to cheer and support the top teams compete for the title.

In the opening quarter both teams were beset with early adjustments and many one-shot only chances.  The typical Spartans first quarter defensive attack and scoring barrage did not develop.  A bright spot to Spartans fan elation was when Kohen Hall, subbed in off the bench for starter Shaffer Earley, in the final seconds connected on his lone three-point jumper to put the Spartans up 10-5.  In the second quarter, Windber’s leading double-figure scorer Evan Brady and second highest scorer Grady Klosky combined for nine of the team’s 11 points while holding the Spartans to four points, the lowest of any quarter this season.  At the end of the quarter the score was Windber ahead 16-14.  Uncharacteristically, in the first half both teams lofted poor field goal shooting producing meager below average scoring and exhibited greater mis-communicative-type turnovers.

In the first half of the third quarter, the Ramblers came out of the break ready to go and increased their lead with relative ease in lane penetration to 27-22 with three minutes in.  But then it clicked for the Spartans and fell off for the Ramblers.  The Spartans defense started to collapse on the Ramblers causing turnovers and errant shots and at 1:30 to go in the third the Spartans tied it at 27 apiece.  After a Windber time out, the Spartans took a steal from Windber and Brayden Ramsey was fed the ball on a streaking layup fast break to take the lead.  Next possession, Dom Jefferson hit a layup.  Windber lost two scoring opportunities.  Jefferson with a three.  Spartans were in control and up 34-27 after three quarters of play.  Ramsey led in this frame with 8 points, followed by Jefferson with seven points, and Glenn with five points for the largest scoring quarter of the game (20-points to Windber’s 11), the essential deciding quarter of the game.  Coach Lowery noted, “We went on a 14-0 run in the 3rd quarter after trailing at half and in the beginning of the 3rd quarter.”

Two minutes into the final quarter the Spartans got the lead to ten.  The Windber strength continued to falter as Brady missed two key free throws (and with an open line) and continued to turn the ball over to Spartan defense.  The Spartan lead got to 16, with 2:30 to go, 46-30.  The game ended with point guard Glenn dribbling the ball around the front court to run out the clock and seal the Rambler’s fate.

The Spartans put two players scoring in double figures:  Dom Jefferson with 15 points (exceeding his seasonal average) and Brayden Ramsey added 13 points.  With the Spartans’ remarkable record [24-1 (.960-win pct.) overall], they now boast a 23-game win streak, with 23 wins by double digits or more.  Coach Lowery noted, “All year we only allowed four teams to score over 45 to give us a current record of 24-1.”  In over twenty-five games, the Spartans have amassed 1,600 season points and 64 points per game (PPG) average to 811 opponent season points and 32 PPG average.

Thanks to the MVFD for the warm welcome with all equipment pieces late Thursday night into town.

 MCCONNELLSBURG
Hoyt Glenn 4 1-2 9, Dom Jefferson 6 0-0 15, Brayden Ramsey 4 4-4 13, Shaffer Earley 2 0-0 4, Jake Hann 0 2-2 2, Kohen Hall 1 0-0 3, Galen Clevenger 1 0-0 2, Totals 17 7-8 48.  3-point goals: 4 (Glenn 2, Jefferson 1, Ramsey 1, Hall 1).  FTM% 87.5%.
Team stats: Glenn 7 rebounds, 8 assists, 7 steals, 1 charge taken; Earley 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 2 blocks; Ramsey 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocks; Jefferson 2 rebounds, 2 steals; Hann 1 rebound, 3 assists, 1 steal; Clevenger 1 charge taken. Totals:  20 rebounds, 14 assists, 14 steals, 4 blocks, 11 turnovers, 11 team fouls.

WINDBER
Grady Klosky 4 3-4 11, Evan Brady 7 1-2 16, Dylan Woodruff 1 0-0 2, Ace Kolson 2 0-0 5, Totals 14 4-6 34.  3-point goals: 2 (Brady 1, Kolson 1).  FTM% 66.7%.  Team fouls 11.

Windber                   5    11    11      7  —  34
McConnellsburg   10      4    20    12  —  48
Next Up:  The Spartans battle North Star for the ICC championship March 3^rd, 715pm at Claysburg-Kimmel High.  Then the Spartans advance to the first round of PIAA 2A playoffs and host Greensburg Central Catholic (District 7 seed 5) March 8^th at home.  See further details on the school’s Facebook page.