By Jeff Richards

BOYS BASKETBALL

McConnellsburg 72, North Star 14.  Three Spartan starters scored in double figures and a combined 55 points to boost the team’s runaway victory in a cross Inter-County Conference game over the visiting North Star Cougars on December 19.  Hoyt Glenn led all players with 23 points, followed by Brayden Ramsey with 19 and Shaffer Earley with 13 points. 

Spartans (5-0, 1-0 ICC-S) built a 20-point first-quarter lead and finished with a 58-point victory.  At the half, the Spartans led 40-11 with the game well out of sight.  The first third quarter shot, a trey by Glenn, extended the margin past 30 points, initiating the mercy rule. 

The Spartans had a big night of results to include field goal shooting percentage, offensive boards, assists, steals, and blocks, while playing nearly error free (only two turnovers) and only a few fouls.  The entire game the Spartan defense completely swarmed the Cougars to force turnovers, snag steals, limit to one-shot, and produce their own quick scoring runs.  The Spartan defense was very effective and held the Cougars to single-digit scores each quarter—including a scoreless fourth. 

The Spartans clinched their win through standout offense: Glenn had 23 points (56% shooting), six rebounds, three steals, and three assists. Ramsey dropped 19 points (47% shooting), with eight assists, five rebounds, five steals, and three blocks—his fourth straight game with at least 16 points. Earley added a season-high 13 points, nine rebounds, and four steals.

McConnellsburg grabbed 17 offensive rebounds and has recorded at least nine in 14 straight games. The Spartans have also won four games this season by margins of 36 points or more.

MCCONNELLSBURG (72)
Glenn 10 0-0 23, Ramsey 8 0-0 19, Earley 5 0-0 13, Hann 2 0-1 4, Sipes 2 1-2 5, Fletcher 1 1-1 3, Marpoe 1 0-0 2, Washabaugh 1 0-0 3, Totals 30 2-4 72.  3-point goals = 10 (Glenn 3, Ramsey 3, Earley 3, Washabaugh).  Totals: 29 rebs (17 off/12 def), 21 ast, 19 stl, 8 blk, 2 turnovers, 6 fouls, FTM% 50%.  

Team stats: Glenn 6 rebs, 3 ast, 3 stl, 1 blk; Ramsey 5 rebs, 8 ast, 3 blk, 5 stl; Earley 9 rebs, 1 ast, 1 blk, 4 stl; Hann 3 reb, 3 ast, 2 blk, 1 stl; Sipes, 3 rbs, 1 ast, 1 stl, Fletcher 3 reb, 2 ast, 2 stl; Washabaugh 2 ast, 1 stl; Marpoe 1 ast, 1 blk; Lang 2 stl. 

NORTH STAR (14)

Frombach 1 0-0 2, Lohr 1 0-0 2, Gisbrecht 2 0-0 5, Pristas 2 0-0 5, Totals 6 0-0 14. 3-point goals = 2 (Gidbrecht, Pristas).  Other totals: 7 fouls, FTM% NA.

SCORING BY QUARTERS
North Star …………    4     7     3     0   —  14

McConnellsburg …  24   16   18   14   —  72

JV: M: 57 NS 14  

Next up: McConnellsburg will host Southern Huntington County for a cross-conference game on December 23^rd at 6 p.m.