By Jeff Richards

BOYS BASKETBALL

McConnellsburg 88, MD School for the Deaf 33.  In a reversal from last year’s (12/6/24) loss 48-43 at home, the Spartans, at a neutral court, manhandled the Maryland School for the Deaf Orioles on December 27^th to win the championship title at the 52^nd annual Fannett-Metal Holiday Invitational Tournament.

McConnellsburg extended their winning streak to seven games thanks to a huge performance from Hoyt Glenn who almost dropped a double-double with 31 points and nine steals. The game was his eighth consecutive with at least 15 points.  Brayden Ramsey added 18 points, six rebounds, six steals.  Nine players contributed to the scoring.  A season-high ten treys were made

The Spartans (7-0, 1-0 ICC-S) built an enormous 32-point first-quarter lead and by halftime extended it to 40 with the score 58-18 and effectively securing control.  The mercy rule was initiated in the third quarter. 

The Spartans had a big night of results to include posting a season high 88 points; their second-highest win margin (55); tied their rebound high (40); and set season highs with 23 assists and 21 steals.  The entire game the Spartan defense completely flustered the Orioles to force turnovers and produce quick scoring runs including several Glenn dunks.  The Orioles were held to single digit scoring in two quarters.  The Spartans have also won five games this season by a margin of 36 points or more.

MCCONNELLSBURG (88)
Glenn 12 3-3 31, Ramsey 7 1-1 18, Earley 3 0-0 7, Hann 3 1-2 7, Sipes 3 0-2 6, Fletcher 3 0-0 8, Marpoe 1 3-4 5, Garlock 1 0-0 2, Lang 1 1-2 4, Totals 34 9-14 88.  3-point goals = 10 (Glenn 3, Ramsey 3, Earley 3, Washabaugh).  Totals: 40 rebs (22 off/18 def), 23 ast, 21 stl, 7 blk, 11 turnovers, 9 fouls, FTM% 50%.  

Team stats: Glenn 4 reb, 7 ast, 9 stl, 4 blk; Ramsey 6 reb, 4ast, 2 blk, 6 stl; Earley 1 reb, 3 ast; Hann 6 reb, 3 ast, 1 blk, 2 stl; Sipes, 10 rbs; Fletcher 4 reb, 4 ast, 2 stl; Washabaugh 3 reb; Marpoe 4 reb; Garlock 1 reb 2 stl; Lang 1 reb, 2 ast.  

MD SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF (33)

Guynn III 3 0-0 6, Cham 5 2-2 13, Pedersen 2 0-0 5, Branson 1 1-2 3, Lee 1 0-0 3, Timm 1 1-2 3, Totals 13 4-6 33. 3-point goals = 3 (Cham, Pedersen, Lee).  Other totals: 14 fouls, FTM% 67%.

SCORING BY QUARTERS

McConnellsburg ……….…  36   22   21    9   —  88

MD School for the Deaf …   4   14     5   10  —  33

Next up: McConnellsburg will host Fannett-Metal for a conference game on January 5^th starting at 6 p.m. 

GIRLS BASKETBALL

McConnellsburg 51, Forbes Road 14.  The Lady Spartans defeated Forbes Road Lady Cardinals in the host’s Holiday Invitational Tournament’s semi-final on December 28^th.  Journie Jefferson led all scorers with 16 points.  Serenity Rengifo added nine and lead with eight rebounds, and Ella Pistner grabbed seven off the bench.

The Spartans used a mix of zone and man defense to hold the Cardinals to single digit scoring, including a scoreless third quarter.  The team forced 23 turnovers to support the scoring romp.  The Spartans have now won three games by 31 points or more this season and won the last three of five matchups with the Cardinals.

Sydney Gelvin led the Cardinals with six points and eight rebounds.

The Spartans (5-3, 0-0 ICC-S) rebounded from their previous two losses on 12/16 to Tussey Mountain (43-22) and 12/22 to Southern Huntington County (62-33).  The Spartans face Southern Fulton for the tournament championship on the 29^th at 7:30 p.m.

MCCONNELLSBURG (51)
Rengifo 4 0-0 9, Jefferson 7 1-5 16, Lowery 3 0-0 8, Gelvin 2 2-5 6, Buterbaugh 3 0-0 7, Clevenger 0 0-0 0, Graham 0 0-0 0, Hendershot 1 0-0 2, Washabaugh 0 0-0 0, DeShong 0 0-0 0, Pistner 1 1-2 3, Totals 11 7-12 33.  3-point goals = 2 (Rengifo, Lowery). Totals: 33 rebounds (11 off/22 def), 12 assists, 12 steals, 3 blocks, 12 turnovers, 11 fouls, 2FG% 38%, 3FG% 22%, FTM% 25%.  Team stats: Rengifo 8 reb, 1 ast, 2 stl; Lowery 1 reb, 1 stl; Buterbaugh 3 reb, 1 ast, 3 stl, 2 blk; Gelvin 4 reb, 3 ast, 2 stl; Clevenger 4 reb; Jefferson 1 reb, 3 ast, 2 stl; Hendershot 1 reb; Washabaugh 2 reb, 2 ast; Pistner 7 reb, 1 stl, 1 blk; DeShong 2 reb, 2 ast, 1 stl.  

FORBES ROAD (14)

Fix 1 1-4 3, Small 0 1-4 1, Gelvin 3 0-0 6, Ramsey 2 0-0 4, Totals 6 2-8 14.  Totals: 25 rebounds (8 off/17 def), 5 assists, 7 steals, 1 block, 23 turnovers, 7 fouls, 2FG% 12%, 3FG% 0%, FTM% 25%.

SCORING BY QUARTERS

McConnellsburg …… 18    16    12     5    —   51

Forbes Road………….   4      2       0     8    —   14