By Jeff Richards

GIRLS BASKETBALL

McConnellsburg 26, Southern Fulton 50. The Lady Spartans fell to the Southern Fulton Lady Indians in the Forbes Road Holiday Tournament final on December 29.  The Indians posted an early 15-point lead, won three of four quarters, including holding the Spartans scoreless in the third quarter to maintain a sizable lead after each quarter to win the championship.

The Indians started strong with a 15-point run in the first quarter setting the stride for the eventual result.  The Spartans were outpaced three-fold after the first quarter, 21-7.  The second quarter was more even scoring, albeit with the Spartans lagging by 15 at the break, 31-16.  The Indians 2-1-2 defense dominated the third quarter, adding 13 unanswered points for a 28-point lead.  Although the Spartans improved in the final quarter, it wasn’t enough to overcome the deficit—a reversal from last season when the Spartans won both games by an average of 22 points.

The Spartan scoring was led by Journie Jefferson with eight points.  Sydney Buterbaugh added six points and five steals, while Kya Washabaugh came off the bench and chipped in six points and pulled seven rebounds.

The Indians put two in double figures: Bailey Hull led all scorers with 28 points, five rebounds, and eight steals, while Claire Harvey had 12 points, six rebounds, and six assists.  Brynley Shriever added five points and 13 rebounds.

Lady Spartans Journie Jefferson and Janiah Lowery and Lady Indians Claire Harvey and Bailey Hull were named to the all-tournament team.

MCCONNELLSBURG (26)

DeShong 1 0-0 2, Jefferson 3 2-2 8, Gelvin 0 0-2 0, Buterbaugh 2 1-2 6, Lowery 1 0-2 3, Washabaugh 1 1-3 3, Pistner 1 0-0 2, Graham 1 0-0 2, Totals 11 4-11 26.  3-point goals = 2 (Lowery, Buterbaugh). Totals: 30 rebounds (13 off/17 def), 11 steals, 22 turnovers, 15 fouls, 2FG% 22%, 3FG % 13%, FTM% 36%.  Team stats: DeShong 4 reb, 1 stl; Jefferson 3 reb, 1 stl; Lowery 3 reb; Buterbaugh 5 reb, 5 stl; Gelvin 3 reb, 2 stl; Washabaugh 7 reb, 1 stl; Pistner 1 reb; Graham 4 reb, 1 stl.  

SOUTHERN FULTON (50)

Pittman 1 0-0 2, Shriever 2 1-2 5, Harvey 5 4-4 12, Hull 11 5-5 28, Johnson 1 1-2 3, Totals 19 11-13 50.  3-point goals = 1 (Hull).  Totals: 34 rebounds (6 off/28 def), 7 assists, 18 steals, 6 blocks, 26 turnovers, 14 fouls, 2FG% 40%, 3FG% 13%, FTM% 85%.

Southern Fulton … 21   10    13      6   —   50

McConnellsburg …   7    9      0    10   —   26

Next up: McConnellsburg (5-4, 0-0 ICC-S) hosts Claysburg-Kimmel on January 2^nd for cross-ICC games starting at 6 p.m.