By Jeff Richards
BOYS BASKETBALL
McConnellsburg 80, Southern Fulton 37. The Spartans traveled January 16th to Southern Fulton for the first of two ICC games against the Indians and from the start took control and handedly outpaced them to a consequential 43-point victory and a 13th straight victory. The Spartans put three in double figures, amassing 59 points. Leading the barrage was junior point guard Hoyt Glenn with a season high of 37 points and 10 rebounds. Senior forward Brayden Ramsey added 11 points and 10 game high unselfish assists and six boards, and senior forward Shaffer Earley had 11 points and 6 boards. Senior center Jake Hann pulled 9 rebounds to add to the squad’s season second best of 41.
in this first quarter, like most of the game, the Spartans man defense limited the Indians largely to one shot with little offensive rebounds or second attempt. While the Spartans were more successful and had second shot opportunities and rebounding. The quarter ended in fan elation when Hann grabbed a rebound, soared the ball to the front court to a fast-breaking Glenn to finish with a commanding dunk at the closing second to take a solid 19-point lead, at 24-5. The second quarter the Indians found more of the net and added 12, albeit the Spartans dropped in 17 to gain another five points to extend the lead at the half, 41-17.
Midway into the third quarter the clock began to click off more quickly as the 30-point mercy rule came into effect after Glenn made an under basket shot from a Ramsey pass to make it 56-25. The quarter ended with a score of 64-29, the Spartans picking up 11 and the lead extending to 35. The final frame ended similarly with Spartans outscoring by twice, adding another eight. Spartan defense held Indian’s top scorer Trentin Cain, averaging 15.6 points per game (ppg), to five points.
The Spartans outperformed the Indians in all major categories (points, shooting percentage, rebounds, steals, assists, blocks, least number of turnovers) For the season, the Spartans have led in each of the 52 quarters. MaxPreps AI anticipated a close game given the Indians’ average of 64.2 ppg compared to the Spartans’ 67.8. That prediction was quite misleading, and the PA Class AA ranking reflects differently (13 McC vs 70 SF). Spartans average 68.8 ppg and opponents average just 33.1 ppg.
The Indians’ (6-6) Teagan Ritz led with 11 points and Gaven Mellott added eight.
MCCONNELLSBURG (80)
Glenn 17 1-2 37, Ramsey 4 1-2 11, Earley 4 3-3 11, Hann 1 2-2 4, Fletcher 3 0-0 7, Sipes 1 0-0 2, Marpoe 3 0-1 6, Garlock 0 0-0 0, Washabaugh 1 0-1 2, Mellott 0 0-0 0, Gelvin 0 0-0 0, Lang 0 0-2 0, Totals 34 7-11 80. 3-point goals = 5 (Glenn 2, Ramsey 2, Fletcher). Totals: 24 rebounds (13 off/11 def), 21 assists, 15 steals, 8 blocks, 13 turnovers, 11 fouls, 2FG% 68%, 3FG% 37%, FTM% 40%.
SOUTHERN FULTON (37)
Cain 2 0-0 5, Ritz 4 1-1 11, Mellott 3 2-2 8, Carpenter 1 1-2 3, Ah Loe 1 1-2 4, Oakman 0 0-0 0, Mann 1 0-0 2, Norris 2 0-0 4, Totals 12 5-7 37. 3-point goals = 4 (Ritz 2, Cain, Ah Loe), Totals: 11 reb, 8 ast, 2 stl, 3 blk, 17 to, 8 f, 2FG% 33%, 3FG% 31%, FTM% 71%.
McConnellsburg …. 24 17 23 16 — 80
Southern Fulton .…. 5 12 12 8 — 37
No JV. JH-A: McC 20 SF 34. JH-B: McC 22 SF 17.
Next up: McConnellsburg JV/V will visit Northern Bedford County for cross-conference games on January 19th starting at 6 p.m.