BOYS BASKETBALL

McConnellsburg 40, Fort Hill 43.  On February 10, the Spartans visited the Fort Hill (MD) Sentinels for a non-league season finale game and met a challenging third-ranked Class A Maryland Public Secondary School Athletic Association team.  The Spartans’ battled to the end as they whittled down a 10-point deficit.  Hoyt Glenn made a layup with under a minute left to trim Fort Hill’s margin to 42-40, but the team came up just short after two Sentinel defensive stands and saw their 21-game winning streak end.

The Spartans were McConnellsburg (21-1, 8-0 ICC-S) scoring was led by Shaffer Earley with a double-double of 10 points and team co-led high 10 rebounds.    Hoyt Glenn scored nine with three rebounds, five assists, three steals and four blocks.  Brayden Ramsey had eight with nine rebounds, two assists, two steals and three blocks. Jake Hann also pulled down a team-high 10 rebounds, while Jace Fletcher had eight rebounds.

The Spartans missed just enough foul shots to make the difference, going only 5-13 (38%) when averaging 58.5%.  Several players shot uncharacteristically low in FT, 2FG and 3FG categories versus season averages.  Glenn was held to nine points, his lowest this season and well under his incoming 23.5 ppg average.

McConnellsburg smashed the offensive glass and finished with 24 offensive boards marking their 31st straight game with at least nine.  This performance supported entering with the remarkable 21-game winning streak on the defensive end that held Fort Hill to 16 first-half points — and on the glass where the Spartans finished with a 42-31 rebounding edge. McConnellsburg’s loss was just its 12^th in its last 100 games dating back to the start of the 2022-23 season. 

Fort Hill (15-3) was led by Powell-Morris with 11 points, with Anthony Palumbo and nine points, and Hamilton with nine, six rebounds and four assists.  Green had eight. Neek Taylor pulled down a team-high seven rebounds.

MCCONNELLSBURG (40)

Glenn 4 0-2 9, Earley 5 0-0 10, Hann 1 1-2 3, Ramsey 3 1-6 8, Fletcher 1 3-3 5, Sipes 2 0-0 5, Marpoe 0 0-0 0, Washabaugh 0 0-0 0, Totals 16 5-13 40.  3-point goals = 3 (Ramsey, Glenn, Sipes).  Totals: 42 rebounds (24 off/18 def), 14 assists, 12 steals, 13 blocks, 15 turnovers, 14 fouls, 2FG% 36%, 3FG% 18%, FTM% 38%.

FORT HILL (43)

Palmisano 0 0-0 0, Bone 0 2-4 2, Hamilton 3 2-5 9, Powell-Morris 3 2-3 11, Taylor 2 0-0 4, Palumbo 3 0-0 9, House 0 0-0 0, Green 4 0-0 8, Finchman 0 0-0 0, Totals 15 6-12 43.  3-point goals = 5 (Palumbo 3, Hamilton, Powell-Morris). Totals: 16 fouls, FTM% 50%.

McCnlsburg …. 11    5    10    14   —   40

Fort Hill .……….  7    9    16    11   —   43

JV: McC 34 FH 39

Next up McConnellsburg plays Berlin Brothersvalley in the Inter-County Conference semifinal round February 13 at Claysburg Kimmel High School at 8:15 p.m.

DISTRICT V/VIII BOYS “2A” BASKETBALL RATINGS

RANK   TEAM                                   WON    LOST    POINTS

1             McConnellsburg *              19          1           153 

2             Conemaugh Township *     15          3           123

3             Berlin Brothersvalley          14          3            112

4             Windber                               9           8            69

5             Southern Fulton *               10          10          75

6             Northern Bedford County    8           12          62

7             Westinghouse                      4          13          35

8             Tussey Mountain *               1          19           7

* Indicates Season Complete

Of February 11, 2026

McConnellsburg girls fall in season finale

GIRLS BASKETBALL

McConnellsburg 27, Windber 62.  An overpowering first quarter by the visiting Windber Lady Ramblers set the course to their large victory over the host Lady Spartans in a cross-conference, season finale game on February 11.  

The Ramblers quickness, pressing defense, ball movement, and offensive rebounding offered more second shot attempts; all of which caused problems for the Spartans.  The Ramblers held the Spartans to a season-low in both shot attempts and makes, with field goals at 22/55 for the Ramblers and 8/33 for the Spartans.  

The Ramblers dominated the first quarter with a commanding 21-4 run. Although the Spartans managed to keep the second quarter competitive—coming within three points of the Ramblers’ 15—they still trailed by 20 at halftime, 36-16. In the third quarter, the Ramblers further extended their lead, outscoring the Spartans 19 to 6, bringing the score to 55-22.

The Spartans were led by freshman Olivia Newman with a season-high 13 points and six rebounds, shooting 4-6 field goals and 5-7 free throws.