By Jeff Richards
BOYS BASKETBALL
McConnellsburg 57, Eden Christian 55. The Spartans earned a second consecutive close win over District 7 No. 5 seed Eden Christian Warriors, at home February 7, in the closing seconds as Hoyt Glenn shocked everyone and stole a late inbound pass and made a buzzer-beating layup to secure victory in front of an ecstatic home crowd.
District 5 No. 1 seed McConnellsburg (25-1) will face District 7 No. 4 seed Clairton (18-5) on March 11 at a time and place to be announced.
The Warriors pressed at the start and took an early 8-2 lead triggering a Spartans timeout. The Spartans countered with two defensive stops and points, closing the gap to 10-9. Then Glenn picked a steal and a fastbreak dunk electrified the fans. The Spartans ended the first quarter ahead 16-10.
The Warriors outscored the Spartans 19-12 in the second and only quarter using a combination of Sam D’llpolito’s nine of his 18 points, and Mason Near’s six also of 18 points. The Warriors led 29-28 at halftime.
In the third, Spartan’s senior forward Brayden Ramsey came strong with a key back-court steal, drives to the hoop, and scored nine points with 3-for-6 in free throws. This helped the Spartans edge the Warriors 16-14 and regain the lead 44-43 by the quarter’s end.
The final and deciding quarter saw five lead changes with the Warriors reclaiming the advantage 45-44 early on a Near jumper. Next, Glenn was fouled on a made jumper and sank the free throw returning the lead 47-45. The Spartans held the lead for the next three minutes until the Warriors tied it at 51. With 2:43 remaining Warrior’s Michael Sample’s layup made it 53-51, prompting a timeout. Next, the Spartans tied it with a key jumper from Jace Fletcher at 1:29 to go. The Spartans then took the lead with 43.3 seconds left on a short jumper from Shaffer Earley. Next play, Sample was fouled on a jumper shot and made both free throws, tying it at 55 with 24.2 to go. Glenn was called for walking, and another timeout was called. On the next play, with 3.3 seconds remaining, the Warriors back-court throw-in play failed miserably. Their inbound pass plan switch up on Glenn of River Barton for Brady Salvia proved detrimental as Glenn read the play, cut off Salvia for the ball and laid up a bank shot layup as the clock hit 0.5 seconds and the game ended. The Warriors were in disbelief, while the Spartans hoisted Glenn in the air and jumped for joy and the crowd erupted in wild, joyous jubilation with relief.
The win was a result of a balanced attack where several Spartans stepped up, but junior guard Glenn led the charge by shooting 53% from the field on his way to 23 points, with eight rebounds and seven steals. He has been hot for a while, having posted three or more steals the last 21 games played. Ramsey, another key player, went 7-for-15 to rack up 19 points. Senior forward Earley almost dropped a double-double with nine points and nine rebounds.
Notes: The loss ended the Warrior’s season with a record of 19-8. There were 19 total lead changes (10 for McC, 9 for EC).
MCCONNELLSBURG (57)
Hoyt Glenn 8 6-8 23, Brayden Ramsey 7 3-6 19, Shaffer Earley 4 0-0 9, Jake Hann 1 2-2 4, Jace Fletcher 1 0-0 2, Jett Sipes 0 0-0 0, Karson Washabaugh 0 0-0 0, Totals 21 11-16 57. 3-point goals = 4 (Ramsey 2, Earley, Glenn). Other totals: 22 rebounds (11 off/11 def), 16 assists, 12 steals, 6 blocks, 9 turnovers, 9 fouls, 2FG% 57%, 3FG% 20%, FTM% 69%.
EDEN CHRISTIAN (55)
Michael Sample 3 2-2 8, Mason Near 6 3-4 18, Brady Salvia 1 0-0 2, San D’llpolito 6 2-2 18, River Barton 3 0-0 6, Drew Broderick 1 0-0 3, Totals 21 7-8 55. 3-point goals: 8 (D’llpolito 4, Near 3, Broderick). Other ttls: 12 fl, FTM% 88%.
Eden Christian ……. 10 19 14 12 — 55
McConnellsburg …. 16 12 16 13 — 57