From staff reports
LEWISTOWN - The Central Mountain girls swim team traveled to Mifflin County shorthanded Tuesday, but that didn't stop the Huskies from swimming with all they had.
Although most of Central Mountain's team was absent in the 120-18 loss, Mifflin County gave a complete effort, and it showed in the girls' individual times.
Article Photos
Sentinel photo by MATT STRICKER
Mifflin County’s Alison Treaster competes in the 200-yard medley relay Tuesday evening in Burnham.
"They know they need to race against the clock as well," Mifflin County coach Connie Welch said.
Welch pointed out in particular that she was impressed by Rachel Stimeling's first-place finish in the 100-yard backstroke and Kaitlyn Eckley's first place finish in the 50-yard freestyle.
"Every time she swims she gets faster, it's fun to watch her continually get better," Welch said of Stimeling.
Welch added that Eckley, who is a first-year swimmer, is exciting to watch improve.
On the boys' end, Mifflin County came out on the losing end of the 89-56 team score, but like the girls team was strong in individual events.
Especially of note was Seth Barger's second place finish in the 200 freestyle with a time that qualified him for districts.
"It's a small crew, and each and every one of them are awesome," Welch said.
The Huskies (Girls: 3-7, Boys: 1-9) now prepare for the Mid-Penn Championship Meet, which will be held Feb. 9 at Cumberland Valley.
The event is only for swimmers who qualify and land within the top 32 seeds.
Huskies to will compete in the meet include Sarah Bonson, Megan Becker, Evan Becker and Zack Bonson.
Boys basketball
Chambersburg 56, Mifflin County 39
CHAMBERSBURG - The Mifflin County boys went up against what coach Aaron Gingrich described as a very big and athletic Chambersburg team Tuesday, and it was more than the Huskies could handle in the 56-39 Commonwealth Division loss.
"Their pressure on us at both end of the court was the difference in the game. The way they played tonight it would have taken a near flawless game from us to beat them," Gingrich said.
Mifflin County's Cy Treaster put up 14 points in the game, which Gingrich thought it was an outstanding night for him.
"We thought Cy Treaster played one of his best games of the year tonight, which says something about his mental focus at this time of the season," Gingrich said.
Mifflin County hosts Central Dauphin East Friday for the Huskies' military appreciation night.
East Juniata 60, Halifax 43
HALIFAX - East Juniata took its 9-2 Tri-Valley League record on the road Tuesday night for a faceoff against conference foe Halifax. Following a slow first quarter, the Tigers found their stride in the second, netting 21 points and a 60-43 triumph.
"We were able to gain some confidence in the second quarter," East Juniata coach Brock Anders said. "We ran our offense, shared the ball and got into position to execute well."
Bailey Coder led the charge in the second, scoring eight of his 16 total points, while freshman Jake Sankey dropped two buckets from 3-point land, helping the Tigers to a nine-point lead heading to the locker room.
The scoring continued for the Tigers in the second half, outshooting the Wildcats from beyond the arc and the free-throw line. Jeremy Pannebaker came off the bench, going 9-of-11 from the charity stripe while the defense dug its heels in, led by Cole Snyder.
"Cole set the tone on defense for our guys," Anders said. "I'm very proud of the effort."
The Tigers (14-3, 9-2) face TVL leader Greenwood at home Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Northumberland Christian 56, Juniata Mennonite 29
BEAVER SPRINGS - Despite a warming trend outside, the Lion shooters went cold, falling to Allegheny Christian Athletic Association foe Northumberland Christian 56-29.
"We were cold as ice tonight," Juniata Mennonite coach Dennis Zimmerman said. "We had some open shots but nothing fell."
The Lions' offensive struggles translated to the defensive side of the floor.
"Our guys lost confidence on offense and our defense suffered," Zimmerman said.
The third quarter was the beginning of the end for the Lions as the Warriors kept their foot on the gas pedal, doubling up the home team for 14 points.
By the fourth, the Lions were in a 15-point hole that proved to be insurmountable.
"Our guys will definitely bounce back," Zimmerman said. "The next couple of games will help our confidence."
The Lions (8-6, 5-5) travel to Walnut Street Christian Friday for a 7:30 start.
West Branch 73, Mount Union 63
MOUNT UNION - The Mount Union boys played three quarters of tough basketball against Inter-County Conference opponent West Branch on Tuesday, but were sunk by a weak second quarter.
In the seven-point quarter, the Trojans gave up the lead they had established in the first, and sunk to a 37-28 deficit going into the half.
Mount Union coach Joe Komir said West Branch really turned on the defense in the second quarter, and his team played faulty defense and gave up too many turnovers.
Jamal Smith, who led the Trojans with 23 points, scored five of the team's seven second-quarter points.
Mount Union (9-7, 4-5) hosts Moshannon Valley Friday.
Girls basketball
Newport 56, Belleville Mennonite 9
NEWPORT - It was a long struggle on the hardwood Tuesday night for the Belleville Mennonite girls as they got dropped by Newport, 56-9.
Rachel Anders made five of her team's points, and Grace Peachey had the other four.
Belleville Mennonite travels to Williamsburg Friday.
Juniata Mennonite 41, Northumberland Christian 40
BEAVER SPRINGS - After being dominated in their firtst matchup Jan. 11, the Lions of Juniata Mennonite looked to even the series with Allegheny Christian Athletic Association foe Northumberland Christian Tuesday night.
The visiting Warriors had other ideas as they charged out a 17-point lead after the opening quarter.
"They started off fast," Juniata Mennonite School coach Andy Meiser said. "I just said to the girls, let's win the rest of the game."
The Lions would do just that, pulling off a comeback and notching a victory over the conference foe, 41-40.
Juniata Mennonite cut the lead to 13 heading to the locker room and came out swinging in the third quarter, netting 15 points while locking down on defense and allowing just four from the opponent.
"I'm very proud of our girls," Meiser said. "They never quit."
The effort continued into the final quarter when the Lions got within four and took their first lead of the game with five seconds remaining in regulation on two free-throws from Lauren Breon. Breon notched 12 points on the night while teammate Molly Arnold contributed 11, including going 5-of-8 from the free-throw line.
The difference in the game came from the charity stripe as the Lions shot 70 percent while the Warriors shot a crippling 33 percent.
"This was the first game we won from the foul line," Meiser said. "We have had a lot of close losses this year and it's nice to get a close win."
The Lions move to 6-7 overall and 4-5 in the ACAA. They travel to Walnut Street Christian Friday for a 6 p.m. start.
West Branch 62, Mount Union 48
MORRISDALE - Turnovers coupled with a slow start cost the Mount Union girls basketball team as it fell to Inter-County Conference foe West Branch Tuesday night, 62-48.
West Branch jumped out to a 15-point first quarter lead, but the Trojans battled in the second, outscoring the Warriors 10-8. The Trojans matched or won each of the last three quarters but the first-quarter hole was too deep.
"We were neck-and-neck the rest of the game," Mount Union coach Jenny Cunningham said. "We didn't come out with any fire and that was the difference in the game."
The Trojans look to bounce back Friday night on the road at Moshannon Valley.
