F-F Highlights: Forbes Road, Shalom boys win titles

Games of the Day

Both Forbes Road's and Shalom Christian's boys basketball team captured tournament titles in narrow fashion.

The Cardinals won the Claysburg-Kimmel Tournament with a 43-39 win over Northeast Bradford, while Shalom held off Fannett-Metal for a 62-56 victory. 

For the second game in a row, Forbes Road held a significant lead heading into the fourth quarter then had to hold off a late thwart.

"Well, we got up on them early and that gave us enough cushion," Forbes Road coach Trent Black said. "We were up probably 10 points in both games, and they had to foul us at the end, and we simply didn't make our foul shots. We've been shooting them well until now, so that's something we'll have to work on." 

Aaron Schepis, who was named the tournament MVP, led the way with 14 points. Brycen Hohman added nine points, while Matt Brown had eight points and six rebounds.

"Everyone played their part pretty well," Black said. "We're finally starting to learn our roles as a team, and we're learning how to finish games. Last year, we were in 80 percent of every game and didn't know how to win. The experience from last year is finally paying off." 

Similarly, Shalom had several double-digit leads over the Tigers. But with less than two minutes to go, Mikell McGee knocked down a 3-pointer to pull it within two.

"We couldn't get over that hump, but our boys scrapped," F-M coach Jeff Winegardner said. "They really hustled. We had a few turnovers here or there, but we were right there." 

"We're a team that's getting used to winning," said Shalom's Jonah Stains, who broke the school scoring record in the win. "I think we're good at keeping our heads calm. Chase (Martin) helps with that a lot. We're good at weathering the storm. When a team makes a run, we usually answer with a run of our own." 

Martin was a big factor in the win. After having just two points in the first half, he finished with a season-high 16 points.

SCORES

Boys basketball
Big Spring Tournament
James Buchanan vs. Big Spring (no result reported)
Fannett-Metal Christmas Tournament
Md. School for the Deaf 45, McConnellsburg (3-3) 44
Shalom Christian (7-3) 62, Fannett-Metal (4-3) 56
Claysburg-Kimmel Tournament
Forbes Road (5-2) 43, Claysburg 39

Girls basketball
Hanover Tournament
Chambersburg vs. Susquenita (no result reported)
Big Spring Tournament
James Buchanan (3-6 41, Kennard-Dale 38
Claysburg-Kimmel Tournament
McConnellsburg (3-3) 60, United 22
Hancock Holiday Mixer
Southern Fulton (5-1) 65, Clear Spring 47
Christian School of York Tournament
Chr. School of York 47, Shalom (6-3) 34