F-F 5 things to watch, Feb. 6- 12
The winter sports regular season is quickly coming to a close, and with the District 3 rankings being finalized this week, you are not going to want to miss these five things happening around Franklin-Fulton as teams push for a last-minute playoff spot.
MONDAY
Greencastle-Antrim boys basketball at Spring Grove, 7:30 p.m.: Despite claiming the Mid Penn Colonial Division championship last week, the Greencastle-Antrim boys basketball team still has some work to do before the District 3 cutoff on Thursday.
Monday, the Blue Devils (15-6) travel to Spring Grove for a D3 matchup that could allow for a jump in the rankings should G-A come out with a win. As of Sunday afternoon, Greencastle was ranked No. 7 in 5A, just behind the Rockets, who are seeded 6th.
Spring Grove does have a few variables on its side heading into Monday's matchup. The Rockets boast one of the best boys basketball players in District 3 - Eli Brooks - and the added benefit of playing at home will make the environment even more hostile for the Blue Devils.
Watch out for Greencastle's Brandon Stuhler to be a defensive spark against Spring Grove's talented offense.
Tussey Mountain girls basketball at McConnellsburg, 7:30 p.m.: In what could be a preview of this year's District 5 Class 2A championship, McConnellsburg's girls will host Tussey Mountain on Monday for what looks to be the Spartans' biggest game of the second half of the season.
When the District 5 power rankings were released on Jan. 30, McConnellsburg (11-6) jumped Tussey Mountain for the No. 1 spot in 2A. But since, losses to Northern Bedford and Southern Fulton could likely send the Spartans back to their former No. 2 ranking.
Last time out, the Titans outlasted McConnellsburg 62-57 in the fourth game of the season. Now nearly two months later, the Spartans hope to surprise Tussey with their growth throughout the season.
McConnellsburg's Leah Seville came off the bench against Southern Fulton and made a big impact defensively. Watch out for her contributions Monday.
WEDNESDAY
Chambersburg boys basketball at Mifflin County, 7:30 p.m.: For the Trojans, Wednesday's rescheduled game against Mifflin County could potentially be one of their biggest games of the regular season as the team tries to push for a District 3 6A playoff berth.
As of Sunday afternoon, Chambersburg (12-8) sat in the last playoff spot at No. 12 after falling from No. 9 last week. A win over the Huskies on Wednesday will be imperative to keep its district tournament hopes alive.
Keep an eye on Chambersburg's Jacob Brouse, who scored game-high 14 points against the Huskies the first time around in a 66-22 win.
THURSDAY
District 3 cutoff: Thursday, Feb. 9 is the District 3 cutoff date to count games, which will secure the place of what looks to be four area boys teams and potentially two girls teams in postseason brackets.
For the boys, Greencastle (No. 7), Shippensburg (No. 9) and Waynesboro (No. 12) will earn a bid to the postseason in 5A, but their position in the bracket could still be up for grabs prior to Thursday's cutoff. In 6A, Chambesrburg is clinging to the final playoff spot at No. 12 as of Sunday afternoon.
Thursday, Waynesboro's boys take on Carlisle, the fifth-ranked team in 6A on Thursday, a result that will count toward district power rankings.
For the girls, Greencastle is solidly in the playoff hunt at No.7 in 5A, while Shippensburg, which plays twice before the cutoff date, sits at No. 13 in as of Sunday afternoon, just one spot out of the final playoff position. Waynesboro has fallen two spots out of the last berth in the 6A bracket. The Maidens play Carlisle at home Thursday evening.
Look for Shippensburg girls to make a run at the final playoff spot with games against West Perry and Red Land on Monday and Tuesday, respectively.
FRIDAY-SATURDAY
Mid Penn Conference swimming championships at Cumberland Valley: For the first time since 2002, the Shippensburg girls swim team claimed the Mid Penn Colonial Division title, and will make a team appearance at the Mid Penn Conference swimming championships, held at Cumberland Valley High School through Friday and Saturday.
The James Buchanan girls will also compete at the conference championships, as the girls 200 medley relay team, which remained undefeated through the regular season, could begin their push all the way to the state meet. They recently broke their own school record in the 200 medley against Trinity, lowering the record to 1:55.64, while the same team also broke the school's 200 freestyle record in 1:44.09.
Chambersburg will also compete in the Mid Penns, which do not serve as a District 3 qualifier.