F-F 5 things to watch, Dec. 12- 17
It's officially the winter season and you know what that means - hoops, wrestling and swimming rules all. Don't miss these top five things to watch this week around Franklin and Fulton Counties.
TUESDAY
Southern Huntingdon at McConnellsburg girls basketball, 7:30 p.m.: The Lady Spartans kicked off the season with a big non-league victory over Mount Union, dominating the Trojans by more than 40 points.
But Tuesday, it's time for McConnellsburg to kick off league play when it takes on Southern Huntingdon, a Sideling Hill League/Inter-County Conference foe. Last season McConnellsburg lost twice to the Rockets, first in a 21-point defeat, then an even tougher four-point loss later in the season.
But this year the Spartans have a new trick up their sleeve - McKenzie Gelvin. Along with Gelvin, who debuted with 19 points against Mount Union, McConnellsburg also has an improved core returning to the court, including Justice Seville, who put up 17 points on Friday, and the area's reigning leading scorer Bronwyne Mellott, who had 22 points against the Trojans.
THURSDAY
Central Dauphin East at Chambersburg boys basketball, 7:30 p.m.: The Trojans are fresh off their third straight Franklin County Tip-Off Tournament title and, based on first impressions, look like they could be a well-rounded threat to any team in the Mid Penn Commonwealth.
And Thursday will be their first big test. Chambersburg takes on CD East at home, setting up a rematch of a postseason loss to the Panthers last year. The Trojans went 1-2 against CD East a year ago, including a five-point loss, and a tough 13-point defeat in a District 3 Class 4A play-in.
After opening tournaments, both Chambersburg and the Panthers sat at 2-0, but both have conference games before Thursday's contest.
Keep an eye on Franklin County Tip-Off Tournament MVP ByShawn Mincie, who was the 'wow' factor in the Trojans' 2-0 weekend. He had 25 points and 10 boards throughout the weekend.
Chambersburg at Cumberland Valley wrestling, 7 p.m.: These two top-ranked Mid Penn Commonwealth teams will go head-to-head for the first time this season, with the Trojans feeding off a big tournament win over the weekend, eager to avenge a 39-22 loss to the Eagles last season.
Cumberland Valley earned that dual match victory thanks to two pins, a 17-2 technical fall and a major decision, but the Trojans boast a confident, experienced squad, despite not having a 106-pounder or heavyweight on the roster.
Last weekend Aaron Rump, who moved up a weight class in the offseason, won his 100th career bout on his way to a perfect 3-0 day to help the Trojans to a Warwick Duals Tournament title. Phillipe Lozius, a 220-pounder, moved up to cover the 285 weight class, and also went 3-0.
FRIDAY
Southern Fulton boys basketball at Mountain Cat Tournament, vs. Shanksville, 8 p.m.: To say that Southern Fulton got off to a good start would be an understatement. The Indians made their presence known in a non-league game against Hancock on Friday, handing the Panthers a 57-point loss and making a statement in their first game as the reigning District 5 Class 1A Champions.
This weekend Southern Fulton will take on Shanksville in the first round of the Mountain Cat Tournament at Pitt-Johnstown. The last time these two teams squared off it was in the semifinals of the District 5 tournament, which Southern Fulton claimed in an intense battle in double overtime.
For two straight years the Indians have come home from the tournament with their first loss of the season, last year falling short in the championship game to Westmont-Hilltop, 55-41.
Dylan Gordon led Southern Fulton in the season opener with 18 points, six rebounds and five steals.
Carlisle Wrestling Tournament, 4 p.m.: The Shippensburg, Greencastle-Antrim and Waynesboro wrestling teams will compete at the Carlisle Tournament on Friday.
Shippensburg, which was picked to be a Colonial Division contender to start the season, had a solid start at the Cumberland Valley Kickoff Tournament, placing seventh among 21 top teams from across the state. Chandler Olson came home with a second-place medal at 132, and Cameron Tinner, who completed his first tournament as a heavyweight, also finished second at 285.
Waynesboro kicked off the season with a 63-13 win over the host Mountaineers at the Ephrata Duals. Greencastle competes in its first match on Thursday against James Buchanan.
This season Chambersburg will not compete in the Carlisle Tournament due to scheduling conflicts. The Trojans will instead compete at the Beast of the East Tournament starting Saturday in Newark, Del.