Friday night at Manheim Township High School, the Lancaster-Lebanon League Title was down to a hot contest between Hempfield’s Black Knights and the McCaskey Tornadoes.
It was the third time in as many weeks the two largest schools in the league have met with the 2-0 advantage going to McCaskey. Until Friday.
The first quarter was slow and low scoring but as the game progressed, the game became more intense.
“I knew it was going to be a close game, all of our games have been close but the players had to keep their composure,” said Hempfield coach Danny Walck.
During the second quarter McCaskey started to hit key shots to keep them in the game. Just seconds before half time, the score was deadlocked at 18-18 until the Knights’ Ethan Strayer hit a half court shot in the ending seconds of the second quarter.
The game is tied in the 3rd quarter with 37.5 seconds left. Photo by Alicia Ygarza.
“We need to stick to the game plan and keep our focus and composure,” Walck said during his halftime talk. “We can’t let our guard down.”
Joey Farthing, a Hempfield senior, scored 25 points in his team’s victory over the Tornadoes and was named MVP of the game.
“I needed to help my team by making big plays and getting to the basket,” said Farthing. “Once I made my first two shots I knew I was going to be on fire.”
In the third quarter McCaskey sophomore Diante Cherry started to take over and bring the Tornadoes back within a few points of the Black Knights.
McCaskey's Diante Cherry shoots a free throw. Photo by Alicia Ygarza
“We had to keep space between the Tornadoes offense and our defense because their two guards are so quick with the ball to the basket,” said Walck.
Going into the fourth quarter the Tornadoes trailed by a few points when calls didn’t go their way.
Hempfield’s offense came out explosively and the Tornadoes defense shut down, the Tornadoes defense allowed many easy layups and they couldn’t answer back on the offensive end.
Joey Farthing sealed the game with his free throws late in the game.
The end result of this matchup was won by the seven-time L-L League Champions Hempfield Black Knights 61-53.
“[Saturday] we head to Warwick to face a strong Southwestern team,” Walck said.
The Penn Manor Bowling team is looking to repeat their last year run with another district title and state champion.
But Comets junior Willie Welsh was having a hard time in the beginning to the middle of the season with low match ending numbers and having trouble finding the pocket.
“Well I seemed to struggle early because I knew` it was a big reason and we needed to win,” said Welsh. “It all so I guess got to my head and I was more worried that I would do bad rather than focusing on my bowling and doing well.”
Willie Welsh turns his numbers around by end of season to help get to the tournaments. Photo by Alex Blythe
After a couple bad matches, Coach Chris Vital benched Will so he could calm down and get his mind back.
“That was about the 21 of December and so I was at the bowling alley practicing everyday from the 22nd until our next match which was a week and a half later,” recalled Welsh. “I brought our team back where we belong, on top of course. I got great support and help from my teammates, Coty Johnson, Brendon Yarnell.”
Welsh had mixed feelings about all the pressure.
“I cant do it all myself ya know,” Welsh insisted. “(That’s) something I am both proud and ashamed of. Ashamed, because I brought our team down and proud because I was able to get past it. I even bowled Christmas eve and (Christmas) day. I had to make a statement so I put myself into my practice and finished out with a great season.
“There is no I in team and they made a great contribution to my success,” Welsh said.
Will successfully brought his numbers up and had Penn Manor back in the run for the first place title.
Willie Welsh lookes over bowling scores. Photo by Alex Blythe.
Former Penn Manor State Champion Coty Johnson, won at the LL League singles tournament Monday at Dutch Lanes which put Penn Manor in the team tournament this Friday.
“We made it to the regional team event, I expect us to win the team event and I will give it my all to help us do so,” said Welsh.
The Penn Manor Bowling team said they are looking forward to winning this big event so they can get into the state tournament to bring home another bowling title to Penn Manor.
Penn Manor is hosting the section tie breaker between McCaskey and Hempfield Friday and even though the Comets aren’t in the game, the hype around the school for the showdown is growing by the minute.
Many Penn Manor students and faculty say they are planning to attend this game of rivals.
“It’s going to be packed,” said Dan Elliot, a Penn Manor varsity basketball player.
Although he didn’t pick a winner, he said he loves watching basketball.
“I don’t really care (who wins),” Elliot said. “But we should be right there with them.”
It’s not just the basketball players who are excited for this game, the students are just as enthusiastic.
Alex Kirk, a student at Penn Manor said he chooses McCaskey over the Comets’ arch rival, Hempfield.
“I rather McCaskey win because Hempfield just sucks!” said Kirk who also had a hard time picking a winner.
“I dont know, McCaskey is pretty athletic, and Hempfield is just… beast.”
With that much excitement, it’s sure to be a great game, but only time will tell who will come out the section leader, McCaskey or Hempfield. Many will be at the game to find out first hand.
The Penn Manor Comets pulled out a “W” last night during senior night in a match against Columbia.
The victory in the last league match of the year brings the Comets season to 6-3.
The match kicked off with Cory Swartzentruver wrestling for the J.V. Swartzentruver’s match was short as he pinned his female opponent in 28 seconds.
Senior wrestler Kyle Kann was winning his match when an unfortunate injury occurred and he was forced to forfeit. He injured the shoulder that has been giving him trouble all year.
Penn Manor dominated Columbia in Tuesday's wrestling match. Photo by Brian Dunne
The varsity match started off with junior Tyler Funk pinning his opponent in the first period.
Comet seniors who won were Bobby Rehm, Ryan Costerella and Evan Singleton. James McElroy won by forfeit.
Penn Manor posted wins in matches with wrestlers Matt Schneider, Austin Stetler and Colby Graham. Deion Valentine won through forfeit.
“I like to go hard on senior night,” said wrestling stand out Rehm before the match. “But the guy I’m wrestling has had two concussions this year, so I’m going to take it easy.”
The Warwick- Penn Manor basketball night
started off with a quadruple overtime loss in the junior varsity game.
Not a good omen.
Senior night for Warwick delayed the tip-off until 8:50. Don’t they know
this is a school night?
With the exception of Marc Summy, the Comets
offense struggled during the night, while the Warwick Warriors dominated
the glass on both ends of the floor.
With timely three-point field goals, Warwick kept the pressure going.
The Comets fought to get the ball inside to senior star Dan
Elliot. But they had limited success shooting behind the arc.
Penn Manor only managed to score 22 points in the first half and trailed by five
going into the locker room.
Warwick’s lead was maintained throughout the third quarter when
the score rested at 36-31. Warwick dominated the fourth period with
sharp execution on both sides of the floor while the Comets limped down
the stretch not making field goals and experiencing foul trouble.
In fact, senior starters, Dan Elliot and Jaq Presbery had to play extremely cautiously to continue play in the fourth quarter. However, their assistance was not strong enough to
reduce the Warwick lead.
The consistent five-point deficit shot up to 14
points to close the game at 56-42.
This loss affects the Comets heavily as they get close to entering post-season. Although a surpise gift came from a much needed loss by section rival Hempfield as they took on Manheim Township.
The palace in Dallas will feature two teams which are arguably the most storied franchises in the NFL. The traditions of both teams go back to the likes of Vince Lombardi, Chuck Noll, and Bradshaw. Between them they both have nine Super Bowl championships.
The lights won’t need to be on in Dallas with all the star power that will take the field at approximately 6:00pm Sunday night. Some players are just trying to make a name for themselves, others have to prove things and even a select few could solidify their place in history.
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is playing under much scrutiny ever since he replaced Brett Favre so he could shut down all the doubters with a Super Bowl win.
Ben Roethlisberger is looking for redemption for his mistakes. He is also gunning for his third championship in his seven seasons in the NFL.
“He’s matured a whole lot,” said receiver Antwaan Randle El, who returned to Pittsburgh after spending time in Washington. “And that’s evident from the first Super Bowl he played in to the one he played in 2008. A very different quarterback,” said Randle EL in an interview with ESPN.
Points could become scare in this Superbowl of supercharged defenses, that could reign over the bigger named players. There are sure to be great individual performances by many of the players on both sides of the ball and both teams. The Steelers will bring a variation of their 1960s Steel Curtain defense led by James Harrison and recently named AP defensive player of the year and the anchor of their gritty defense, Troy Polamalu.
Image from foxsports.com.
But the high powered Green Bay attack led by Rodgers and his famed wideouts have finally found the answer to their previous next to nothing running game.
His name Starks, James Starks the low draft pick who has really came up big so far for the Packers.
The Steelers offense isn’t too bad in its own right, though. Led by Roethlisberger and veterans Hines Ward, who has some rumors about retirement after this season, and Rashard Mendenhall who is young but is looking forward to his time to run in the biggest spotlight.
The Steelers could be missing rookie and pro bowler Maurkice Pouncey who has a high ankle sprain and hasn’t practiced all week.
This game could top the previous Super Bowls with well matched defensive and offensive teams.
The players maybe joking around today and just trying to keep their normal routines but come Sunday there won’t be any jokes. Both teams will be all business and surely nervous as they step into the biggest spotlight of their careers.
Marc Summy, Penn Manor’s leading scorer, continued his trend on Monday night against Cocalico.
In Penn Manor’s 57-39 win over Cocalico, Summy netted 16-points.
Summy’s mindset is to defer to his teammates, but the seniors also look to their swingman to take charge of the game more often.
“The seniors spoke up,” coach Charlie Dietz said, “(they) told Marc, ‘Don’t defer to us. Do what you can do.’”
After scoring a career-high 31-points against McCaskey on Friday, he followed up with a game best 16 on Monday.
Junior Marc Summy has been stepping up recently and giving the Penn Manor boys basketball seniors some help. Photo by Jenna Reel
“It’s a team sport, and I just try to do what’s best for the team,” said Summy, “We’re all trying to work together.”
Jaq Presbery, senior guard, added 15 points and made a game-high three 3-pointers along with senior forward Teon Lee who added a game-high seven rebounds.
Penn Manor struggled early in the game, shooting just 2-11 from the floor in the first quarter. The second quarter started off slow, but an 11-2 run put the Comets back in the game and gave them a three point lead at halftime.
A pair of threes from Presbery sparked Penn Manor as they created more and more separation down the stretch of the second half. Penn Manor improved to 14-4 overall and 10-2 in the section
“We needed to stay focused and play our game,” Summy said. “We played our game tonight, did what we had to do. “This was a very big win. We needed to get our heads back on straight and get back on track.”
Penn Manor will look to capture a win tonight against Township and get back into the winning mode they experienced earlier this season. The last time the Blue Streaks and Comets met was a nail-biter that was concluded in overtime with a Comet win.
After Township, Penn Manor verses Hempfield Friday night in a fight for the league title. If Manor could reach the top spot of the league, they would be in much better shape for playoff seeding.
“It’s a tragic situation that would rock any school district,” said Jeff Roth, Penn Manor Athletic Director speaking the sad truth.
Since a car accident on Jan. 16took the lives of four young Manheim Central athletes, local high schools, including Penn Manor have been struggling to find a way to show their solidarity and support to a community that has been struck by the sudden tragedy.
Friday, many Penn Manor students wore Manheim Central colors, maroon and gray, to show their support.
“It’s the type of incident that can devastate a community, especially a close-knit one,” noted Roth.
“Everybody knows everybody,” said Roth.
Public outreach and support toward the Manheim Central community has been tremendous.
Ande Olson is a senior football player at Penn Manor whose team is collecting money to defray funeral costs for the recent car accident victims at Manheim Central High School. Photo by Sam Valentin
The medium that many are using to show their support is sports. Penn Manor football team members are raising money during lunches and the boys varsity basketball team plans a tribute throughout the upcoming week.
“A moment of silence is being observed before all sporting events in the L-L league this week,” said Roth.
All four were members of the football team so the Penn Manor football team went to the viewing for the athletes showing their support by wearing their jerseys.
“Groups came up to us and kept saying how grateful they were that our team showed up in support,” said Penn Manor football coach Scott Lackey.
Senior football captain Anderson Olson said, “It’s a terrible thing especially because it didn’t happen to Penn Manor and people from Penn Manor don’t realize the impact it had.”
The football team is also showing it’s support by walking around with buckets to collect money for the families to help pay for the funerals.
“We feel like we should do something for them in these tough times,” said senior football player Jessen Smith.
Penn Manor’s boys’ basketball team also showed their support at Monday night’s game by wearing Manheim Central-colored ribbons on their warm-up jerseys.
The sports teams at Manheim Central have showed their support for their fallen classmates in a variety of ways. Their wrestling team is wearing wristbands, their swimming team is using face paint to wear the students numbers on their face, and the basketball team is wearing white headbands in remembrance of their teammate. Monday night the girls’ basketball team wore warm-up t-shirts created to honor their late fellow athletes.
Other schools have also shown their support. On Facebook, Warwick senior Vince Soto dedicated his team’s overtime win against Manheim Township to Devaughn Lee one who was a victim in the tragic accident and was also a member of the Manheim Central basketball team.
Tributes like these appeared on Facebook.
There were many gestures that have been displayed through Facebook. More than 10,000 people have liked a group in support of the four students that have lost their lives.
“It’s going to take a lot of time to get back to normal just on a day to day basis.” added Roth.
The pain that the community and school is feeling is unimaginable but Penn Manor students feel like their support helps. The condolences and memorials cannot remove the pain but hopefully instead of remembering their deaths, people can begin to celebrate their lives.
What is the only sport that you can eat nachos while playing?
Bowling, and Coty Johnson excels beyond all others.
The returning state bowling champ is looking to repeat this year, and feels confident.
Senior bowler, Coty Johnson, looks to repeat his success in state competition. Photo by Cody Erb
“My gut tells me I’ve got a great chance of winning again,” exclaimed Johnson.
The statewide competition begins in two months. Right now Johnson is leading the local bowling league with a very high average, 223 to be exact. The average pin-fall closest to his is 210. So far he’s the front runner to reclaim the state championship. His biggest competition graduated last year, giving him even more of an advantage.
“I feel the same as I did last year (leading up to the competition) so I’m hoping to do good,” said Johnson.
While Coty is catching fire, the team is on ice with a poor record of 33-14, leaving them in 4th place. He said he hopes they step it up.
As March approaches and states inch closer and closer, Coty Johnson continues to prepare for the inevitable repeat at states.
