Winter Sports 2025

MIFFLIN COUNTY WRESTLING

Miffin County wrestling ready to prove it all over again

BY BRIAN CARSON Sentinel reporter bcarson@lewistownsentinel.com

LEWISTOWN – Every winter, when the mats get rolled out and the gym smells like hard work,you fnd out who put in the miles. And in Miffin County, that’s never been in question. The Huskies wrestle like they were born on a practice mat because, for most, they probably were.

The program that once fought for respect in the Mid-Penn is now the one nobody wants to draw.You can thank a steady stream of tough kids, honest coaching, and a culture that doesn’t tolerate excuses. They fnished 10-4 last season, 4-2 in the Commonwealth, and they return with theexperience that makes opponents uncomfortable before the whistle ever blows.

Head coach Kirby Martin has 28 kids in the room this year, a luxury most programs can’t claim.“Generally, we’re between 20 and 25,” he said, and that extra depth matters. It means livepartners for everyone, internal competition, and accountability that can’t be faked.

But Martin’s not one for sugarcoating. He knows what he lost: four anchors in Kamden Everly,Colby Seiler, Avery Aurand, and Payten Kearns. Kearns was a state placewinner, Aurand aqualifer. In wrestling, replacing that talent isn’t a plug-and-play job. As Mar-

tin put it, it’s “next man up.” That phrase is easy to say and hard to live up to, but that’s the deal in this sport.

The next men up are worth the price of admission. Andrew Alexander went 31-6 last year, wonDistrict 6, and punched his ticket to Hershey. He’s the kind of kid who turns drills into competitions and matches into statements.

Jake Knable’s another one. He fnished 25-14, wasrunner-up at districts, and reached the West Regional. Reese Christine’s 25 wins weren’t a fukeeither. Those three form a foundation any coach would take.

Add guys like Paxton Shawver (19-14), Layten Bowersox (15-19, regional qualifer), and Alonso Torres (9-14). You see a team that’s not rebuilding but reloading. That’s the difference between agood program and a great one. The good ones have to start over every few years. The great onesrefll the lineup card.

Martin expects leadership from his returning starters, and he’s watching to see how fast the newcomers can fnd their footing. “I think there are three newcomers who will provide scoringfor us this year,” he said, naming freshmen Ethan Johnson and Bentley Felmlee along withsophomore Reece Fisher. New blood is great, but as any coach will tell you, wrestling’s a cruelteacher. It humbles frst-year kids faster than any classroom ever

Pictured is the Mifin County wrestling team, front row, from left, Landon Helm, Colton Leister, Jake Knable, Andrew Alexander, Enrique Sanchez, Ethan Johnson, Brian Albert, Bentley Felmlee, Tristan Fultz, Dom Siennick. Second row, Dre Cruz, Aiden Harbst, Jace Bender, Reece Fisher, Adrian Grifth, Alonso Torres, Davion Rowe, Layne Linn, Cayden Breon, Brayan Aurand. Third row, Dekker Pietzsch, Paxton Shawver, Tyler Williams, Camden Kaufman, Layten Bowersox, Gabe Getz, Reese Christine, Tyrell Fortson.

could.

Martin’s outlook is simple but honest: progress, resilience, and effort. “Get 1% better every day,”he said. That sounds like coach-speak until you’ve seen the grind. These kids live it. “Build mental resilience,” he added, and he’s right. Wrestling isn’t about who can lift the most or run thefastest. It’s about who doesn’t break when the match turns ugly.”

“Mental resilience” isn’t a poster quote in this room. It’s a necessity. Because when the Huskies face the Central Dauphins and Gettysburgs of the world, and they will, you either stand your ground or get fattened. The Mid-Penn Commonwealth doesn’t hand out easy nights.

The funny thing is, Mifflin County wouldn’t have it any other way. They measure themselves against the best because that’s how you grow. That’s how kids from Lewistown and Reedsville end up on the big stage in Hershey, while the rest are

home watching on TV. Martin’s staff, Dale Searer, Dave Wray, Trey Hartsock, Aaron Rowe, and Tyler Bedelyon, know the drill. They’ve seen this cycle before: veterans leading, young guys learning, and the rest trying to prove they belong. Every year, the names change, but the mission stays the same.Compete hard. Be Husky tough. Earn your place.

This sport doesn’t care about potential. It doesn’t care about what you did last year or what therankings say. It cares about who shows up ready to fght through fatigue, bad calls, and apounding heart with ten seconds left.

And if history’s any guide, Miffin County will. They’ve made a habit of turning ordinary kidsinto state qualifers. They’ve

made a tradition out of outworking everyone else. You don’t do thatwithout pride or a little stubbornness.

So, when the whistle blows this winter, remember: this isn’t a rebuilding year in Lewistown. It’sanother season of hard wrestling, sore bodies, and quiet confdence.The kind that doesn’t need to talk because it plans to prove it on the mat.

MIFFLIN COUNTY BOYS BASKETBALL

Pictured is the Mifin County boys basketball team, front row, from left, RJ Link, Dylan Bonson, Evan Breon, managers Bailey Nef and Addison Fultz, Caden McClure, Kyler Baker, Zach Keller.

Second row, Coach Franklin, Justin Cruz, Luke Bender, Carson Cherry, Jack Curry, Callen Harman, Lucas Hartung, Evan Strohecker, Coach Sheetz, Coach Curry, Coach Sheetz, Luke Warfel, Collin Otero, Jordan Kern, Terry King, Carson Franklin, Josh Hartzler, Bryce Hartsock, Coach Packer, Coach Gingrich.

Deep, experienced Huskies ready to make a run

BY BRIAN CARSON Sentinel reporter bcarson@lewistownsentinel.com

LEWISTOWN – The gym lights come up in slow stages, like the start of a season itself, frst a ficker, then a steady glow.

On one end of the court, the Mifflin County boys’ basketball team gathers in a loose circle, a mix of returning veterans and new faces. There’s talk, laughter, and the low hum of sneakers on polished wood. It’s the sound of hope that’s been earned, not inherited.

For the Huskies, that hope has shape and structure this year. They fnished last season 10-13 overall and 5-11 in the Mid-Penn Conference. A respectable mark, but not the one they wanted.

This winter, the team’s sights are set higher. “We’ve set the bar high this season,” coach Wade Curry said. “Our goal is to win our league, hang a district title banner and compete beyond districts in the state playoffs.”

Curry isn’t guessing when he says it. The roster returns roughly 70 percent of its scoring from last year, giving the Huskies something they haven’t always had: continuity and balance. That mix starts with a familiar

leader. Junior guard Jack Curry returns for his third year as a starter, bringing a scorer’s touch and a steady hand at the point of attack. “He’s a proven scorer in the league with great basketball IQ,” his coach said. “As a combo guard and elite shooter, he’ll be at the top of every scouting report.”

When Curry looks to pass, he’ll fnd plenty of options. Junior forward Zach Keller, back from an injury that limited him to seven games last season, is one of them. Curry calls Keller “a tremendous athlete who can do it on both ends of the foor.”

When healthy, Keller brings energy and toughness that can shift momentum in an instant.

The backcourt also features 6-foot-1 junior Luke Bender, whose length and court vision give the Huskies another versatile playmaker. Bender has the knack of breaking down defenses in traffc and fnding open shooters, a valuable weapon in a conference where possessions can feel like trench warfare.

Leadership also comes from the upperclassmen. Senior forward Josh Hartzler, described as athletic and much improved, can score both inside and out.

Senior guard Bailey Neff and

senior forward Evan Strohecker round out a core of veterans who understand what it takes to grind through the Mid-Penn schedule. Strohecker, currently sidelined by injury, remains a leader on and off the court. “If Evan is on the court with us or not, he’ll be an impact player,” Curry said.

“His court vision, nose for the ball, and willingness to do whatever it takes to win are hard to fnd.”

Depth, too, is fnally becoming a luxury instead of a wish.

Juniors like Carson Franklin and Bryce Hartsock have shown fashes of breakout potential.

“Carson has a great nose for the basket,” Curry said. “He can score inside or out and has made big gains physically.” Hartsock, who now stands 6-foot-4, adds a frontcourt presence that can alter shots and stretch the foor.

There’s also a new wave of contributors, hungry and untested but not timid. Sophomore Dylan Bonson, Curry said, “knows how to score the basketball” and “likes to compete.” He could emerge as one of those underclassmen who surprises opposing coaches by midseason. Add in defenders like junior Lucas Hartung, whose athleticism

was on display during football season, and the Huskies’ identity begins to take shape: fast, physical, confdent.

It’s an identity that fts the way they’ve prepared. “In my fve years as varsity coach, I’ve never seen practices with so much passion and energy,” Curry said. “The entire team shows up to compete every day regardless of their role.” Those words matter. In a sport that tests resolve nightly, effort and cohesion often decide as much as talent does.

There are still questions. Replacing the offensive production of graduates Aidan Attivo and Nathan Parkes will test the lineup early. The Huskies also have to prove they can fnish close games, something that slipped away too often a year ago. But the early signs are promising. The offseason weight training, the experience, the energy, all point to a team that has fnally matured past potential.

And in a league as unforgiving as the Mid-Penn, maturity matters. Curry singled out Milton Hershey and Hershey as the teams to beat, but he knows that on any night, the margin between winning and losing can

come down to one loose ball or one good rotation. “We expect to put a seasoned group of players on the foor who can defend well and create opportunities to score around the rim and from the perimeter,” he said.

There’s a sense, listening to Curry, that this season could mark a turning point for the program he’s spent fve years building. The younger levels are swelling with numbers. The varsity roster is deep and cohesive. The leadership is in place. For the frst time in a while, the Huskies aren’t rebuilding, they’re ascending.

Whether that rise leads to banners or better basketball will be decided over the next three months. But for now, the lights are up, the ball is bouncing, and the gym feels alive with possibility again.

Miffin County boys basketball Record: 10-13 (5-11 Mid-Penn) Coach: Wade Cury. Assistants: Glen Franklin, Dave Sheetz, Adam Sheetz, Aaron Gingrich, Jack Packer, Donnie Lepley, Noah Wright, Jordan Wise, Kevin Walker, Alexis Tellish, Holly Harman.

MIFFLIN COUNTY BOWLING

in County bowling looks to strike back

BY BRIAN CARSON Sentinel reporter bcarson@lewistownsentinel.com

LEWISTOWN – Mifflin

County’s bowling team enters the season with a short roster and a long to-do list, but head coach Hunter Wagner sounds more energized than worried. Maybe that’s the thing about bowling; it’s a game where patience and persistence still count for something. The pins don’t care if you have a dozen teammates or half that many. They respond to repetition, rhythm and resolve, three traits this group has been perfecting.

The Huskies finished 2-4 a year ago, and Wagner admits the program’s numbers are down. Four seniors graduated, two of whom had been with the team since their freshman year, leaving a big hole in experience and stability. “We are low on numbers this year,” Wagner said, “but the bowlers we have are here to compete.” It’s not the most loaded lineup in the Mid-Penn, but this one is determined to make every frame matter.

This year’s roster features seniors Chase Bowen, Cole Linn, Luke Pudlo and Drakco Smith, a quartet of veterans who understand what it means to build something from the ground up. Bowen, the team’s anchor, will handle more than just pressure frames. Wagner sees him as the steadying force for a younger lineup, the one who can steady the group when the lanes or the season get tricky. “Chase will need to step up in the leadership role,” Wagner said. “He has to be a calming presence for the new members.”

Every bowling team has a heartbeat, and for Mifflin County, it might come from the two youngest players.

Freshmen Maddux Bagrosky and Lexis Wray arrive with credentials that go well beyond their age. Both have bowled in youth programs for years and qualified for USBC state events. That foundation can turn a rebuilding year into something more surprising. “We’re looking for a strong contribution from them,” Wagner said. You can sense his belief that talent and confidence sometimes arrive early, before the self-doubt of adolescence whispers.

Still, there’s no substitute for time on the lanes. Wagner knows that when a senior has 200 matches’ worth of experience and a freshman has a handful, it can take months to find balance. But what they lack in numbers, they seem to make up for in competition. “The core of this team is the competitiveness they have with each other,” Wagner said. “They are constantly challenging each other at practices, trying to be better than one another.” It’s the internal rivalry that great programs often hide behind smiles, that low hum of wanting to top your teammate without tearing him down.

Mifflin County will need that spirit. The program competes independently, but the schedule still brings encounters with some of the state’s best: Milton, Hazleton, SpringFord and several Lancaster-area powers. Wagner doesn’t sugarcoat it. Those teams have deep programs and deeper histories, but there’s value in testing yourself against the best. It’s the only way to know how far you’ve come or how far you have to go.

The immediate goal is clear enough: qualify bowlers for the regional championships. That’s where every shot, every spare pickup in January suddenly feels worth it. But Wagner’s broader goal is more enduring. “I’m focused on rebuilding this team and getting more students out for it in the future,” he said. That’s not coachspeak; it’s a recognition that bowling, maybe more than any other high school sport, lives on continuity. A good senior class teaches a good freshman class, and the cycle repeats. Break that chain for too long, and you’re rebuilding instead of refining.

The good news is that

Wagner understands both the challenge and the reward. He bowled for Mifflin County himself, and now he’s standing at the other end of the alley, guiding the next generation. That full-circle moment adds weight to his words and credibility to his vision.

“Being able to coach the team I bowled for is awesome,” he said. His assistant coach, Mark Bagrosky, also steeped in the sport, brings even more technical knowledge to the group, the kind of details that can turn a 170 average into a 190 by season’s end.

Bowling doesn’t lend itself to noise. There’s no crowd roar, no marching band, no scoreboard to distract from the next shot. Improvement is measured in pinfall and poise. For Mifflin County, every spare converted this winter will mean more than points; it’ll signal progress. If they can turn those small victories into steady momentum, the scoreboard might tilt in their favor sooner than anyone expects.

So the season begins with six bowlers, a head coach who believes in them, and a program trying to strike the right bal-

ance between growth and grit. It’s not a glamorous rebuild, but it’s an honest one. And sometimes, that’s all a team needs, one good roll at a time.

MIFFLIN COUNTY GIRLS BASKETBALL

Huskies look to turn defense and depth into a playoff run

BY BRIAN CARSON Sentinel reporter

LEWISTOWN – The sound of sneakers and shouts flls the Husky gym again, but this winter the rhythm feels steadier, more familiar. For the frst time in a few years, Miffin County girls’ basketball enters a season not trying to rebuild but to refne. Nearly everyone is back. Experience, at last, is an advantage instead of a question mark.

Head coach Crystal Weaver, now steering the program in her frst full season at the helm, has a roster that looks like a team on the verge of fnding its identity. Two seniors, Mackenzie Peachey and Ciara Williams, anchor a lineup rich in juniors, Payton Weaver, Jayda Kanagy, Leah Reed, Malaina Maxwell, and Mya Felmlee, and backed by a promising sophomore and freshman group that gives Weaver both fexibility and competition in practice. The program’s foundation is wide and growing.

“We have everyone back from last year except for one senior,” Weaver said.

“Most of the players invested signifcant time and effort into improving their game in the offseason. The varsity team played over 30 games together throughout the summer and fall.” That continuity doesn’t guarantee success, but it gives a team something invaluable in December: a shared language.

Last year’s 8-14 mark (5-9 Mid-Penn) exposed inconsistency more than a lack of ability. The Huskies could defend, could run, could hang with anyone for stretches. What they lacked was the steady scoring that separates competitive from contending. Losing sharpshooters Maelyn Gingrich and Jalee Bodtorf, who combined for 52 three-pointers

is

Second row, Addisyn Velez, Kennedy Pender, Malaina Maxwell, Jayda Kanagy, Mya Felmlee, Piper Adams, Carson Moore-Aldrich. Third row, Aisalynn Daly, Mackenzie Peachey, Regan Kenepp, Ciara Williams, Hayden Adams, Olivia Bedlyon, Leah Reed, Lily Curry, Gracie Kerstetter.

last season, creates an obvious hole, but one Weaver believes can be flled collectively rather than singularly.

“We’ll look to several players to step into those shooting roles this year, Payton Weaver and Jayda Kanagy,” she said. Both have shown the confdence and mechanics to extend defenses. Reed, a versatile junior who’s developed on both ends, could also be one of those players who suddenly makes a leap.

Peachey, meanwhile, brings the balance coaches crave: leadership without ego, experience without complacency. “She’s proven to be a leader on and off the court,” Weaver said. “We look to her, along with Payton, Jayda, and Leah, to step up and take on leadership roles.” For a program trying to turn effort into execution, those voices matter.

If defense and speed are the foundation, offense may follow from pressure. “This

season, the team’s main strengths lie in its defensive capabilities and overall speed on the foor,” Weaver said. “We aim to turn our defensive strengths into offensive opportunities throughout the season.” Translation: expect a lot of traps, defections, and transition chances. When the game gets ragged, Miffin County wants to look comfortable.

The balance between energy and control will defne the season. Weaver has emphasized communication and decision-making, knowing that the difference between a fve-point win and a fve-point loss often comes from one unforced turnover, one missed box out, one misheard call.

“Communication remains a daily focus,” she said. “Our players are focused on making better decisions and taking care of the ball.”

Depth gives her options.

Juniors Reed, Felmlee, and Maxwell are all expected to see major minutes, with

Reed’s development particularly encouraging. Two freshmen, Madison Peachey and Lily Curry, could see action early, bringing fresh energy to an already quick lineup. Senior Ciara Williams will have more of a presence inside and could look to score, especially off offense rebounds. For a coach building a program, that blend of upperclass maturity and youthful enthusiasm is the ideal mix.

Beyond the whiteboard and rotations lies something harder to measure but more powerful to feel: a sense of belief. It’s in the way the girls sprint through layup lines. It’s in the smiles between drills. It’s in the understanding that after a long offseason of pickup games and team camps, they fnally know what they have.

The goals are simple but ambitious. “The most obvious goal is to have a winning season and make the District 6 playoffs,” Weaver said. “Additionally,

we are committed to daily competition, challenging ourselves and competing with every team we face.” It’s the kind of statement that sounds standard until you realize how hard it is to live by.

In the Mid-Penn, there’s no shortage of challenges. Mechanicsburg, Cedar Cliff, Palmyra, any night can become a grind. Weaver knows consistency will be tested, especially against those programs. But she also knows her team has grown tired of moral victories. The next step is turning competitive games into complete ones.

Behind Weaver stands a staff built for development: assistant and JV coach Andy Baker, volunteers Brian Heckert, Emma Weaver, Rylie Shoemaker, and Dani Graig, plus freshman coach Chris Lehman with assistant AJ Hartsock and junior high coach Ben Stover. It’s a network of continuity that mirrors what’s happening on the court.

“I’m extremely excited to take on this leadership role,” Weaver said. “I hope to show the student-athletes of Miffin County the importance of mastering the fundamentals of the game while simultaneously building character and leadership.”

Eight months into her tenure, she’s watched the players grow, in skill and in how they carry themselves. The season ahead will test that growth against the scoreboard. But for a team built on familiarity, defense, and a summer spent chasing chemistry, the frst step toward something bigger might already be behind them.

It’s what happens next that will tell how far they’ve come.

Miffin County girls basketball Record: 8-14 (5-9 MidPenn). Coach: Crystal Weaver. Assistants: Andy Baker, Brian Heckert, Emma Weaver, Rylie Shoemaker, Dani Craig.

Huskies to roll with leadership, learning and laughter

BY BRIAN CARSON Sentinel reporter bcarson@lewistownsentinel.com

LEWISTOWN – The winter season brings many familiar sounds to Miffin County High School— shoes squeaking on gym foors, whistles echoing off walls, but for one program, the sound that matters most is softer and steadier: the gentle clack of bocce balls colliding. Inside that quiet rhythm lies one of the county’s most unifed and joyful sports experiences.

Coach Gina Moore’s Miffin County Unifed Bocce team enters the new season with a full roster, 10 athletes, the maximum allowed. That alone says something about the growth of a program still

young in years but rich in spirit. “This year’s unifed bocce team has a total of 10 players,” Moore said. “This is the maximum number we can have for a team.” In a sport where precision meets patience and teamwork outweighs individual fair, having a full roster is both a blessing and a challenge.

Moore’s optimism, however, is tempered with respect for what was lost. The team graduated two seniors, Remington Book and Logan Decker, whose presence reached far beyond the score sheet. “Remington was always eager to practice, play, and improve his game,” Moore said. “Logan will be missed because he was an all-around team leader. He would quietly analyze each move, coach his

is the Mifin County bocce ball team, from left, front to back, Harleigh

Pearson, Gracie Leister.

Second row, coach Denise Lane, Harry Beers IV, Barry Grosser, Jose Martinez, Conner Grubb, Haven Swartz Danner, Emmah Miller, coach Gina Moore.

peers, and pump everyone up to achieve our goals.”

In Unifed Bocce, where

athletes with and without disabilities compete together, that kind of lead-

ership defnes the culture. Still, this year’s group isn’t short on voices ready

to guide. The returning quartet of Lucas Garner,

See Moore / Page 11

Proud To Support Our Local Athletes!

Miffin County poised for another strong season

BY BRIAN CARSON

Sentinel reporter bcarson@lewistownsentinel.

com

LEWISTOWN – The quiet of winter doesn’t mean stillness for Miffin County’s runners, jumpers, and throwers. Inside gymnasiums and narrow hallways, in borrowed corners of the school, the Huskies are already back at work—polishing starts, tightening form, building a rhythm for a season that asks for speed before most have even warmed to the idea of spring.

Indoor track is a sport of early mornings and borrowed time. It’s preparation, not destination. Yet, for Coach Tamara Sechler and her program, the indoor season is more than a warmup. It’s a proving ground.

“We have a nice turnout again this year,” Sechler said. “Every year, I have the same goal. I’d like to see each athlete continue to improve at their events, getting better times and distances as the season progresses.”

Miffin County enters the winter with a roster that feels both deep and familiar. Names that carried cross country in the fall or starred on outdoor ovals in May are back for another test under the lights and rafters.

There’s Carter Smith, the senior distance standout and two-time state champion in the 800 meters, whose technical calm makes him look as if he’s solving a problem while everyone else is racing. There’s senior sprinter and jumper Reese Cubbison, whose power gives the Huskies a steady presence in the short sprints and relays. And there’s a cluster of rising juniors—like Koy Aurand and Wyatt Kauffman—who seem ready to close the gap

is the Mifin County boys indoor track team, from left, front to back, Hart Oden, Carter Smith, Brayden

Brayden Hess, Aiden Wible, Clay Ruble, Jackson Tate, Wyatt Kaufman.

Second row, Koy Aurand, Camryn Treaster, Aidan Scavitti, Brayden Stitt, Reese Cubbison, Zaiden Dashem, David Snyder, Logan Boyer.

Third row, Kaleb Grant, Trevan Divan, Connor Lynch, Logan Glass, Anthony Palopoli, Hoyt Rodenbaugh.

between potential and production.

Sechler said that the team lost key contributors in Daniel Warfel, Michael McNitt, and Ethan Plank, calling them “athletes who will be tough to replace, in both performance and leadership.” But she also sees new leaders emerging. “We hope to see Carter Smith and Reese Cubbison step into leadership roles for the boys track team,” she said.

“Their success over the last few years naturally leads others to look to them as examples of how to train to perform at your best.”

If the boys’ side feels seasoned, the girls’ lineup is balanced and quietly ambitious. Seniors like Ava Kratzer, Alleigh Caruso, Liberty Cook, and Amilia

Coffey lend maturity and poise to a group that’s ready to push toward stronger team fnishes.

“For the girls, I hope to see Maddy Clinard, Ava Kratzer and Mia Coffey lead the team with their positive attitudes and dedicated work ethics,” Sechler said. Juniors such as Lizzy Massie and Adalyn Ross provide consistency in the middle distances, while sophomores Taylor Kenepp and Reagan Sheetz bring speed and energy to the relays.

“Our boys’ team is blessed to have a phenomenal group competing with each other in the 800, 1600, and 3200,” Sechler added. “Carter Smith leads the way.

Reese Cubbison and Wyatt Kauffman are also return-

ing after successful seasons last year. Hoyt Rodenbaugh has shown during his cross-country season that he may also be a major contributor to the success of the program this year. We look for Trevan Diven to lead the way in the 200 and 400.”

For the girls, she said, “Our team is well-rounded and has individuals we anticipate will also place well during the indoor season. Taylor Kenepp is returning after a strong freshman season in sprints. Maddy Clinard and Annie Hartzler plan to lead the way in jumps. Ava Kratzer, Libby Cook and Mia Coffey have performed strong in the distance races. Reagan Sheetz is a newcomer to indoor track; we expect to see do

well in the hurdles.”

Indoor track rarely offers the glamor of outdoor meets. There’s no long straightaway for big crowds, no late-May sun to burn off the nerves. Instead, there’s the steady

echo of spikes on a 200-meter loop, the sharp intake of breath before a handoff, the hum of competition in tight quarters. Sechler has built her program around that discipline—focusing

MIFFLIN COUNTY SPORTS

Continued from Page 8

on precision, consistency, and effort that translates when the weather breaks.

“Everything we do now sets the tone for the spring,” she said.

That’s the quiet truth about indoor track: every rep counts twice. Once now, and again when it matters most.

Each season for Miffin County has carried a slightly different challenge—graduation losses, young rosters, uneven schedules—but this year’s roster feels cohesive.

Seniors like Smith and Cubbison provide standards to chase, while underclassmen such as freshman Logan Boyer and sophomore Anthony Palopoli gain valuable reps alongside them. For the girls, steady hands like Caroline Palopoli and Maya Morgan bridge the

gap between classes, mentoring the likes of Ross and Sheetz.

Sechler said it’s too early to predict exactly who might break through, but she’s encouraged by what she’s seen. “It’s too soon to answer that fully since indoor track is not a scoring sport,” she said. “But we do have newcomers that we are excited to see perform at the meet this Saturday.”

And if history is any guide, her optimism is earned. Indoor has often been the place where Mifflin County athletes sharpen edges that make a difference come outdoor season. State qualifers, county champions, and district fnalists have come through this very cycle of winter repetition. The names change, but the rhythm doesn’t.

As the Huskies head into another winter, Sechler keeps her message simple: improvement, effort, and

preparation. “This year, we have the potential for multiple qualifers in individual races and a couple of relays at the PTFCA Indoor State Championships,” she said.

So as winter closes in, Miffin County runs against more than the clock. They run toward spring, toward the better versions of themselves that months of steady work can reveal. Indoors, under fuorescent lights and echoing walls, they chase that invisible line between what they’ve done and what they might still become.

Miffin County indoor track

Coach: Tamara Sechler.

Assistants: Alex Monroe, Richard Yearick, Shannon Specht, Allan Hepner, Sonny Ciccolini, Todd Peters, Dan Palopoli, Kristin Kauffman, Kimberly Bennett, Elizabeth Whitenight, Justin Whitenight, Bronson Smith-Price.

Christie, Lizzy Massie, Caroline Palopoli, Taylor Kenepp, Jovie Kaufman, Madison Baumgardner, Maddy Clinard. Third row, Abigail Anderson, Annie Hartzler, Khloe Stitt, Maya Morgan, Liberty Cook.

EAST JUNIATA AIR RIFLE

Mattern Marksmanship: Tigers want more focus

BY ANTHONY FIUZA Sentinel sports editor afuza@lewistownsentinel.com

COCOLAMUS — With the air rife season on the horizon, East Juniata head coach Seth Mattern believes the program is in good shape.

“We have a great group of shooters. They are all able to achieve their goals. This is probably our strongest team in the history of the program. We will lose fve seniors at the end of the season. The underclassmen are shooting well and learning from the upperclassman. We have 14 kids on the team this year,” Mattern explained.

The Tigers coach added that there are some shooters who are in line for a stellar year.

“Daylyn Kennedy, a senior, so far is our overall top shooter. Followed closely by Remington Shirk and our top female shooter Emily Goodling. These three seniors should be the top three match to match. Overall, the whole team is shooting really well. Three of our sophomores have all shot as high as 95 in practice,” Mattern said.

Mattern’s wife, Kris, is assisting him mainly for administrative support and handling things like scoring targets in practice so he can focus on shooting technique with the students.

Mattern is entering his frst year as the Tigers head coach and he said there are some adjustments to make.

“Just learning how the matches are run and getting all the small things fgured out. Establishing a booster club so we could get new equipment needed to support the shooters - custom made pellet traps, updating the range, new printers, new team logos, etc. Getting to know the students

photo

East Juniata air rife team, front row, from left, Colton Bassler, Katurah Haines, Emily Goodling, Drue Hofman, Clay Snyder, Cooper Arnold. Second row, Seth Mattern-Coach, Remington Rissler, Camden Bargo, Drew Bennett, Remington Shirk, Daylyn Kennedy, Banks Fry, Aiden Miller.

and learning to work in tandem with them,” Mattern noted.

This season the Tigers want to bring more focus to the range.

“We don’t do drills. This year we are focusing on proper breathing. The one thing I noticed last season was lack of focus. So, we are working on techniques to help get the kids into the right head space - common-

ly called the shooter’s bubble - as well as taking more time in between shots. One new practice method is to have two bullseyes. They get a total of 15 shots - three on the top bull (target) for sighting and then 12 shots to try and make one hole in the bottom bull,” Mattern highlighted.

How can the Tigers improve on last season?

“Win at least one match.

Hopefully three. Achieve a high team score of 495 in a match. Right now at the beginning of the season they are shooting at the same level they were at the end of last season. They are starting out in a very good place,” Mattern added.

The EJ coach said Elizabethtown will be a good test this year. “They are one of the oldest and best funded programs. They have the

years and experience to make them a tough opponent,” Mattern said.

Mattern said that fans can expect the EJ shooters to come together.

“To see the team work together to achieve their goals. A team that has fun and supports each other.

The kids want to win and should be able to get at least a few,” Mattern added.

EJ opens their season on

Dec. 15 against Ephrata.

Air Rifle Schedule

12/15 vs Ephrata 4 p.m.

1/10 at Manheim 11 a.m.

1/16 at Elizabethtown 4 p.m.

1/19 vs Governor Mifflin 1 p.m.

1/23 at Conestoga Valley 4 p.m.

Continued from Page 7

Harry Beers III, Harleigh DeArment, and Emmah Miller form the backbone of the team. Each brings experience and a sense of mentorship that can’t be measured by points or frames won. “With six new players on our team this year, we expect each of our returning players to take on leadership roles to mentor and assist our newcomers,” Moore said.

Those newcomers—Conner Grubb, Barry Grosser, Gracie Leister, Joey Martinez, Marin Pearson, and Haven Swartz Danner— bring enthusiasm that feels contagious. Unifed sports thrive on shared energy, and Moore sees plenty of it. “Each of these athletes is eager to learn and do their very best,” she said. “We expect all of

them to become scoring threats and contribute to our team goals.” In bocce, where concentration and strategy often win the day, new energy can sharpen focus and fuel improvement across the board.

Every season, Moore’s teams take shape as the practices accumulate.

Early throws are lessons in precision. Team meetings often look more like problem-solving sessions than drills. Veterans explain strategy, rookies experiment, and laughter flls the gym between rolls. Moore credits that environment for producing growth that shows up on match day.

“Our core strength will be our returning players,” she said. “They will take on the leadership roles and teach the newcomers various strategies to be successful. We continue to improve each practice and can’t wait for our matches

WINTER SPORTS

to begin.”

It’s the emphasis on teaching—on shared growth rather than winning—that has made unifed bocce such a fxture in the Mid-Penn Conference.

While other sports measure progress in wins and losses, bocce rewards communication, patience, and understanding. For Moore, those values are the point.

“Our goal for this season is to improve every game, grow as a ‘team,’ and have fun participating in the Mid-Penn Conference,” she said.

There’s no shortage of competition in the conference, but Moore doesn’t point to any single rival.

“It is diffcult to say at this point who the team to beat will be,” she said. “Each team will present its own challenges. We hope to be the best that we can be and be one of those ‘teams to beat.” That answer, simple

as it sounds, refects the sport’s deeper truth—bocce is as much about steady improvement as it is about outplaying anyone else.

Behind Moore is assistant coach Denise Lane, who helps keep the program organized and upbeat. Together, they lead a group that exemplifes what unifed sports are meant to be: equal parts athletic challenge and human connection. Watching a unifed bocce match, one can see it—the high-fves after a well-placed shot, the supportive cheers after a miss, the blend of competition and compassion that makes the game unique.

In the end, Moore’s team isn’t chasing trophies as much as shared moments. The real victories happen quietly, one frame at a time. A newcomer mastering a diffcult shot. A veteran offering encouragement. A team growing

Mifin County’s Reese Moore lets the ball go to set up a score against Susquenita during a game last season.

closer as winter unfolds.

If the gentle roll of a bocce ball across a polished gym foor sounds like a small thing, it isn’t. For Miffin County’s unifed bocce team, it’s the sound of belonging, of patience rewarded, and of another season ready to begin.

JUNIATA BOCCE

Indains want to keep rolling

BY KENNY VARNER Sports correspondeent sports@lewistownsentinel.com

MIFFLINTOWN — It was a very successful season for the Juniata high school bocce team last season.

The team record last year for the Indians was 5-3.

Coaching the Indians season will be Emma Arentz. She will be assisted by Marcus Brothers and Denise Primak.

Coming into the season, the team will have lost three athletes from last year’s squad due to graduation.

“We lost Darin Kint, Gage Harlon and Savannah Marshall to graduation,” said Arentz.

The returning athletes are bringing some skills back to the lane in the upcoming season.

Juniata

“Our returning players are Zach Miller, Luke Erhard, Aleron D. Alivia Auker, and Allison Burdge,” added Arentz.

Arentz will have two solid athletes that she will be looking for for leadership this year.

“We will be looking at leadership from Allison Burdge and Alivia Auker,” said Arentz. “They are both so helpful with every player and always cheering everyone on.”

With the formation of the bocce format, no players will have to sit on the bench, there will be no battling for playing time, according to Arentz.

“There will not be anyone battling for playing time because everyone

plays,” said Arentz. “Bocce Ball is all about inclusion.

Juniata looks as if their strength comes from the team’s techniques.

“Strengths are banging the balls off the court side walls to slow it down to get closest,” added Arentz.

Timing is one of the things that the team is working on a little extra to get caught up with other items.

“Weaknesses are we need to take our time rolling and really focus,” said Arentz. “We tend to just blank out when it is our turn to roll and just roll it fast.”

The goals for the team is simple: have fun and play hard.

“A goal each year as a coach but also for the team is to always have fun while

still being competitive and focus on the game,” said Arentz.

The schedule will be pretty competitive this season for the Indians.

“A tough team we foresee this year is West Perry. They are a well organized, big team,” said Arentz. “We got the chance to play them in the playoffs last year as they beat us in the regular reason.”

Juniata bocce

Coach: Emma Arentz Assistants: Marcus Brothers and Denise Primak

League: Independent 2024 record: 5-3

JUNIATA BOYS BASKETBALL

GOSS

Alex Armstrong, Josh Nace, Chase Heartland, Drew Geedey, Nick Reed, Jasper Shepps, Jadon Nealman.

Juniata wants to keep climbing in TVL

BY KENNY VARNER

Sports correspondeent sports@lewistownsentinel.com

MIFFLINTOWN – Coming into the 2025-26 season, the Juniata Indians basketball team is looking to build off its 12-11 overall record from the previous year.

The Indians finished the season with a District playoff game and a fourth-place finish in the Tri-Valley League.

One of the staples for this team has been longtime veteran coach Al Ream. Ream will once again be at the helm this season for the Indians as he will be assisted by Erich Graybill.

The team lost some of its senior leadership from last season but will usher in some new blood and leadership.

Lost from last year’s team to graduation from the Indians were Caden Swailes and Isaac Carlson .

“Those were the two seniors we lost last year,” said Ream.

The team will return a long distinguished list of letter winners.

They are, Jasper Shepps, Ricky Guante, Jaden Nealman, Nick Reed.

Juniata has some strong underclassmen that will be fighting for some floor time in the upcoming season.

“Players making a strong run for playing time so far is Brian Kuhn, Damian Vance, both were also returning letter winners,” said Ream. Alex Armstrong, Nolan Imes and Drew Geedey will be battling for time.

Strengths according to the veteran coach will come from the defensive end of the court.

“I would say that our defensive knowledge and skills are going to be an advantage for us coming into the season,” said Ream.

Some things the Indians are working on to catch up with its defense will be developing its offense.

“We are trying to catch up with the offense. Defense is always quicker to jump to the forefront than the offense,” said Ream. “Offense you got to handle the ball, you got to pass the ball well, get into the right spot, post up, you have to get your touch down on your shot. So all those things are coming along here. We are spending more time on those.”

The goals are simple.

“We want to be in contention for the league championship. We want to be able to go to districts and win a couple of district games,” said Ream.

The 2025-26 schedule has some tough opponents on it but the team is looking forward to the challenge.

“Susquenita is going to be much improved. They got a couple of big kids

and they played well this summer,” said Ream. “Line Mountain I think is going to be tough. Greenwood is always tough. They are always disciplined. I think we can be in the mix if we keep our nose to the grindstone and keep working hard. I think EJ has some

good kids that can put them into contention too. So, I think the league is well balanced and I know a lot of teams lost a lot to graduation and there have been some coaching chances so I think it’s going to be a well balanced league.

Juniata boys basketball Coach: Al Ream Assistants: Erich Graybill League: Tri-Valley League 2024-25 record: 12-11 overall, 8-6 TVL

JUNIATA GIRLS BASKETBALL

Pictured is the Juniata girls basketball team, front row, from left, Rosa Servellon, Payton Beckenbaugh, Sara Montoya, Genesis Guante, Paige Martin, Aubryn Deihl, Neikalyx Ibarra. Second row, Lindsea Gilson, Maura Campagna, Grace Reinhold, Mylee Landis, Gabby Reed, Olivia Mummah, Carolyn Heidenreich.

Indians look to build on 15-win season

BY KENNY VARNER

Sports correspondeent sports@lewistownsentinel.com

MIFFLINTOWN – After a very successful year in her rookie head coaching career, Hannah Geedey had her team primed and ready for action last year as the Juniata girls basketball team finished with an impressive 15-8 record.

Geedey will be helped by a veteran crew of assistants.

“Becca Zendt is our returning JV Coach, and Jen Field, Bruce Brumbaugh, Jim Fosselman, and Ellie Shepps our volunteer coaches,” said Geedey.

Two of the Lady Indians top players are gone due to graduation this season.

They were Regan Lowrey and Reagan Burd.

Despite the loss of the two standout players, Geedey will bring a squad of veterans to the forefront as they start the 2025-26 campaign.

“All of our returners have varsity experience,” the coach said.

Leadership-wise, Geedey will be looking primarily at her captains for leadership.

We will be looking at our three captains: seniors Mylee Landis and Grace Reinhold and junior Sara Montoya, said Geedey.

Geedey has some promising young players coming up through.

“We have a very strong sophomore class and they

are vying for starting spots,” said Geedey.

The second year coach sees her strengths this season coming from the defensive side of the court.

“Our defense and transition mindset will be our strengths,” added Geedey.

The team is trying to work on its offensive game as the season quickly comes to the forefront.

“I’m looking forward to seeing more consistency in our outside shooting,” said Geedey.

The goals for the team this year are simple ones for the coach.

“The goal will always be to win a district championship and move on to States,” noted Geedey.

Playing in a very tough

Tri-Valley League Conference this season and numerous tough opponents.

“St. Joe’s is a powerhouse in our league, while Penns Valley and Selinsgrove are tough competitors out of conference,” said Geedey.

Juniata girls basketball Coach: Hannah Geedey Assistant Coaches: Becca Zendt is our returning JV Coach, and Jen Field, Bruce Brumbaugh, Jim Fosselman, and Ellie Shepps our volunteer coaches.

League: Tri-Valley League 2024 -25 record: 15-8

Juniata’s 2025-26 schedule 12/12 at St. Joe’s

6 p.m.

12/15 vs Greenwood 7:30 p.m.

12/18 at Line Mtn. 7:30 p.m.

12/29 at York County Tech 3 p.m. (Halifax Candy Cane Classic )

12/30 at Halifax Candy Cane Classic TBA

1/05 at Selinsgrove 7:30 p.m.

1/08 vs UDA 6:30 p.m.

1/10 vs East Juniata 5 p.m.

1/12 at Halifax 7:30 p.m. 1/15 vs Millersburg

7:30 p.m.

1/19 at Newport 7:30 p.m.

1/22 vs St. Joe’s 6:30 p.m.

1/24 vs West Perry 7:30 p.m.

1/27 at Greenwood 7:30 p.m.

1/29 vs Susquenita 7:30 p.m.

1/30 vs Belleville Christian 5 p.m.

2/03 at Penns Valley 7:30 p.m.

2/05 vs Shamokin 7:30 p.m.

2/07 at East Juniata 7 p.m.

JUNIATA WRESTLING

Second

Third

Seniors lead Indians onto the mat

BY KENNY VARNER

Sports correspondeent sports@lewistownsentinel.com

MIFFLINTOWN —

There is a lot of excitement brewing from the Juniata boys wrestling team this season as the Indians are primed and ready to go af-

ter a tough 5-11 season that had vacant spots in the lineup.

“We are forfeiting anywhere from 18-24 points in a match. Last year we didn’t have any lightweights until 121,” said Coach Jarred Dressler.

This season the Juniata matmen are working on

filling those openings.

The legendary wrestling program did not lose anyone to graduation last year as they brought back a lineup of veterans to the mat.

“We have all our wrestlers returning, “ added Dressler. “That puts us

EAST JUNIATA GIRLS BASKETBALL

is the East Juniata girls basketball team, front row, from left, Riley Apple, Carolyn Dressler, Kennedy Strawser, McKaylyn Peters, Hayley Cramer.

Second row, Kaelyn Walter, Haven Smith, Kennedy Seigler-Lewis, Landyn Cramer, Madison Snyder, Elysia Lopez, Addison Eby.

East Juniata Tigers eye rebound season

BY ANTHONY FIUZA

Sentinel sports editor afuza@lewistownsentinel.com

COCOLAMUS — After a 6-17 season last girls basketball season, East Juniata is hunting for better days in 2025-26.

Entering the season, EJ has fve seniors on its roster, which includes Landyn Cramer, Carolyn Dressler, Makaylyn Peters, Kennedy Seigler-Lewis and Madison Snyder.

Tigers head coach Laurel Amey said, “I expect all of

them to step up and lead this season.”

She is being assisted by Matt Ritzman and Alyssa Robinson and Clayre Guyer, who are both volunteer assistants.

The Tigers bring some experience back to the court this year.

“We return all fve starters and have some athletic players behind them, so our expectation is to build and continue to improve from last year. Last season, we were fortunate to slide into districts, so our goal is to make district

playoffs again and be competitive within the Tri-Valley League,” Amey noted.

East Juniata also has a new mantra for the basketball campaign, which could help their players.

“Our mantra for the year is “guarantee process.” This means that we focus on controlling the controllables. We can control our effort, our attitude, and do the little things correctly,” Amey highlighted.

The Tigers will face some stiff competition again this season.

“St. Joe’s is the back-toback league champ and returns several core players. Juniata returns some talent and is always a good test for us within the cross-county rivalry. Greenwood has a solid group of juniors and seniors who will be ready to challenge anyone in the league,” Amey added about the surrounding competition.

The Tigers learned some valuable lessons from last year’s struggles and can build on that moving forward.

“We struggled at times last

season, but from that, I think we learned where we need to improve. Last year was the frst time that any of our players had the opportunity to play in a district playoff game. So, I think we learned what it feels like to play in a game of a larger magnitude. This experience makes us more prepared for the season to come as well as more motivated to make it back to the postseason,” Amey said.

EJ wants to have younger players grow alongside the veteran group over the course

of the season.

“Team chemistry has been solid. On a team with fve seniors, team chemistry is not something that is typically an issue. As the season progresses, we hope to build our younger players into this team chemistry as well,” Amey mentioned. “Riley Apple and Addy Eby did not get a ton of varsity time last season, but can defnitely grow their roles and positively impact our team this year.”

The Lady Tigers play MiddWest on Dec. 10.

Continued from Page 15

at, I believe, 10 seniors on the squad. We have a big group of seniors that are coming up through. We are definitely looking forward to this season. We have all but a full lineup this season.”

Juniata will be once again coached by Jarred Dressler and assisted by Anthony Consey and Jeremy Smith.

Returning seniors this season are Kelton Bonnell, Ty Fahnestock, Ryder Smith, Colten Rowles, Cody Nipple, Anthony Maradiaga, Hayden Burns and Derrick Aurand.

“We have a couple of sophomores we have been looking at for some potential mat time. The only thing is that all our sophomores are clustered around

the 152 and 160 and that’s where we have returners at that weight,” Dressler noted.

“A couple of underclassmen we will be looking at are Austin Mathews, a sophomore, coming up from East Juniata. Another one is Blake Shreffler. He is definitely going to be a standout. If he doesn’t have a lot of start time this year he’s going to be something to be looking forward to in the coming years.”

For leadership, Dressler has numerous wrestlers he will be looking for leadership.

“With this class, there are a bunch of them,” said Dressler. “But I think the main ones I’ll be looking to lead the team and trying to push everybody would be Anthony Maradiaga, Colten Rowles, Kelton Bonnell and Ryder Smith. Those are the ones we will really

JUNIATA WINTER SPORTS

need to lead the team and try to get the fire going by putting points on the board.”

Dressler thinks the number of seniors returning will be one of the Indians’ biggest strengths.

“I think our strengths this year will definitely be the number of seniors that are coming through,” said Dressler. “That’s going to be a big plus and it’s going to encourage the juniors that are coming through for next year as well. Show them how to lead the team and be successful.”

Some of the items the veteran coach has the team working on comes from the mentality on the mat as well as the physical aspects.

“Conditioning is always going to be one of those big things. Right now we are reviewing the basics and trying to regain where we

left off last season,” said Dressler. “That’s always one of the big things in just making sure everyone has the energy and endurance to last three periods. So that’s been one of the things we’ve been working on as well as working on positioning, from neutral, top and bottom. Just going over technique and making sure everyone is fresh and crisp. Those are always going to be the big things. Strength and conditioning is another thing we are really working on this year to make sure that we’re able to go toe-to-toe with anyone that steps out there.”

Goals for this year’s squad are simple ones.

“The goal for this year’s team is to have a winning season. We definitely want to put more Ws on the board,” said Dressler. “After having a season of 5-11

we are definitely looking forward to having a season of reversing those numbers. We still don’t have a completely full lineup right now but we are still wrestling with a limit but with the number of seniors and the talent we have returning we definitely are going to be in most of the matches.”

Dressler sees numerous teams on this year’s schedule that will be battles in the upcoming season.

“Definitely with the TVL it is Line Mountain. Line Mountain is always going to be that one that has some style competition and wrestlers who are already state and nationally ranked. Upper Dauphin is always right there and Newport, too. Each and everyone of them are going to be tough competitors,” said Dressler. “We are all fighting for the same league title. We are

definitely sprinkling more stronger tournaments to build up our strength and our wins.”

Juniata wrestling (boys/girls)

Coach: Jarred Dressler Assistants: Anthony Consey, Jeremy Smith League: Tri-Valley League Record: Boys - 5-11 (1-5 TVL). Girls 3-6.

EAST JUNIATA BOYS BASKETBALL

Tigers have three seniors entering basketball season

BY ANTHONY FIUZA

Sentinel

sports

editor

afuza@lewistownsentinel.com

COCOLAMUS — Entering his frst year as the East Juniata boys basketball head coach, Tyler Erhard has high expectations for the Tigers in 2025.

“I have very high expectations for my frst year as head coach. I’ve been with this team the previous two seasons as an assistant coach. We have a really good group of guys that have worked really hard in the offseason and I think that is really going to pay off for us this year,” Erhard said.

Erhard will be assisted by Andy Smith. The Tigers

are coming off of a 6-17 season and are searching for answers this year.

EJ has three senior captains in Wrett Smith, Jaiden May and Sam Kopacki, who are expected to be the leaders for the team.

What are the Tigers working on for the new basketball year?

“We are really trying to focus on the little things this season. Making sure the team has solid fundamentals. We really need to focus on rebounding well and limiting our turnovers. If we can do that, I think we are going to have a very successful season,” Erhard noted.

Erhard added that deciding to coach EJ made sense

for a few reasons.

“I graduated from EJ in 2010 and played basketball here from elementary school all the way up through. It’s extremely special to be able to come back and coach at the school where I played as well,” the Tigers coach said.

EJ’s unity has been strong so far.

“Team chemistry has been extremely good this season. The team has great energy every time we step in the gym and the guys are really buying into what we are trying to do this season,” Erhard said.

Erhard believes a couple of underclassmen could help the squad.

“We have a couple of un-

derclassmen, Ryan Mitchell and Meyer Ramsey, that didn’t play many varsity minutes for us last season. They both have put in a lot of work this offseason and I think will be key players for us coming off the bench,” Erhard stated.

Which teams in the Tri-Valley League are good tests for EJ this year?

“I believe the conference is going to be extremely competitive all the way through this season. I feel like Susquenita and St. Joseph’s will be the toughest tests for us and our performance against them will really show us where we stack up in the conference,” Erhard added.

EJ is scheduled to host

Newport on Thursday.

EJ boys hoops schedule 12/11 vs Newport 7:30 p.m.

12/17 at Midd-West 7:30 p.m.

12/19 vs Greenwood 7:30 p.m.

12/22 at St. Joeʼs 7:30 p.m.

12/27 vs Belleville Christian 7 p.m.

1/03 vs Fairfield 3:30 p.m.

1/08 vs Millersburg 7:30 p.m.

1/10 at Juniata 7 p.m.

1/12 at Susquenita 7:30 p.m.

1/15 vs Line Mtn. 7:30 p.m.

1/17 vs Wyalusing Valley 1:30 p.m.

1/19 at UDA 7:30 p.m.

1/21 vs St. Joeʼs 7:30 p.m.

1/23 at Newport 7:30 p.m.

1/29 at Greenwood 7:30 p.m.

1/31 at Southern Huntingdon 7:30 p.m.

2/04 vs Jersey Shore 7:30 p.m.

2/07 vs Juniata 5 p.m.

MIDD-WEST BOYS BASKETBALL

Midd-West’s boys basketball team, front row, from left, Brayden Walburn, Rodney Heim. Middle row, Brock Will, Ronnie Johnson, Calvin Beaver, Kamari Thomas, Gabe Castle, Abram Sellers, Manasseh Prinsloo, Hezekiah

Back, JV Coach Delvin Hahn, Assistant Coach Ben Shirk, Nolan Errickson, Landon Peters, Landon Masden, Collin Zechman, Jayden Riveria, Casey Matthews, Weston Shultz, Logan Hollenbach, Chase Shattuck, Quentin Hartley, Maverick Smith, Drake Grohowski, Head Coach Dezz Henderson.

Mustangs want to kick down door to win column

BY GREG WILLIAMS Sentinel reporter

gwilliams@lewistownsentinel.com

MIDDLEBURG —- Rahdazz Henderson admits last year’s Midd-West boys basketball campaign had almost everything he could imagine.

Almost. Except for victories.

The Mustangs were mired in a 14-game losing streak before winning their season fnale against Milton. There was also an overtime loss at Northumberland Christian.

Old-fashioned drubbings – both ways – where MiddWest throttled Newport by 35 points then scored a combined 34 points in losses at the hands of Selinsgrove and Shikellamy.

There were high-scoring affairs – a 59-point effort in a loss at East Juniata.

And nail-biting squeakers – two-point loss against South Williamsport and the aforementioned victory over Milton.

And the Mustangs’ three wins overall: at Line Mountain and two at home against Newport and Milton.

When the dust cleared, Henderson and the Mustangs corralled a 3-19 record, including 0-10 in Pennsylvania Heartland Athletic Conference Division I play. At times, it marked progress. But, mostly, it proved nothing to write home about.

While the win-loss record might not have turned heads, the real victories this season went far deeper than numbers on a scoreboard. From individual milestones to personal growth and team unity, Midd-West took meaningful steps toward building

a competitive culture rooted in accountability, resilience and integrity.

Henderson hopes the new campaign will prove differently. Although the Mustangs, who beat Line Mountain on the road in 2024-25 by a 39-26 margin, lost 65-44 this year.

“I think that kind of enlightened us to the caliber of team we have,” Henderson explained. “We have to hone in on the defensive end. We lacked the physicality and lack the attention to detail, and that’s where we get hurt.

“I think we will still be great this year, but this was another wakeup call of where we need to be,” Henderson added.

Senior guard D’Zani Coley posted 16 points and freshman guard Abram Sellers added 14 points.

LOST CREEK SHOE SHOP

JUNIATA GIRLS WRESTLING

Indians bring back small group but they’re mighty

BY KENNY VARNER Sports correspondent

MIFFLINTOWN — Last year, the Juniata girls battled throughout the season with a squad of four wrestlers.

The team battled to a regular season record of 3-6.

The good news coming into the season is that coach Jarred Dressler doesn’t lose anyone from graduation on his girls squad.

“We have everyone returning including PIAA state placewinner Katelynn Krepps from last year,” said Dressler.

Also returning are other letterwinners Jordana Steffen, Madison Bryner, Bethany Reichard, Ava Ingle and Krepps.

The team is also bringing up wrestlers from the junior high this season in Brea Beward, Mackenzie Wray and Rylee Delancey.

In the leadership department, Dressler will be looking for leadership from his PIAA state medal winner and teammate.

“That is defnitely going to fall on

Katelynn Krepps and Madison Bryner,” added Dressler. “They were the two that went the farthest last year. So I defnitely look forward to them stepping up and encouraging their teammates to give it their all.”

Strengths for this year’s team will come from its offseason, according to Dressler.

“That would be that the majority of the girls have been practicing all year round,” said Dressler. “Katelynn Krepps, Madison Bryner, they were going in for morning practices. The talent that will be coming from the two and the talent that will be trickling down to other girls is going to be something.”

Preparation this season will include not only the mental aspects but physical aspects as well.

“Girls-wise, especially the new ones will be working on getting technique down, different positions, their endurance as well and just pushing them to see a goal and work to that goal and readjust to the goal once that goal is met,” added Dressler.

A team goal for the Indians this

year is to improve throughout the season.

“Team goals for the girls right now is to consistently improve,” said Dressler. “We are sitting around nine girls on varsity so I mean we are still able to hone in on those matches until we can put up a whole lineup. It’s tough to put a goal, record up there. So as long as we can improve upon our 3-6 record from last year and better that, that’s going to be the goal as we wrestle this year.”

There are some teams on the schedule who will be tough competitors this campaign

“Our girls Juniata Duals will be a tough one on the schedule. There are going to be some tough teams that will be coming to that,” said Dressler.

Juniata is scheduled to battle Susquenita on Dec. 10 and Sugar Valley on Dec. 15. Southern Huntingdon is slated to be an opponent for Juniata in the Juniata Duals on Jan. 4.

Continued from Page 19

Senior forward Logan Hollenbach tacked on eight points.

When discussing key contributors to Midd-West’s success this season, one name stands out above the rest: Coley. A dynamic scorer and relentless competitor, Coley earned second-team All-PHAC honors and led the team with an impressive 14.6 points per game.

His on-court consistency and impact were vital to the Mustangs’ offensive fow and overall competitiveness.

“D’Zani was our go-to guy all season,” Henderson shared. “He carried a significant load offensively and played with a ton of heart. He led by example.” Coley’s recognition not only highlights his personal growth but also refects the program’s ability

to develop talent capable of making waves in one of Pennsylvania’s most competitive leagues.

“D’Zani has a lot of great offensive talent,” Henderson added. “He didn’t get to play any varsity time as a sophomore, so I think he had some growing pains last year.”

Besides Coley, who stands 5-10, and the 6-3 Hollenbach, Midd-West’s roster has seniors Quentin Hartley, a 6-4 forward; Jaxon Paige, a 5-10 guard; and Chase Shuttuck, a 6-3 forward.

“We’ve asked those guys to take leadership roles and police the program and they’ve responded well,” Henderson said of the responsibility he handed to Coley, Hollenbach and Shattuck, who are the Mustangs’ captains.

The lone junior out this winter is Weston Shultz, a 6-1 forward.

While many teams measure success purely by wins, Henderson took a broader

approach this season. His mission was clear: to develop respectable young men both on and off the court. And in that regard, he believes last year was a resounding success. “My overall goal was to produce respectable young men,” Henderson said. “I believe that goal was achieved.”

Wins and losses aside, the Mustangs grew a lot. “We demand a lot from our guys,” Henderson said. “We hold them accountable. I think we have a lot of maturity on this team, and it will show this season as we move along.”

This focus on character building sets the tone for a program committed to developing more than just athletes — it aims to shape leaders, teammates, and future role models. The emphasis on discipline, unity, and responsibility has laid the foundation for a program that prioritizes long-term success.

The future of the program certainly looks bright from

a numbers game as there are nine sophomores and eight freshmen competing for time.

The sophomores feature Hezekiah Prinsloo, a 5-7 guard; Manasseh Prinsloo, a 5-8 guard; Casey Matthews, a 6-3 forward; and Maverick Smith, a 5-10 forward.

As the season progressed, new names emerged as essential components of MiddWest’s game plan: Shattuck, Hezekiah Prinsloo, and Hollenbach took on enhanced roles and answered the call with poise and determination.

“Each of them was relied on heavily toward the end of the season,” Henderson said. “Their development was crucial, and I expect big things moving forward.” This trio exemplifes the kind of raw talent that excites Henderson the most — athletes still refning their game but committed to the process of improvement. Their continued growth will be vital in

shaping the next generation of Midd-West basketball.

Henderson is high on Hezekiah Prinsloo. “Heze is another one like D’Zani. He naturally has God-given ability. He has to fnd a way not to overthink the game. He was in and out of the point guard role. Once the game slows down for him, I think he will become a big offensive threat, and it will help him respond on the defensive end as well.”

The same is true with the freshmen, which have a talented mix of guards and forwards. Among the guards are Sellers, who stands 5-8; and 5-9 Drake Grohowski.

Every season has turning points, and for Midd-West, the most impactful came during a hard-fought overtime loss to Northumberland Christian.

It wasn’t just a missed win — it was a moment that tested the Mustangs’ resilience and exposed the gaps in experience and execution.

“That game derailed a lot of

our confdence,” Henderson recalled. “It was a make-orbreak moment, and unfortunately, our lack of experience showed in the clutch.”

But true to the program’s identity, Midd-West didn’t fold. Instead, the Mustangs rebounded with a strong performance against Newport and capped the season with a hard-earned win over Milton, ending the campaign on a positive note.

Those late-season efforts showed not just growth but also a willingness to bounce back — an attribute that will serve the Mustang program well in years to come.

Midd-West boys basketball District 4 4A

Last year: 3-19, 0-10 Pennsylvania Heartland Athletic Conference Division I

Coaches: Rahdazz Henderson, head coach, second year; Delvin Hahn and Ben Shirk, assistant coaches.

MIDD-WEST GIRLS BASKETBALL

Mustangs working hard for bounceback year

BY GREG WILLIAMS Sentinel reporter gwilliams@lewistownsentinel.com

MIDDLEBURG – MiddWest girls basketball coach

Patrick O’Brien has kept a close eye on how hard he is working with everyone. The Mustangs don’t have a roster with a lot of room for a lot of fexibility.

Avoiding injuries and ailments will be important for a team trying to rebuild from last year’s disappointment. Midd-West fnished 1-21 and 0-10 in Division I of the Pennsylvania Heartland Athletic Conference.

“I’ve been 30 years with collecting drills, and I’ve had to modify a lot of them to deal with only having seven players,” said O’Brien, who is also making his Mustang debut at the helm of the program. “Even playing 3-on-3 has been diffcult. We’ve brought in some alumni, and scrimmaged them a couple of times.

“We’ve defnitely had to modify a lot of drills where you normally need eight, nine or 10 players to successfully run through drills,” O’Brien added.

While the Mustangs might lack in numbers, they don’t lack in height. Emma Wagner and Izzy Walter, who both stand 5-11, return for their senior seasons and will be asked to carry much of the load with scoring and rebounding. Wagner led Midd-West in scoring at 10.0 points per game, with Walter close behind at 8.4 points. Both averaged about 8.0 rebounds per game, while Wagner, who was an all-PHAC second team all-star last season, also registered 1.7 steals per outing.

“The strength of this team is defnitely our post players,” O’Brien explained. “We’re really going to rely on them to do a lot

of different things for us. They feed off each other.”

Both showed what they were capable of during the Mustangs’ lone victory – a 39-25 win at Montgomery on Dec. 27. Wagner scored 14 points and pulled down 15 rebounds and added three assists and three steals.

Walter fnished with 13 points to go with 13 rebounds and fve steals. The margin could have been more, but the Mustangs struggled at the foul line, managing to hit 9 of 27 free throws.

“Izzy has a great approach to it, she’s very coachable,” O’Brien said.

“She’s locked into everything I’ve given her. She has a great demeanor and a great outlook. She can hit that 15 footer or got some post moves she’s developed over the years. She’s really relentless around the basket.”

While O’Brien has watched his team on flm, he has been more anxious to work with his players on the court.

“I’ve watched a lot of flm, and it was really a matter of not executing well or taking care of the basketball, not handling the press well, “ O’Brien said.

Midd-West is also going to have to cope with the loss of junior Lauren Nesbit, who decided not to come out this winter. Nesbit, who played both guard-forward, averaged 3.0 points and 6.0 rebounds with 1.3 assists.

“She decided not to come out; it’s a tough one to take.”

The Mustangs do have sophomore Maddie Bonsall, a 5-5 guard, as well as senior Cali Sauer, a 5-6 guard-forward. Bonsall is the ball handler of the bunch and is expected to be the Mustangs’ point guard.

“If we can’t get the ball to the post players, it will be diffcult for us this year.

“Cali is a capable shooter and has the best perimeter ability,” O’Brien added. “Hopefully, she can open some things up.”

The loss of Nesbit also means that at least one of the Mustangs’ three freshmen will fnd themselves in the starting lineup at the guard spot. Julia Boop stands 5-6 and has drawn rave reviews from her coach.

“She has a real sense of toughness and gives us rebounding from the guard position,” O’Brien said. “I’m very pleased and comfortable with her approach.”

The other freshmen are Melissa Chandler at 5-7 and Evelyn Weiser is 5-5.

“We have to take care of the ball, deal with the pressure and get into our offense without feeling like you’re going against an immovable object,” O’Brien said.

The Mustang coach believes his younger players would have beneftted from a year playing JV ball. Unfortunately, O’Brien just didn’t have the luxury.

“The three freshmen played eighth-grade basketball last year,” O’Brien explained. “That’s a huge step to go from eighth grade to varsity basketball. They continue to work on everything from day one.”

While this might be O’Brien’s frst year at Midd-West, the Selinsgrove native comes in very familiar with schools in the area. Mostly recently, he coached at Milton Junior High and helped out with the varsity. He also has served as a girls varsity assistant and JV coach at Selinsgrove.

He also coached at Shikellamy.

Back row, Assistant Coach Tori

die Bonsall, Head Coach Patrick O’Brien.

Midd-West assistant coach Tori Wolfe played at Line Mountain then continued with college ball at the Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport.

The Mustangs opened last season 0-6 before winning at Montgomery then dropped their fnal 15 games. The frst two games – a fve-point loss to East Juniata and a six-point defeat at Newport – were their closest defeats. Their aver-

age margin of defeat was 38 points.

Besides Midd-West, the six-team Division I in the Pennsylvania Heartland Athletic Conference includes Central Mountain, Danville, Jersey Shore, Selinsgrove and Shikellamy.

Midd-West girls basketball District 4 4A

Last year: 1-21, 0-10 Pennsylvania Heartland Athletic Conference Division I Coaches: Patrick O’Brien, head coach, frst year; Tori Wolfe, assistant coach.

MIDD-WEST WRESTLING

Boyer leading Mustangs into new season

BY GREG WILLIAMS Sentinel reporter

gwilliams@lewistownsentinel. com

MIDDLEBURG – MiddWest’s lineup logjam of talent is beginning to get sorted out as the Mustangs near the starting gate for the 2025-26 high school wrestling season.

First-year Midd-West head coach Tye Boyer has high expectations for the program despite not having wrestlers to compete at either 107 pounds or heavyweight.

“I think we’ll do fairly well,” said Boyer, who had a decorated wrestling career at Indian Valley High School and Division III Elizabethtown College. “We have some holes in our lineup.”

The Mustangs, who have only three seniors on their

roster, are also a relatively young bunch. The seniors are Charley Paige, Nolan DeLong and Steve Spigelmyer are expected to be stalwarts for a program that is coming off an ultra-successful 16-4 season. The Mustangs also posted a 4-1 mark in the Pennsylvania Heartland Athletic Conference Division I ranks.

Paige, a PIAA qualifer a year ago at 139 pounds, fnished fourth at the District 4 2A Wrestling Tournament and the consolation rounds at the PIAA Championships, just failing to reach the podium. Overall, he fnished 4211 with 16 falls and 10 technical falls.

“Charley has a goal of getting on that podium,” Boyer said. “I think when he fell short last year that really put a fre in him.”

DeLong went 2-13 a year

ago, while Spigelmyer ended up 1-2 with his only win via fall.

At 152, junior Evan Maneval went 29-17 and placed eighth at districts last year.

“Evan’s a tough kid,” Boyer said. “He wrestled a lot of freestyle over summer and I think he’s going to be very successful.”

Boyer also welcomes back a talented room of juniors, led by Mason Kerstetter who racked up a 37-13 record last year at 107. He recorded 12 falls.

Junior Jared Devine also put together an impressive campaign a year ago at 189.

He went 20-13 with 10 falls and placed ffth at Northeast Sectionals.

Rounding out the list of juniors are Barry Penepacker (6-21 at 285) and Aiden Rose (14-16 at 133).

Leading the list of tal-

ented sophomores vying for mat time is Lane Yount, who went 24-12 with 10 falls at 114 and 120-121. Other sophomores are: Colton Aumiller (4-2 at 145-152), Witten Carter (13-18 at 127), Dylan Klingler (3-5 at 113-114), Jackson Wray and Steven Yakamook.

“Lane is back after being

a regional qualifer,” Boyer added. “I look for him to be successful.”

Out of the frst time at the high school level are freshmen: Jiovaunni Drumheller, Max Trawitz and Ean Walter.

“Max is an athletic kid, with a lot of potential mov-

ing forward,” Boyer said.

While there might be a few holes to fll right now, Boyer is trying to create a different culture. So far, so good.

“The team is young, so we’re just trying to get the

Trojans bring young roster to the foor

BY DENNY SROKA Sports correspondent sports@lewistownsentinel.com

MT. UNION – The Mount Union girls’ basketball team will hit the foor with a roster of very young athletes excited about getting the season underway.

The Trojans lost four from their starting lineup last season and do not have a senior on the 2025-26 roster with just one junior returning.

The Trojans roster contains three letter winners returning from last season’s roster. There is one junior and three sophomores along with seven freshmen ready to go.

Haley Myers will be back at the helm of the Trojans in her ffth season.

The Trojans were in the 3A District 6 Tournament last spring as the seventh seed

Mustangs

Continued from Page 22

and competed against second-seeded Central Cambria where they were eliminated in the frst round.

Central Cambria went on to win the District 6 3A title and went to the quarter fnal round of the state tournament before losing to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. Of the 32 teams in the state bracket Central Cambria made it into the elite eight.

Assisting Myers again this season is Trish Grove and Dan Myers. Paytn Crisswell will lead the junior high program.

“This team has been working very hard, and they played together at the YMCA in Burnham this summer,” commented Myers. “They are enthusiastic and motivated to get better and continue to learn the system. They have energy on the foor, and it shows

in their high level of commitment everyday on the practice foor. We are working on many fundamental drills every day that will cut down on turnovers.”

“We’re starting practice with man-to-man defense and will introduce various

zone defenses as we progress,” Myers added. “Our offense will be motion and we will continue to work in other set ups adjusting to the schedule. We have height on the roster this

Lady Trojans hoops schedule

12/15 vs West Branch 5:30 p.m.

12/16 vs Claysburg 5:30 p.m.

kids to buy in,” Boyer said. “We’re defnitely going to have some success. The junior high numbers are up; we have more kids than we’ve ever had.”

At the same time, he is expecting this season to be a bit of a growing year. It’s tough to replace stalwarts like former Mustang 145-pounder Matt Smith, who committed to Division II Clarion.

“We want to win dual meets, but at the end of the day we also want to create a good environment,” Boyer said.

“I want to win dual meets, at the end of the day, create a good environment and be good mentors to these kids.”

“Having each kid succeed on and off the mat is what we’re focused on,” Boyer said. “We might fall short here and there because we’re missing a kid. But it becomes more than just winning matches.”

Sometimes victories don’t always appear on the scoreboard.

“We’ll get there,” Boyer said. “We’re not really focused necessarily on the winning and losing aspect. We want to win; losing isn’t fun. But our main focus is watching these kids’ success and taking it one match at a time.”

12/18 at Tussey 7:15 p.m.

12/22 at Northern Bedford 6 p.m.

12/27-28 at Lions Tournament (Juniata College)

1/02 at Penns Valley 6:30 p.m.

1/05 vs Northern Bedford 5:30 p.m.

1/12 at Claysburg 7:15 p.m.

1/15 vs Juniata Valley 5:30 p.m.

1/16 at West Branch 6 p.m.

1/20 vs Tussey 5:30 p.m.

1/22 at Southern Huntingdon 5:30 p.m.

1/26 vs Fannett-Metal 5:30 p.m.

1/28 vs Moshannon Valley 5:30 p.m.

1/29 vs Southern Huntingdon 5:30 p.m.

2/05 at Williamsburg 6 p.m.

2/10 vs Bellefonte 5:30 p.m.

HOCKENBROCK

Mt. Union bocce schedule

1/05 at Southern Huntingdon 4 p.m.

1/07 at Tyrone 4 p.m.

1/13 at Tussey 4 p.m.

1/21 vs Huntingdon 4 p.m.

2/02 vs Southern Huntingdon 4 p.m.

MT. UNION BOYS BASKETBALL

Young Trojans starting to get on same page

BY DENNY SROKA Sports correspondent sports@lewistownsentinel.com

MT. UNION – The Mount Union boys’ basketball team is expecting the experience and the six letter winners to improve over last season. The team is still young overall with just two seniors on roster, but the team overall has been working together for a couple of years now, and they are starting to get on the same page with Scott McClain’s offensive and defensive schemes.

“We have a good group of players that have worked together and are now a year older and stronger.” Said McClain. “We have players that are coming in from football and in good condition and we have a couple of injuries from football that will be coming back soon when they are 100 percent ready to play. We will not jeopardize anyone’s health and future.”

The Trojans roster has two seniors and fve juniors with fve sophomores and two freshmen on board including the six letter winners.

McCain will be starting his 10th season as head coach of the Trojans, fnishing the season last year at 10-13 to post a 108-99 overall career record. The Trojans made the District 6 playoffs last season, losing in the frst round to Penn Cambria.

Assisting McClain again this season is Ryan McClain and Isaiah Helton.

Both assistant coaches came through the Trojans basketball program. At the junior high-level Tony DeStadio and Brain Wertz will lead the program.

The Trojans worked this summer in a local pickup league with other area schools. They played about four or fve teams twice in the summer before school

Mt. Union’s boys basketball team, front row, from left, Damien Leonard, Savion Scott, Caison Scott, Brayden Richards, Messiah Madison, Kenyon Fortson, Rahmir Smith.

Back row, Ty Hooper, Nasir Collins, Jamon Ranck, Ethan Husler, Hussan Posey, Aspen Brumbaugh, Landon Brumbaugh.

and football started. Now that the offcial practice has started the Trojans have been working on conditioning to get into basketball shape. They also have been working on many fundamental drills trying to cut down on turnovers, which haunted them last season.

Junior Ty Hooper is a returning letter winner from last season that scored 160 points last season and went 18 of 28 from the foul line. Hooper will run the offense this season mostly at the point and is expected to score both inside and from outside.

Junior letter winner Naz Collins is not back on the foor yet from football and is an all-around athlete that can play anywhere. Collins scored 96 points last sea-

son and shot 11-44 from the charity strip. He mostly worked inside for the Trojans last season.

Junior letter winner

Hussan Posey is a good ball handler that will work from the wing this season but can play anywhere. He scored 143 points last season and was 22 of 62 from the foul line.

Jamon Ranck is a junior letter winner that has a good outside shot. Ranck scored well after getting back on the foor last season, working 17 games. He gives 110 percent all the time and can play anywhere.

Sophomore Caison Scott is a returning letter winner that has a good defensive game and scored in transition last year off steals. He scored 141 points last sea-

son and was 15 of 32 from the foul line. He will see duty out front this season along with playing from the wing.

Sophomore Brayden Richards is a returning letter winner that has become stronger and has been working on conditioning. He is starting to understand the defense better and will become quicker as he continues to pick it up.

“I think the team overall is stronger this season coming into practice,” added McClain.

“They are a year older coming in from football and working over the summer has them in good condition. I think that they will be a more physical team this season. It looks like they are shooting better, and the

game is starting to slow down for the younger players. The team has a couple of players with size this season that we will shift in and out of the line up.”

“In the Inter-County Conference the Rockets and the Titans are always tough teams to play along with Juniata Valley,” said McClain.

“Our goal is to become more consistent and stay out of foul trouble. We want to be on top of the ICC East and get a better seed in the playoffs, so we do not face a top seed in the frst round like in the past. Foul shooting is an area upon which we must improve.”

MT. UNION WRESTLING

Trojans return four letterwinners and new head coach

BY DENNY SROKA Sports correspondent sports@lewistownsentinel.com

MT. UNION – The Mount Union wrestling squad came into practice this season with a new head coach and a little different approach to getting the team ready for the 2025-26 campaign. The Trojans posted a 9-8 record last winter. The Trojans 12-man roster consists of four seniors, one junior, fve sophomores and two freshmen.

Bryce Beatty is the new head coach of the Trojans wrestling program. Beatty graduated from Mount Union with an impressive record while he wrestled there. He fnished his career at Mount Union with 113 wins and just 33 losses over his four years in the program. In 2019 Beatty was third at the District Six level and ffth at regionals qualifying for the state tournament. In 2020 he was one match from the state tournament in Hershey and then in 2021 he was a sectional champion and fnished ffth at Hershey.

At Mount Union, Beatty earned three varsity letters in track as a distance runner and four letters in cross

Hoops

Continued from Page 23

season so we can expand our setup on both sides of the ball.”

The Trojans lost six letterwinners to graduation last spring that made up most of the Trojans starting lineup. Maddie Dimoff will be hard to replace. Dimoff played hard for four quarters of every game and ended the season second in the county rankings behind Lily Fiscus of Huntingdon. Dimoff scored 326 points in the 2024-25 season and went 54 of 82 from the foul line in 22 games. Cailyn Skopic

Mt. Union’s wrestling team, front row, from left, Kamden Beatty, Braxton Price, Tyler Younker, Jake Morgan, Henry Petron. Back row, Chase Clark, Daniel Hartman, Jacik Hess, Coty Heidel, Kaden Thompson, Andrew Ryan, Rowan McClain-Hartman.

country for consistent performance. He moved on to Millersville University, graduating with a degree in Business Administration. While he was at Millersville, he ended his wrestling career with 60 plus

wins and fourth in Millersville history in technical falls. He placed twice in regionals and was a division II national qualifer. In returning to Mount Union, he now spends his time working in the insurance

business and becoming the head coach of the Trojans.

“I am happy to come back and coach at Mount Union,” commented Beatty. “We have an excellent group of wrestlers that are very coachable and work

extremely hard. They are a little underrated and they have an excellent work ethic. We have new faces, and we will see wrestlers turn out a good season.”

“They have been working hard in the off season

to get ready for the upcoming season,” added Beatty. “Our practices are a little different with the system that I learned at Millersville. One day we work on

had an excellent game on both sides of the ball. Her defense will be missed with numerous steals last season. Skopic ended the season fourth in the county with 254 points. She made 33 of 55 free throws in 21 games.

The Trojans have three letterwinners returning from last season that played different roles in the Trojans lineup. The lone junior letterwinner on the team is Olivia Morgan. Morgan appeared in 19 games last season playing inside and is emerging as a team leader. Sophomore letterwinner Lily House participated in 21 games last season and demonstrated strong defen-

sive skills as a freshman working her way into the starting lineup. She averaged 2.8 points per game and plays at an extremely high energy level.

Sophomore Alexia Cook lettered last season as a freshman for her ability to come off the bench and maintain the Trojans fow on the foor. Cook played in 18 games last season and shows more improvement this season. Cook knows the game and will gain confdence as the season progresses.

The Trojans goals are very much like in the past seasons. First, they want to become a solid unit in both offense and defense. They are young, but with the desire that they show, they could cause a lot of trouble in the ICC East and be looking at a playoff spot.

The Trojans match up in the ICC East against an always tough Southern Huntingdon and a tough Tussey Mountain squad. The Trojans also face Northern Bedford and Claysburg-Kimmel in the East with two games with each team.

It is early in the season, and the Trojans are hoping that these girls will continue to help the younger players and step up into a team leadership role.

JUNIATA CHRISTIAN BOYS BASKETBALL

Lions hunt for the win column in 2025-26

BY LIV SUYDAM

Sentinel reporter

osuydam@lewistownsentinel.com

MCALISTERVILLE–

The Lions are preparing to learn from the past and focus on the future as they gear up for another season.

At the end of the 20242025 season the Juniata Christian boys basketball team fnished out with a 0-22 record after a hard fought season.

Fortunately, the young team lost no seniors and have six returning players as well as a number of new players joining to improve skill and record.

“We’ve focused a lot early in the season on fundamentals and getting our newer players integrated into learning our offensive and defensive strategies,” explained head coach, Austin Stong.

Stong is joined by assistant coach Jonathan Lara and together they will be “(building) upon a lot of the growing pains from last year and improve as the season goes along” according to Stong.

This season, four seniors will take the court, two of which are returning and already assuming leadership roles on the court.

“Our two returning seniors have already stepped up into some of that responsibility but all six returning players from last year will play a part in getting the new players up to speed,” shared Stong.

According to Stong, strengths this year will include speed with a focus on utilizing that skill as roster numbers begin to increase.

As the boys prepare for another tough season, they plan to take special care to prepare for a few expected ferce competitors.

“Northumberland, Meadowbrook and Columbia County have led the

Juniata Christian boys basketball team, front row, from left, Elijah Erdman, Jeovani Steven, Julian Flores de Valgaz, Jordan Lara, Adam Hoover, Austin Shearer.

Second row, Mitch Auker, Hunter Shaferman, Hudson Stong, Troy Hoover, Elijah Steven, Noah Stong, Logan Lantz.

way the last few seasons in our league but all teams in our division are well coached and present their own unique challenges,” Stong explained. “Ultimately we want to play hard and honor God with all we do on and off the court.”

The Lions will face Fairfeld Area High School in their next matchup on Dec. 15.

2/12 vs Fannett-Metal 6 p.m.

2/13 at Norry Christian 7:30 p.m.

JUNIATA CHRISTIAN GIRLS BASKETBALL

Lions want more scoring contributors this year

BY LIV SUYDAM Sentinel reporter osuydam@lewistownsentinel.com

MCALISTERVILLE–

The Juniata Christian girls basketball team will be back in action this winter coming off a 1-10 record at the conclusion of the 20242025 season.

“Most of our games will probably be pretty tough for us again this year,” explained head coach Maggie Shafferman. “I’m hoping we can continue to learn from each challenge.”

Shafferman will be assisted by Katie Sellers and Natalie Weller as the trio guides the girls through a successful season.

Despite losing once senior at the end of last year, the team will look towards this season’s senior, Natalie Hoffman to “provide an encouraging presence for the team.”

Other leaders on the court will be junior Rachel Hoover, who is expected to “push the team to hustle and work hard,” according to Shafferman.

Through hard work and determination, the Lady Lions plan to focus on solid basketball fundamentals for this year and stretch each player’s court awareness while deepening their understanding of the game.

“I’m looking forward to seeing noticeable growth from last year on the court and in the team’s maturity in their decision making,” explained Shafferman.

However, the young team expects some challenges as they incorporate new team members who are new to the game of basketball.

“I would like to see more members of our team score and see each player continue to understand and excel in their strengths,” shared Shafferman.

Strengths this season will be passing and player

Juniata Christian girls basketball team, front row, from left, Isabella Swartz, Jane Fisher, Rachel Hoover, Aspen Hoffman.

Second row, Neleh Hair, Natalie Hoffman, Darcy Zimmerman, Elliana Varner, Irene Peachey.

and ball movement as the girls work hard to improve their record from last year.

The Lady Lions are back in action on Dec. 16 facing off with Belleville CHristian School.

JCS girls hoops

12/16 at Belleville

Christian 6 p.m.

12/19 vs Columbia

County 6 p.m.

1/05 vs Calvary

Christian 5:30 p.m.

1/09 vs Meadowbrook

6 p.m.

1/13 at Walnut St.

5:30 p.m.

1/15 vs Great

Commission 6 p.m.

1/16 vs Grace Prep

5:30 p.m.

1/20 vs Norry Christian

6 p.m.

1/23 vs Belleville

Christian 6 p.m.

1/29 vs Carlisle

Christian 6 p.m.

2/03 at Columbia

County 6 p.m.

2/06 vs Walnut St.

6 p.m.

2/10 at Meadowbrook

6 p.m.

2/13 at Norry Christian

6 p.m.

BELLEVILLE CHRISTIAN BOYS BASKETBALL

Yoder, Peachey lead Thunder charge on court

BY GREG WILLIAMS Sentinel reporter gwilliams@lewistownsentinel.com

BELLEVILLE – A little glitz and glamor never hurt anyone, which is why the Belleville Christian School Thunder dialed up a professional photographer and some marketing fare for this year’s team photo.

Sixth-year head coach Chase Peachey believes this could be the best Thunder squad he’s had to date. Only time will tell.

“We got a little bit of length inside with Colin Hartzler,” Peachey said of his 6-3 junior forward. “He’s active on the boards, and he can block some shots.”

Belleville Christian’s leading scorer – junior forward Grant Yoder – also returns. “He plays a goodstretch four position,” Peachey said. “He gets a lot of layups inside, and also he can step out and hit a lot of threes.”

There’s also that much-needed quickness with senior Bryson Peachey and sophomore Devin Yoder. A 5-10 guard, Peachey is the Thunder’s strongest on-ball defender.

“He has quick hands and positions himself well,” his coach said about his play. “He took a lot of charges for us last year.”

Devin Yoder came in and earned a spot in the starting lineup as a freshman last year. Peachey hopes the young player can build on that success, continuing to improve his game.

“I expect Devin to run the point position fulltime,” he said. “He really came into his own.”

The foor general will have a lot of impact on whether the Thunder can improve on last year’s 6-15 mark.

One player who the Thunder can’t count on

this season is sophomore

Bailey Armstrong, a 6-1 forward who suffered a season-ending injury. “His injury will hurt our depth in the frontcourt this year,” Peachey said.

Vying for varsity time will be senior Dakota Gibbons, a 5-10 forward; junior Ethan Renno, a 5-10 guard; and junior Landon Rhodes, a 5-10 guard.

Rounding out the Thunder roster are: sophomores Ian Kauffman and Landon Yoder, a 5-10 forward and 5-9 guard; and freshman Cade Yoder, a 5-9 guard.

Peachey also likes the speed he has up and down his roster. “We can put a lot of speed on the perimeter, and defensive pressure on the perimeter,” he explained.

“We will look to score a lot in transition, and feed off of our defense,” Peachey added.

The veteran coach believes Columbia County Christian will be the team to beat in the Allegheny Christian Athletic Association. Peachey hopes the Thunder will be in the mix.

“I expect us to be there for the conference tournament,” he said.

The top three teams in each division – Eastern and Western – qualify for the ACAA tourney. Besides Belleville Christian, the seven-team East circuit consists of Columbia County Christian, Grace Prep, Walnut Street Christian, Northumberland Christian, Meadowbrook Christian and Juniata

Christian.

Belleville Christian boys basketball District 6 A

Last year: 6-15, 4-6 Allegheny Christian Athletic Association

Coaches: Chase Peachey, head coach, sixth year; Nate Metzler and Mike Ammon, assistant coaches

Thunder schedule

12/12 at Walnut St. 7 p.m.

12/15 at Harrisburg 7 p.m.

12/16

1/19 vs Ferndale 6 p.m.

1/23 at Juniata Christian 7:30 p.m.

1/24 at Blacklick Valley TBA

1/27 vs Walnut St. 7 p.m.

1/30 at Juniata TBA

1/31 vs Johnstown Christian 2 p.m.

2/03 vs Meadowbrook 7:30 p.m.

2/06 at Columbia County 7:30 p.m.

1/13 vs Columbia County 6:45 p.m.

1/16 at Norry Christian 7:30 p.m.

2/09 vs Newport 7 p.m.

2/10 vs Grace Prep 7:30 p.m. 2/13 at Fannet-Metal 7:30 p.m.

BELLEVILLE CHRISTIAN GIRLS BASKETBALL

New faces hit the court for Thunder hoops

BY GREG WILLIAMS Sentinel reporter gwilliams@lewistownsentinel.com

BELLEVILLE – Brian Renno spent almost as much time learning the new faces on the Belleville Christian School roster as he did installing a new offense.

Both give the Thunder plenty of reason to be optimistic about the upcoming girls basketball season.

“Eleven is the most I’ve had in the fve years that I’ve been associated with the girls team,” Renno explained. “I think we have a decent mix.”

Renno also has a new assistant in former Belleville product Kaytlin Young.

The Thunder also return four starters of last year’s squad, which went 8-14 overall and 5-7 in the Allegheny Christian Athletic Association.

Belleville will count on the leadership of its three seniors – all starters – Angie Weaver, Elaina Peachey and Lily Yoder. The trio are all stand at 5-5 or 5-6 and all play guard.

Wrestling

Continued from Page 25

arms and another on legs. We work on mind set and mental recognition. Remembering what you have learned is key to becoming a good wrestler. The practices are very disciplined with little distractions.”

Beatty has a good team of coaches behind him with Caleb Cramer on board and a cast of volunteers including Billy Dubler, Josh Boozel, Andrew Todaro, Josh Kirsck and Ryan Wilson. At the junior high level Derek Tress is the head coach, with Dylan Knable and volunteering is Andrew Tress. The four letter winners

While there aren’t any juniors on the Thunder

returning are senior Kam Beatty that fnished the season with a 21-15 record last season. Kam has worked hard in the off season, and the Trojans expect him to improve this season. Kam was eighth in the District 6 Tournament twice.

Senior Jacik Hess had a 28-12 record last season for the Trojans. In 2022-23 he was a District 6 runner-up. He was seventh in the district twice. Hess is 15 wins away from 100.

Rowan McClain-Hartman is a senior that went 32-8 last season. He wants to build off that this season and had a good summer tournament run. In 2024-25 he placed second at the District 6 Tournament. He is a hard-working

roster, the three sophomores are Katelyn Renno, a 5-7 forward, who started last year; Emma Kauffman, a 5-8 forward; and Jocelyn Hays, a 5-5 guard.

wrestler with an excellent work ethic.

Andrew Ryan is a senior letter winner that is expected to have a good season this year showing improvement. He worked hard in the off season in preparation for the 2025-26 season ahead.

All four Trojan letter winners have the potential of being state qualifers this season.

“The Trojans team goals are to win the ICC Tournament and get 10 dual wins this season”, said Beatty. “I would like to see 10 in the top 10 at the District 6 Tournament. I would love to get three wrestlers to the state tournament and qualify for team state duals and get a dual win at that level.”

There are fve freshmen out this winter: Abby Yoder, a 5-9 forward; Alayna Peachey, a 5-3 guard; Eleanor Druckenmiller, a 5-5 guard; Hailey Zook, a 5-6 guard; and Izzy Weaver, a 5-3 guard.

Renno’s hopes the game savvy of his seniors will carry the Thunder until their fve freshmen gain some experience playing at the varsity level.

“We’re pleased to have the three seniors back,” Renno said. “They certainly bring leadership to team, and the freshmen will defnitely be a vital part of the squad, We appreciate the experience that the seniors got last year as far as game experience for them and understanding key situa-

tions and game situations that was very benefcial for them last year.”

Renno believes the Thunder’s strengths this year will be that returning experience as well as their growth in numbers.

“I feel any nine of the 11 could be a starter,” Renno said. “Depending on how the preseason goes, there could be some real competition for playing time.

“That is something that BCS has not seen at the girls level in numerous years,” Renno added. “The numbers should help us, bringing in two, three, four off the bench and not lose that quality on the foor.”

At the same, freshmen are new to the varsity and Renno realizes there might be some growing pains.

“With fve freshmen coming in and them need-

ing that varsity experience, we are relying on that class,” Renno said. “It usually takes half a season for them to catch up to the speed of playing at the varsity level.”

How fast players learn the Xs and Os from the new playbook will determine where Belleville fnishes in the standings.

“We have new offensive sets, and how we catch on will be important,” he added.

Despite having three taller playoffs, Renno said teams can never have enough size. “I’d like to have some more size,” he explained. “We’re not a tall team. When we get up against some of the larger single A schools, size could be an issue for us.”

WINTER SPORTS

Pictured is the Mifin County cheer team from left to right, front to back, Kendra Royer, Lilly Tower, Kayla McTavish, Morgan Sheetz, Hailey Freed, Jaliyah Henry, Isabella Pecht, Jazlynn Henry.

Second row, Alaina Chilson, Jordyn Romig, Brooklyn Hook, Sayuri Clark, Kinsley Yocum, Hannah Johnson, Ally Kahley.

Back row, Abigail Baumgardner, Jersey Porta, Giuliana Torres, Kiersten Parks, Adelaide Rohan,Kaidense Conner, Ella Kaufman.

MT. UNION BOYS BASKETBALL

12/12 at McConnellsburg 7 p.m.

12/15 at Claysburg 7 p.m.

12/17 vs Penns Valley 7 p.m.

12/19 vs Tussey 7 p.m.

12/22 vs Northern Bedford 7 p.m.

12/23 at Bald Eagle 7 p.m.

12/27-28 at Huntingdon Lions Tournament, TBD

1/05 at Northern Bedford 7 p.m.

1/06 at Huntingdon 7 p.m.

1/09 vs Southern Huntingdon 7 p.m.

1/13 vs Claysburg 7 p.m.

1/16 at Juniata Valley 7 p.m.

1/19 at Tussey 7 p.m.

1/22 vs West Branch 7 p.m.

1/27 at Fannett-Metal 6 p.m.

1/28 at Moshannon Valley 7 p.m.

1/30 at Southern Huntingdon 7 p.m.

2/06 vs Williamsburg 7 p.m.

1/12

1/13

1/16

1/24

1/27

1/30

1/31 vs Johnstown Christian 12:30 p.m.

2/03 vs Meadowbrook 6 p.m.

2/06 at Columbia County 6 p.m.

2/09 vs Newport 5:30 p.m.

2/10 vs Grace Prep 5:30 p.m. 2/13 at Fannett Metal 6:15 p.m.

In the ACAA, Renno believes Columbia County Christian School, Northumberland Christian School and Meadowbrook Christian School are all contenders.

“Columbia County Christian has some strong athletes on their squad, Northumberland Christian has some underclassmen who are formidable and Meadowbrook seems like they are just reloading from one year to the next,” Renno said. “Those three will be the strongest. Juniata Christian School seems to be putting the pieces together.”

Rounding out the seven-team Eastern Division are Grace Prep High School and Walnut Street

Christian School.

“I feel like throughout the summer, we focused on building team chemistry with the freshmen,” Renno said. “That’s a big part of what we’ll be working on in the preseason, especially with four returning starters and fve incoming freshmen.

“We want to be building unity and understand our strengths and weaknesses, Renno added. “That will determine whether we’ll be successful.”

hour or two

Belleville Christian girls basketball District 6A

Last year: 8-14, 5-7 Allegheny Christian Athletic Association

Coaches: Brian Renno, head coach, ffth year; Kaytlin Young, assistant coach.

Mifflin County wrestling

12/11 vs Central Dauphin 7 p.m.

12/18 at Cedar Cliff 7 p.m.

12/19-20 at Central Mtn. 11 a.m.

12/27 at Conestoga 11:30 a.m.

12/28 at Conestoga 10:30 a.m.

1/03 at Elizabethtown TBA

1/07 vs Midd-West 7 p.m.

1/15 at Gettysburg 7 p.m.

1/17 at Chambersburg 11 a.m.

1/22 vs Cumberland Valley 7 p.m.

1/23-24 at West Branch TBA

1/28 vs State College 7 p.m.

2/05 vs CD East 6 p.m.

Mifflin County girls basketball

12/10 vs Milton Hershey

7 p.m.

12/12 at Red Land 7 p.m.

12/13 vs Lewisburg 3:30 p.m.

12/16 vs Hershey 7 p.m.

12/19 at Cedar Cliff 5:15 p.m.

12/22 vs Palmyra 7 p.m.

12/23 vs Carlisle 7 p.m.

12/27 at Mifflinburg 2:30 p.m.

12/30 vs Central Mtn. 7 p.m.

1/05 at Lower Dauphin

7 p.m.

1/08 vs Mechanicsburg

7 p.m.

1/13 at Milton Hershey

7 p.m.

1/16 vs Red Land 7 p.m.

Mifflin County bocce

12/10 at S. Huntingdon 4 p.m.

12/17 vs Juniata 3:30 p.m.

1/07 at Halifax 3:30 p.m.

1/13 at Susquenita 3:30 p.m.

1/20 vs West Perry 3:30 p.m.

1/29 at Juniata 3:30 p.m.

2/04 vs Halifax 3:30 p.m.

2/07 at Big Spring 8 a.m.

2/11 vs Susquenita 3:30 p.m.

2/12 at West Perry 3:30 p.m.

Mifflin County bowling 12/12 vs Hazleton 3:30 p.m.

12/19 at Milton 3:30 p.m.

1/06 at Hazleton 3:30 p.m.

1/30 vs Milton 3:30 p.m.

1/17 at River Valley 1:15 p.m.

1/21 at Hershey 7 p.m.

1/23 vs Cedar Cliff 7 p.m.

1/27 at Palmyra 7 p.m.

1/30 vs Lower Dauphin 7 p.m.

2/03 at Mechanicsburg 5:30 p.m.

2/10 vs State College 7 p.m.

2/12 vs S. Huntingdon 7 p.m.

Mifflin County indoor track

12/20 at Dickinson College TBA

1/10 at Penn St. TBA

1/25 at Franklin & Marshall TBA

2/01 at Bucknell TBA

2/12 at Penn St. TBA

WINTER SPORTS

Midd-West’s bowling team, front row, from left, Madison Herrold, Tyler Haines, Calvin Gilligbauer, Gage Herb, Rowen Kuhns, Brady Dunkle, Westin Kuhns, David Disidoro. Back, Assistant Coach Laura Elliott, Wyatt Rice, Caden Phillips, Carson Hill, Owen Swartz, Coltyn Bickel, Caden Staufer, Head Coach Chris Houtz.

Mifflin County boys basketball

12/10 at Milton Hershey

7 p.m.

12/12 vs Red Land 7 p.m.

12/13 vs Lewisburg 6:30 p.m.

12/16 at Hershey 7 p.m.

12/19 at Cedar Cliff 7 p.m.

12/22 at Palmyra 7 p.m.

12/29 vs Midd-West 7 p.m.

1/05 vs Lower Dauphin 7 p.m.

1/08 vs Mechanicsburg 5:30 p.m.

1/13 vs Milton Hershey

7 p.m.

1/16 at Red Land 7 p.m.

1/21 vs Hershey 7 p.m.

1/23 vs Cedar Cliff 5:15 p.m.

1/27 vs Palmyra 7 p.m.

1/29 at Selinsgrove

7:30 p.m.

1/30 at Lower Dauphin

7 p.m.

2/03 at Mechanicsburg

7 p.m.

2/09 vs Altoona 7 p.m.

2/11 at Bellefonte 7 p.m. East Juniata girls basketball 12/10 vs Midd-West 7:30 p.m.

12/12at Newport 7:30 p.m.

12/15 vs St. Joe’s 6:30 p.m.

12/18atGreenwood 7:30 p.m.

12/20atForbes Rd 3:30 p.m.

12/27 vs BCS 5:30 p.m.

1/05 vs York Country 6 p.m.

1/08atMillersburg 7:30 p.m.

1/10 at Juniata 5 p.m. 1/12vsSusquenita 7:30 p.m.

1/15 at Line Mtn. 7:30 p.m.

1/19 vs UDA 6:30 p.m.

1/22 vs Newport 7:30 p.m.

1/24 vs Bellefonte 12 p.m.

1/26 at St. Joe’s 6 p.m.

1/29 vs Norry 7:30 p.m.

1/30vsGreenwood7:30 p.m.

2/02 at CMVT 7:30 p.m.

2/05 vsMifflinburg 7:30 p.m.

2/07 vs Juniata 7 p.m.

Juniata boys basketball

12/11 vs St. Joe’s 7:30 p.m.

12/16 at Greenwood 7:30 p.m.

12/18 vs Line Mtn. 7:30 p.m.

12/23 vs West Perry 7:30 p.m.

12/29 vs Lancaster, at Halifax Candy Cane Classic, 4:30 p.m.

12/30 at Halifax Candy Cane Classic, TBA

1/05 vs Meadowbrook 7:30 p.m.

1/08 at UDA 7:30 p.m.

1/10 vs East Juniata 7 p.m.

1/12 vs Halifax 7:30 p.m.

1/15 at Millersburg 7:30 p.m.

1/20 vs Newport 7:30 p.m.

1/23 at St. Joe’s 7:30 p.m.

1/26 vs Greenwood 7:30 p.m.

1/29 at Susquenita 7:30 p.m.

1/30 vs Belleville Christian 7 p.m.

2/02 at Penns Valley 7:30 p.m.

2/04 at Midd-West 7:30 p.m.

2/07 at East Juniata 5 p.m.

Juniata girls wrestling

12/15 at Sugar Valley 6:15 p.m.

12/17 at Newport 6 p.m.

1/04 Juniata Duals 9 a.m.

1/14 vs Line Mtn. 6 p.m.

1/17-18 Juniata Individual Tournament 9 a.m.

1/21 at UDA 6 p.m., vs Tri-Valley 6:30 p.m. (at UDA)

1/24 at Bald Eagle 9:15 a.m.

2/01 at Upper Dauphin 9 a.m.