MIFFLINTOWN - It was a senior night to remember for Juniata's Kaitlyn Rhine and Hannah Knepp as the Indians edged Lancaster Country Day 56-25 to clinch the Tri-Valley League title.
"It was really nice to be able to clinch the TVL on senior night," Juniata coach Meghan Geedey said.
"It feels great. I'm so happy for the girls. They have put in a ton of hard work in season and out of season, and it's just wonderful to see their hard work pay off in such a big way."
In the contest, three Indians put up double-digits as Victoria Varner led the way with her game-high 21 points, Maddie Zendt finished with 15 and Joelle Winey contributed 12.
The Indians have one week left of regular-season play before entering the District 6 tournament, and Geedey is hoping to see her team work on its defense in preparation for the high caliber teams it is likely to face in the playoffs.
"We'll continue to practice as hard as we've been practicing all year long. We'll try to pick out some of our weaknesses to key in on here this week."
Geedey said she is also hoping to see injured starter Carly Burns get some time back on the floor this week.
Juniata (18-2, 14-0) hosts Halifax today.
Boys basketball
Juniata 63, Lancaster Country Day 48
MIFFLINTOWN - The Juniata boys got their second Tri-Valley League win Saturday when they topped Lancaster Country Day, 63-48.
The Indians built a strong lead going into the second half with the score at 28-11, and t were able to ride out a Lancaster Country Day 37-point second-half surge for the win.
"A couple different times (Lancaster Country Day) had the lead cut down to single-digits," Juniata coach Nathan Geibel said.
Leading the way for Juniata was Justin Mingle, who hit seven field goals and went 9-for-10 from the line to earn a game-high 23 points.
"It's the best game I've seen Justin play at the varsity level this year," Geibel said.
Juniata (3-17, 2-10) travels to Newport today.
Shamokin 72, Midd-West 61
MIDDLEBURG - The Mustangs were hitting many of their shots against Heartland Conference opponent Shamokin on Saturday, but after some key turnovers and weak perimeter defense in the first half, fell to the Indians, 72-61.
Andrew Karchner hit six field goals and a free throw to lead the Mustangs with 15 points.
Shamokin's Austin Stine led both teams in scoring with 22 points.
In JV action, the Indians again took the win with a final score of 39-16.
Midd-West (3-17, 0-15) gets back in action when it hosts Mifflinburg on Wednesday.
Swimming
Midd-Penn Conference Championships
MECHANICSBURG - This past weekend Evan Becker, Zack Bonson, Sarah Bonson and Megan Becker did what only an elite few Mid-Penn Conference swimmers were able to do this season - they competed in the Mid-Penn Conference Swimming and Diving Championships.
Open only to those who had a top 32 seed and swam a qualifying time, the championship was held at Cumberland Valley High School on Saturday.
Sarah Bonson's 16th place finish in the 500 yard freestyle was the highest any of the four Huskies were able to place.
"I think they were very nervous," Mifflin County coach Connie Welch said. "A few of them felt a little off their game, but they made it there. It's a big deal, and they should be very proud of their performances."
Welch said a highlight for Mifflin County was when Zack Bonson took five seconds off his previous personal best record.
Sarah Bonson and Megan Becker are seniors, so they won't be back next year, but Welch took a lot of encouragement out of the way Zack Bonson, a freshman, and Evan Becker, a sophomore, competed at the event.
"Evan and Zack will go back, definitely. They'll go back, and they'll be more experience for having been there this year," Welch said, explaining that she hopes next year the Huskies can take more than four to the meet.
Junior high
Wrestling
Juniata finished second place at the Newport Junior High tournament on Saturday. Place-winners for Juniata included Noah Zarkoich, Payne Shirk, Carson Horning, Teagan Miller, Gerald Clark, Tyler Feltman, Zach Snyder, Chase Brown, Austin Weaver, Darren Richardson, Fletcher Hart, Josh Huentequeo, Koby Benner, Jared Heister, Cole Kellison, Levi Hampton, Seth Rowe, Jason Apple, Garrett Gabel, Blake Armes, Ryan Sheilds, Gage Druckenmiller, Wade Moore, Darin Love, Nathan Foltz, Evan Renninger, Derick Lamb and Tyler Baker.
Juniata has a perfect record in the Tri-Valley League.
