SPRINT TO 3,000 STILL ON: Because Malia Tate-DeFreitas is collecting more than 35 points per game, most were wondering why Steel-High's top-notch scoring threat was missing from Tuesday's 70-61 Mid-Penn Capital Division win over Susquenita? Merely a precaution.
Rollers coach Jeff Chisholm said he decided to rest MTD after the 5-9 Hampton recruit took a small “shot” to her knee against Northern last week. Tate-DeFreitas' pursuit of 3,000 career points will resume Friday when division-leading Steel-High hosts Capital No. 2 West Perry at Marty Benkovic Gymnasium.
WILDCATS LOOKING AHEAD: While there's no immediate danger of Mechanicsburg missing the postseason, Clay McAllister and his 'Cats have a real chance at locking down that all-important District 3 bid in the hours ahead.
Sitting 17th in the latest power ratings – the Top 20 qualify in 3-AAAA – Cecily Carl, Hannah Brown and the Wildcats will entertain road games at Palmyra, Waynesboro and Trinity in the next seven days. With a favorable schedule down the stretch, a 2-1 run through that maze would just about do it.
HOT STREAKS GALORE: Manheim Twp. continues to rampage through L-L Section I as the Blue Streaks (10-3, 10-0) sacked Conestoga Valley 61-17 Tuesday. That's 43 straight league wins and counting.
Next on the docket for Streaks top scorers Alex Leslie and Alex Ross is Section II upstart Solanco (10-5). … Bible Baptist point guard Mikala Brinson is working on three straight games of scoring at least 20 points. Brinson puts that run on the line Friday at CCAC-West foe Covenant Christian. …
Since that dogged 29-23 loss to Abington Heights on Dec. 7, Wilson has run off 12 straight wins wins. Only Cardinal O'Hara, more than a month ago, has posted more than 45 points on the Dogs since.
A NOD TO BURTON-JONES: Because half of midstate voters thought Jalynn Burton-Jones should have at least shared Player of the Week honors, let's revisit what Middletown's ace achieved last week.
While the Blue Raiders were chalking up two wins in three sessions, Burton-Jones produced 18, 24 and 25 points in those battles. Her 24 points came in a 52-38 loss to Camp Hill. At 17.2 points per game, Burton-Jones currently ranks seventh in midstate scoring.
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