WAYNESBORO–The Waynesboro Area Senior High School varsity boys’ basketball team knew going into Tuesday night’s Mid-Penn Colonial Division showdown against Norther York that the Polar Bears – with the exception of the Indians’ lone loss against Cumberland Valley – represented their most challenging opponent.
Waynesboro wasn’t disappointed.
In a game that saw Northern York hold Waynesboro to 16 points in the second half and outscoring the Tribe 16-8 in the fourth quarter, head coach Tom Hoffman’s team somehow held off a furious rally in the waning seconds during which Waynesboro missed crucial free throws and the Polar Bears drew closer with a three-point field goal.
In the end, the Indians remained perfect in the division and improved to 14-1 overall with a thrilling 46-44 victory in Dillsburg.
Waynesboro led 13-10 after the first quarter and put some distance between the teams when the Indians outscored Northern 17-9 in the second period to take a 30-19 lead at halftime.
Any hopes for another rout were dashed in the second half as the Polar Bears pulled closer and closer until they ran out of time.
Waynesboro, which won another low-scoring game in the first meeting against Northern, 43-29, and has been bolstered by three-point baskets, shot just 3 of 14 from the three-point arc and were 15 for 28 from two-point territory. The Indians also struggled from the free throw line, making 7 of 14 from the line.
Jaylon Bean finished with a team-high 18 points, while Ryan Shaffer had 13 points and Tanyon Shaull tallied 10 points.
Bean grabbed eight rebounds and Shaffer had six boards and four blocked shots. Shaull also had six rebounds and swatted away two shots.
Waynesboro next plays Friday in a Pack the House Night game at the WASHS gym. There will be four games played consecutively, with the junior varsity girls tipping off at 3:15 p.m. and followed by the JV boys, varsity girls and varsity boys.
SWIMMING
At Newville, the Waynesboro boys’ and girls’ swim teams defeated host Big Spring. The Maidens ran their record to 7-0 with a 95-73 win, while the Indians are now 6-1 after winning 95-81.
GIRLS
Waynesboro got off to a good start against the Lady Bulldogs by winning the 200 yard medley relay event in a time of 2:01.33. Combining for the win were Emma Swanson, Belle Hess, Eve Phillips and Brenna Naddeo.
Mya Beck followed up with a first-place finish in the 200 freestyle with a time of 2:09.91. Maddy Stoops placed second to give the Maidens a one-two finish.
Phillips then raced to a 200 individual medley win (2:25.12). Swanson won the 50 freestyle in 27.10, while Naddeo was second just .36 seconds behind her teammate.
Big Spring picked up points in the diving events, but the Maidens were able to minimize the damage for not having divers as Phillips won her second event of the meet, this time the 100 butterfly (1:00.00).
Waynesboro continued its dominance in the individual events when Beck won the 100 freestyle (57.86).
Big Spring won the 500 freestyle, and Waynesboro responded with a win in the 200 freestyle relay (1:50.92).
The Bulldogs seized first place in the 100 backstroke, but the Maidens managed to garner second (Naddeo) and third (Stoops).
Hess then won the 100 breaststroke (1:21.11) and Phillips, Addi Callaway, Stoops and Beck teamed up to win the 400 freestyle relay in 4:02.32.
BOYS
Big Spring captured first place in the 200 medley relay, and the Bulldogs also won the 200 freestyle. Waynesboro claimed second and third, with Aiden Hess and Cello Dimino placing second and third, respectively.
JB Bonner gave Waynesboro a win as he took first place in the 200 individual medley in a time of 2:15.93. Gabe Blake placed second.
Brenner McIlquham grabbed the top spot in the 50 freestyle (24.80), while teammates Owen Shockey and Nathan Nolan finished the sweep with second and third.
Hess outlasted Big Spring in the 100 butterfly, finishing in 1:04.47. McIlquham added a 100 freestyle win to his 50 freestyle win with a time of 56.18.
Bonner won his second evet with a first in the 500 freestyle with a time of 5:22.15.
Blake, McIlquham, Hess and Bonner teamed up to win the 200 freestyle relay (1:40.82).
Blake won the 100 backstroke (1:05.05).
The Bulldogs finished one-two in the 100 breaststroke, but the Indians answered with a win in the 400 freestyle relay with the foursome of Bonner, Blake, Hess and McIlquham.
Waynesboro will host Boiling Springs next Tuesday in the final division meet of the season.
