Are the Smithsburg Leopards the boys basketball team of destiny in the MPSSAA Championships? Well, after the big week had by Smithsburg, let’s just say we wouldn’t recommend betting against the Leopards.
Smithsburg took two big steps forward in the MPSSAA playoffs last week. Last Tuesday, the Leopards did the unthinkable, overcoming a 25-point deficit to shock South Carroll by a 76-70 score in the Class 1A West II Regional title game.
Smithsburg carried that momentum into Friday’s MPSSAA state quarterfinal game against Loch Raven, which saw the Leopards prevail by a 96-82 score. Two wins are all that seperates Smithsburg from a state championship. On Tuesday, the Leopards will play in the semifinal round against No. 2 Edmondson-Westside.
In PIAA tournament action, one boys basketball team from the Local.News area advanced past the first round, while another saw its season come to an end.
The Chambersburg Trojans cruised in their Class 6A state opener on Saturday, crushing Central Bucks East by a 72-41 score. Chambersburg moves on to the second round on Wednesday and will take on Parkland. Greencastle-Antrim’s season is over following Friday’s 73-58 loss to Shaler in the first round of the Class 5A tourney.
Finally, a big congratulations to Chambersburg wrestler Aiden Hight, who placed third at 215 pounds at last weekend’s PIAA Class 3A Wrestling Championships.
Below is a sport-by-sport look at how teams in the Local.News coverage area performed last week:
BOYS BASKETBALL
Records
Mid-Penn Conference records: Chambersburg (20-6), Greencastle-Antrim (19-8, season is over), Waynesboro (10-11, season is over).
Washington County records (Local.News teams): Smithsburg (22-4), North Hagerstown (15-10, season is over), South Hagerstown (10-13, season is over).
Scores
Tuesday, March 5
MPSSAA Championships
Class 1A West II Region Final
No. 1 Smithsburg 76, No. 3 South Carroll 70
Friday, March 8
PIAA Class 5A Championships
First Round
Shaler 73, Greencastle-Antrim 58
MPSSAA Championships
Class 1A State Quarterfinal
No. 3 Smithsburg 96, No. 6 Loch Raven 82
Saturday, March 9
PIAA Class 6A Championships
First Round
Chambersburg 72, Central Bucks East 41
WRESTLING
Scores
Thursday-Saturday, March 7-9
PIAA Class 3A Wrestling Championships
Chambersburg (Aiden Hight 3rd place at 215 pounds)