The Donegal girls' basketball team faced Susquehannock in a non-league road game on Saturday, January 8. The Warriors managed to hold off Donegal's strong and steady comeback bid in a 42-35 final.

Trailing 24-15 at the half, the Indians (1-10) picked up the pace in the second half, limiting Susquehannock to only seven points in the third stanza.

Sophia Floyd led the Indians in scoring with 12 points. Victoria Burton and Remy White each added eight points.

"Sophia Floyd and Victoria Burton are our co-captains," head coach Matthew Warner pointed out. "They are both aggressive and have stepped up as leaders."

Donegal took to the road for its next game as well, facing Section Four rival Northern Lebanon on Monday, January 10. The Vikings and Indians came into the match both winless in league play.

The Vikings held on for a 47-36 victory, outscoring Donegal 26-20 in the second half of a close contest.

Each team featured a high-scoring player - Ashlyn Messinger of the Vikings scoring 27 and Burton pouring in 26 for Donegal.

"Victoria is our senior center," Warner added. "When we need a big bucket, we look to her to get us one. She has really stepped up over the course of the year, taking the ball in the post."

The Indians came away with a victory in their Tuesday night game against Solanco, improving to 2-11 on the year (1-3 league).

A strong defensive effort did not let a close contest tip in favor of the opponent as Donegal held on for a 41-36 win at home.

"Our defense was very aggressive," Warner said. "We did a nice job of forcing their ballhandlers to go to their off hand instead of strong hands. We were aggressive getting into the passing lanes.

"We were able to make some foul shots down the stretch, which also helped," continued the coach.

Burton and Floyd each connected on a three-point field goal as they claimed 11 and 10 points, respectively, for the game. White scored eight points as did 5-foot-10 junior forward Karah Heidlauf.

Olivia Lasko led Solanco with 12 points.

BOYS' BASKETBALL

Khalil Masden poured in 21 points to pace the Indians past the Vikings in a weekend L-L League contest at Lebanon Valley College. Masden made seven baskets and went 7-for-8 at the foul line for his game-leading total.

In the 57-45 victory, Cole Hunt put up another 10 for the Indians, who improved to 1-3 in league play and 5-5 overall. Donegal got out to a 28-14 halftime lead and held off the Vikings in the second half.

On Tuesday, January 11, the Indians made it two straight L-L League wins as they edged Solanco 49-48 on the road. The Mules made it exciting down the stretch, outscoring the visitors 22-12 in the fourth quarter.

The Indians took a commanding 25-10 lead into the locker room at halftime. Solanco shaved four points off that lead in the third stanza and rallied for a close finish.

Solanco fell to 2-8 on the year (1-4 league) while Donegal improved to 6-5, 2-3.

A trio of teammates - Noah Bailey, Jadon Yoder, and Trent McDowell - each scored 10.

Masden was the leading scorer again with 22 points. Noah Rohrer added another eight points. Hess had six points.

WRESTLING

The Donegal wrestlers entered the week after having taken part in the Cedar Duals at Lebanon High School on Saturday, January 8 where they finished in fifth place, claiming that spot on the strength of a 49-24 triumph over Hershey.

Donegal wrestlers registered three pins in the first five bouts to go along with Silas Mumper's 7-2 decision at the 160-pound weight class.

The match began with Landen Baughman and Ruben Mumper earning six points each at the 138- and 145-pound weight classes, respectively. They both pinned in the first period as did Ethan Hableib at the 172-pound class.

The Trojans also earned three pins to draw to within three points at 21-18 following the 215-pound match.

Noah Hinke's pin at 113 and Nicholai Brotzman's pin at 285 were sandwiched around a Hershey forfeit, giving the Indians an 18-point run. Mark Overlander majored at 120 to make it 43-18 in favor of Donegal.

Wendell Jonas wrapped things up with a pin 3:07 into the 132-pound match.

Donegal's Section Two match at Garden Spot on Wednesday was highlighted by the Indians taking four straight bouts for 15 unanswered points and a 24-23 lead late in the match.

Trailing 23-9 following a technical fall by Garden Spot's Garrett Gehr at the 138-pound weight class, the Indians won four straight - Ruben Mumper's pin 2:54 into the 145-pound battle, Ian Brown's 10-8 decision over a tough opponent in Jeremy Schilling at 152, Andrew Small's 7-3 decision (160) and Silas Mumper bearing down to earn a 5-3 decision at 172. This gave the Indians a short-lived 24-23 lead before a Garden Spot major and a pin at 215 lifted the home team to a 33-24 win.

It was Donegal's first L-L League loss of the season. The result put both teams at 4-1 in league competition.

The victories by Ian Brown and Silas Mumper were not the only close battles won by the Indians. Noah Hinkel defeated Spot's Adam Hahn 6-4 at the 113-pound battle and sophomore Mark Overlander came through with a 4-2 win at 120.

Nicholai Brotzman also earned a decision for Donegal, winning the 285-pound match 7-1 to give Donegal an early 3-0 lead.