Hempfield wrapped up a successful 2023 regular-season campaign, clinching the Section One title with a 10-0 mark in the L-L League. With a close 74-71 victory at McCaskey, a 50-45 non-league win on Saturday over Conestoga and a dominant 75-37 defeat of Lebanon in Landisville on Tuesday, February 7, the Knights head into the postseason with a 19-2 mark. Hempfield finished third in the District Three Class 6A power rankings.

The Red Tornado, who fell to 6-3 in league play, outscored the Knights 46-34 in the second half, making it a very close finish. Eric Centeno and De'Shaun McFadden each scored 18 for McCaskey.

Miguel Pena lit up the scoreboard to the count of 30 points, hitting three treys for the Knights. Kamyn Lawrence also contributed to the high-scoring effort, putting up 21 points while Chase Calabretta poured in 14.

Lawrence had 10 points while Calabretta and Pena each scored nine in the Conestoga game on Saturday.

Against Lebanon, Hempfield came out of the locker room for the second half holding a 36-19 lead. The Knights didn't let up at all, outscoring the Cedars 39-18 over the final two periods as Pena posted another 30-point game. This time the 6-foot-3 senior guard made six three-pointers.

Calabretta (17 pts) and Michael Hester (12 pts) also contributed to the offensive dominance.

GIRLS' BASKETBALL

In a Section One girls' basketball battle, the Hempfield Black Knights held off McCaskey 73-37 on Wednesday, February 1. The Knights (10-10) honored their seniors on Senior Night at Hempfield with Autumn Cook, Lauren Moffatt and Lisa Ndungu contributing to the win.

"We had a lot of contributions from a lot of people," head coach Kendra Merrifield said. "It was senior night, so everyone came out with a lot of energy."

The Black Knights, who improved to 4-5 in league play, led the Red Tornado 40-24 heading into the second half. McCaskey (11-10, 3-6 league) scored only 13 points the entire second half.

Merrifield was asked about the defensive effort.

"We did a great job creating turnovers and winning the 50-50 balls," she said. "We also won the rebounding battle."

Sophia Ott led Hempfield in scoring with 22 points, drilling four baskets from three-point range and converting all four of her free throws. Cook scored 20 while Moffatt finished with 15.

"Moffatt and Cook - their faces have been at the varsity level for four years," Merrifield said. "They developed into great leaders on and off the court.

"Lisa Ndungu developed over the past two years at the varsity level," continued the coach. "She fulfilled her role as a rebounder. It was great to see her develop on the defensive end."

The Black Knights concluded their season with a pair of close contests. On Saturday, Hempfield lost at Central Dauphin 39-35.

In the low-scoring non-league game, Hempfield actually led 16-13 at halftime. The Rams went on a 12-6 run in the third quarter and managed to hold Hempfield off by one point in the fourth.

"It was a very close game," Merrifield said. "They are also a young team like we are. Our kids fought hard in that game. Unfortunately, we've been in a lot of games that we've been close."

Cook had a team-high 11 points for the Knights, who fell to 10-11. Ott scored nine points and Nevaeh Ramirez seven points.

The Knights' final opponent of the season was unbeaten Lebanon on Tuesday, February 7. The Cedars, having already clinched Section One, came into the game with a 20-0 record. In their earlier meeting this season, Lebanon edged Hempfield 52-50 in Landisville on January 12.

"They've worked hard and are where they are for a reason, so kudos to them," Merrifield said, crediting Lebanon. "It was a close game. The margin doesn't reflect how close a game it really was. The first half we played very well."

Hempfield led 24-19 at halftime but ended up falling to the Cedars 60-49. Lebanon went on a 22-15 run in the third quarter to gain a slight edge heading into the final period.

Lebanon's Kailah Correa led all scorers with 17 points. Cook scorched the net from three-point range four times and finished with 16 points. Mia Brennan, who scored 12, and Ott (10 pts) each made two treys.

The Knights missed their chance for league and District Three playoffs as they finished 10-12 (4-6 league).

Merrifield remarked on the seniors playing their final home game in the McCaskey match.

"They came out and played like it was probably the last time they would be playing on their home court," she said.

"We are going to have to improve a lot in the off-season," continued the coach. "We're losing offensive power in Lauren and Autumn. There are some juniors with varsity experience. Hopefully, some incoming players from junior varsity will step in and fill roles."

WRESTLING

In the first round of the District Three 3A team championships held at Wilson on January 31, the Black Knights came up short against Central York.

The Knights entered districts as the 10th seed, going up against the seventh-ranked team. Central Dauphin, the top-seeded team, made it through to the championship match, defeating Cumberland Valley 41-14.

The Central York match began at the 139-pound weight class where Hempfield's Seamus Mack earned a 4-0 decision over Elias Long.

Braden Edwards was in a close battle at 145, losing 6-3.

The Panthers notched four pins in the match. Michael Karpathios and Sutton Schopf earned pins for the Knights. Schopf (127) downed Giovanni Silimperi in 14 seconds. Karpathios finally cashed in over Cash Twigg at 114.

Caleb Mussmon, at heavyweight, escaped with a 1-0 defeat of Ian Scully.

BOWLING

Despite a tough 4-3 loss to Manheim Township on Friday, February 3, the Hempfield bowling team clinched the Section One crown to close out the regular season. Hempfield finished 60-31 in league bowling, edging Penn Manor by one point.

In Friday's clash at Dutch Lanes, topping the Knights in total points was Xander Green at 673. Priest McKenzie, who had a nice 254 in his second game, compiled 667 points while Derick Keller finished at 636.

Bethany Jaquith led Township with 696 points.