The Pequea girls' basketball team posted a 42-32 victory over Lancaster Country Day on Friday, February 5, in a Section Five battle on the road. The Braves came on strong in the second half, especially with a fourth quarter in which they outscored the home team by eight points.

Country Day managed to hold on to a slim 18-15 edge at halftime before the Braves erased the deficit with a stingy third stanza while putting up nine points.

The victory raised the Braves' record to 2-6 (2-5 league) while Country Day fell to 3-5 (2-5 league).

"We came out a bit flat, actually," Jason McDonald, the Pequea head coach, stated. "As the game went on, we picked up the pace against them. They don't like playing fast. We created a lot of turnovers and our defense led to our offense."

Sarah Arment was an offensive force that could not be contained. She scored 16 for Pequea and led all scorers. She also grabbed eight rebounds.

"Most of her scoring came in the second half after we had picked up the pace," said McDonald.

Shaina Stoltzfus came through with nine points, including a three-point bucket. She also had five assists. Rebecca Cox put up eight points and hauled in five rebounds.

One night earlier, the Braves faced the Columbia Crimson Tide in a Section Five game on the road. A 21-6 run by the Tide in the second quarter swung the momentum in the home team's direction as they topped the Braves 62-42.

Though disappointed with a loss, McDonald reflected on this game, pointing out the various areas of great execution.

"We got into an up-tempo game," he said. "That's always our goal - get shots in transition, dictate the pace of the game."

The only problem was to make the shots go in.

"It was probably the best game we've played all year," he said. "We just didn't shoot very well.

"We did force 24 turnovers in the game and pushed the tempo," McDonald added. "But we couldn't put the ball in the basket - shot only about 25 percent from the floor," he explained. "We had open shots, but it was one of those nights that the ball wasn't going in. The refs and the other team's coaches were complementing our kids after the game. We make six or seven of those missed shots and it's a different game."

Brooke Liney scored 12 points, including a three-point basket and a 5-for-7 effort at the foul line.

Arment and Cox each tallied nine points.

The Braves have had scheduling challenges due to COVID-19 related issues.

"It took our girls four or five games to be in the shape they need to be to play our style of tempo," said McDonald.

WRESTLING

Pequea's wrestling team posted four straight victories, improving its mark to 7-1 on the year (2-1 league).

Coming off a close 30-26 victory over Octorara back on February 3, the Braves downed another non-league opponent, winning 37-15 at York Vo-Tech the following night.

The Braves squad, which is filled with experienced wrestlers this year, went on to defeat Columbia and Hanover in matches that had a slew of forfeits each.

In the York Vo-Tech match, seniors Jace Beegle and Dustin Huber each registered a pin in the 126-pound and 152-pound weight classes, respectively. Collin Rohrer pinned Benjamin Elick in the 138-pound bout while Carter Rohrer earned an 8-0 major decision at 132.

Earning three points for his team was Pequea sophomore Zach Hollenbaugh with a 9-3 decision.

In the Octorara meet, Huber and senior heavyweight Nate Miller each worked a pin. Huber's came at the 160-pound bout. Beegle earned a 12-7 decision and Liam McGinley (106) won by a 12-4 count.

In defeating Hanover by a slim 44-42 margin, the Braves simply had fewer forfeits.

Wins included McGinley's 4-3 decision, a pin by Luke Brown while Huber earned a technical fall, 23-5.

BOYS' BASKETBALL

The Pequea boys' team played its first game in more than two weeks on Monday night, February 8. In the Section Five contest, the Braves fell short to the Cougars in a game at Lancaster Country Day, 59-36. Pequea fell to 1-4 (1-3 league).

The Braves' previous game was a loss at Lancaster Mennonite back on January 22.

In the LCD game, the Cougars sprinted ahead to a 23-6 lead by the end of the first quarter. The Braves hung in there the rest of the game but couldn't overcome the early deficit entirely.

Nevin Stoltzfus led PV with 13 points as he hit from three-point territory three times. Antonio Lazar finished with seven points.

Chris Hedbavny led Country Day with 14 points and nailed three treys.