For the first time in at least eight years, and probably more like 18, Solanco captured the championship trophy in its own Holiday Tournament. The Mules took care of Daniel Boone 59-47 on Wednesday, Dec. 28 and came back to top Kennard Dale 38-37 with Noah Bailey's game-winner one night later. Adding to the excitement was Tyler Burger being named MVP.

"This is the first time we've won since I've been here and that's eight years," noted head coach and athletic director Anthony Hall. "And I heard it was probably 2004 or 2005 that we last won this tournament. It's a confidence booster.

"We did bend a little but we didn't break," he added. "I'm pleased that we're learning and growing as quickly as we are."

The Mules jumped out to an 11-2 lead over K-D in the first quarter and held a 15-4 edge at the break. The Rams, however, solved Solanco's 1-3-1 defense and took the third quarter 24-15, cutting the lead to two, 30-28. Three straight points by Bailey gave the hosts the biggest lead of the quarter, 35-30. The Rams knotted the score at 35 and took a 37-36 lead with less than a minute remaining.

"I called a timeout with 22 seconds left and set up the final play," recalled Hall. "I think they were expecting us to go to Tyler. We ran that final play perfectly and Noah scored in the paint with 14.8 left. That was the first time we ran that play.

"And we did have a season-low in turnovers," the coach continued.

Bailey led the way with 16 points, including a pair of threes, and Burger chipped in with 15, eight coming in the first quarter.

In the opener Wednesday night, Solanco used a 20-13 third quarter run to extend a 24-22 halftime advantage and topped Daniel Boone 59-47.

Burger netted 14 points, seven in that pivotal third quarter, Jadon Yoder added 13, including three treys, and Noah Baber chipped in with 10.

"Tyler had double figures both nights and led us in assists and steals in both games," noted Hall. "Brock Osborne was our defensive player of the game. He was injured most of last year but is gaining confidence."

The Mules secured its first league victory with a come-from-behind win over Ephrata Tuesday, Jan. 3. Jaydon Yoder netted 10 of his game-high 14 points in the fourth quarter as Solanco erased a 31-23 deficit and escaped with a 42-38 win.

Ephrata went 4:40 without scoring and the Mules capitalized, using a 13-2 run through the final 3:40 to finish on top. Yoder was 6-for-7 from the stripe during that final run.

Bailey chipped in with 12 points, Burger added 8 and Baber and Trevor Masterson combined for 8.

GIRLS' BASKETBALL

Also competing in the holiday tournament, the girls' team suffered its second three-point loss of the season, falling to Lampeter-Strasburg 46-43 in the opener and then dropping a disappointing 44-36 result to a young and inexperienced Penn Manor squad on Thursday.

The hosts got off to a solid start against the Pioneers, breaking open a close first quarter when Jenna Ehlers (9 points, 7 rebounds) tallied seven straight points, including a trey with 58 seconds left to put Solanco in front, 13-9.

"We knew, going in, that Katie Ranck was their leading scorer (15ppg avg) and Sarah Landis (10 rebounds) did an outstanding job on her," said head coach Chad McDowell. "This was not the first time, nor will it be the last time, that Sarah has come up big on the defensive end for us."

L-S opened the second with six straight points and broke a 17-17 tie with a 7-4 run to go up 24-21 at the half and then, with a pair of early triples, forged ahead 31-24. Solanco clawed its way back, eventually taking a 35-34 lead on an Emily Sims' (7 points) three pointer only to see Lampeter's Vaughn knock one down just before the buzzer to tie the game at 37 all.

L-S gained its biggest lead of the fourth when Vaughn knocked down her second triple with 25 ticks left for a 45-43 edge. Solanco had the ball out of bounds with 5.8 seconds remaining but Ranck (12 points) tipped Paige Althoffs' last attempt and then hit one of two free throws to seal the deal.

"They hit some very timely shots," said McDowell, "and that last three was huge. We contested that shot so you have to credit their shooter."

Those free throws proved to be critical as Solanco canned just 8-of-14 attempts in the three point loss.

"Free throws have been our nemesis in several games now," said McDowell. "It's a mental thing. We will get better.

"Overall, I thought we played well the entire game," he continued. "We gave ourselves the opportunity to win the game. Unfortunately, the ball did not bounce our way."

Kara Peace was the top point getter with 11 and hauled in seven boards. Josie Janssen (6 points, 4 steals), Arianna Seiberlich (6 points, 3 steals) and Frances Northern (4 points, 7 rebounds) also contributed.

In the consolation game one night later, the girls were dealt a disappointing loss. The Comets, on the strength of four three-pointers, jumped out to a 14-4 first quarter lead and never trailed.

"I thought we would have responded differently after coming off a tough loss the night before," stated McDowell. "Penn Manor was ready and they made shots. Right now it seems like our opponents shoot better in our gym than we do."

The hosts, down as many as 16 points in the third quarter, did mount a comeback over the final eight minutes. Ehlers (16 rebounds) tallied six of her team-high 12 points, and both Janssen (3 steals), with a triple, and Peace, (6 rebounds) added five points each for a 16-9 Solanco advantage but it wasn't enough.

Free throws again played a pivotal role. In an eight-point loss, Solanco missed 12 attempts.

"The girls never quit or give up," said McDowell.

Solanco got back to Section Two play Tuesday night but a scoreless fourth quarter against the Mounts led to a 46-24 defeat. Up 22-15 at the half, Ephrata used a 24-9 run through the second half to improve to 8-1 overall.

WRESTLING

In Chambersburg over the holiday break, the matmen competed in the My House Trojan Wars tournament, bringing home just one medalist. Caden Rutt (107) settled for fifth place, finishing with a 5-2 decision over Zach Thomas (Central Bucks South). He worked a pair of falls and scored an 8-2 decision to get to the semifinals before a fall again top seed Caden Smith (JW Robinson) dropped him into the consolations.

"Caden had a big win over Zach McFarlane in the quarters," noted head coach Tony Mendez. "He beat that kid at the Mule Classic but only by one point. This time he dominated. And the semifinals loss was deceiving. With 30 seconds to go, he was up 6-5 but got pinned in a scramble over the final ten seconds. He wrestled very well.

"This is a tough tournament with 50 teams, many from out of state," he continued. "We're about halfway through the season and this gives us a good understanding of where we need to be and what work still needs to be done.

"Both Jared Fulton (139) and Blaine Plastino (172) made it to the second day and were one win from the placing round," Mendez said.

In JV action, both Aidan Ruiz (127) and Jamar Moore (285) were crowned champions. "They have shared time in the varsity lineup, but this was a good opportunity for them to get more mat time. Aidan defeated teammate Paul Cocher to win the gold."

In Section One action last Wednesday the Mules handled McCaskey 41-30, winning each of the first eight bouts before yielding three falls and two forfeits.

Rutt posted a 1:27 fall at 106 to open the action. McCaskey forfeited at 113 and Nathan Smith (120) followed with an 8-1 decision. Ruiz picked up six points at 126 when Javan Christian was unable to finish the bout due to injury.

Andrew Smith (132) and Fulton (138) followed with first period falls while Ben Williams picked up a tech fall (16-1) at 145. Justin McCauley's 6-3 decision made it 41-0.

FOOTBALL

In football action, Josiah Forren (SB/HB, KR/PR), Carter Smith (LS) and Elijah Cunningham (CB) were all voted to the Class 5A Pennsylvania Football News Coaches Select all state first team. Nearly 300 coaches from all over the state nominated players for this year's all state teams.