After securing a 49-24 victory over Palmyra, Manheim Central wrestling coach Billy Chamberlain said it was nice for his grapplers to see some success for their hard work.

He noted freshman Gabe Thomas, at 106 pounds, gaining a fall after being tied 2-2 in the third. At 132, Uriah Warner had his ups and downs but pulled out a 9-7 win.

On Jan. 27, the Barons lost to Elizabethtown in a close match, 42-33. Central trailed 36-6 and came roaring back, cutting the deficit to 36-33. Rocco Daugherty was losing when he rallied for a late pin.

"Even with adversity we were one win away from winning the match," Chamberlain said. "Even when down 36-6, they never gave up and kept fighting."

GIRLS' BASKETBALL

The Lady Barons are on a serious roll. They beat Solanco in a low scoring 32-27 contest in Manheim on Jan. 21. Summer Bates and Maddie Knier each hit free throws to pull away from the Golden Mares.

Manheim coach Tyson Hayes, who had appendectomy surgery and watched the game on the Baron Nation live stream webcast, was a spectator. Tom McCabe coached the team. Hayes was pleased with everyone buying into their roles and contributing. Central was down seven points with three minutes remaining and Hayes liked the demeanor of his squad.

"I never saw panic," Hayes said. "It was a team that just fought and found a way to win. Some nights you just have to gut one out and that's what they did."

On Jan. 26 the Lady Barons beat Lampeter-Strasburg, 41-33. Knier had a team-high 17 points and Rachel Nolt chipped in 14, nailing two 3-pointers. Central led 14-11 after one quarter and 23-15 at halftime. A strong defensive effort in the third quarter limited the Pioneers to only four points and allowed the Lady Barons to pull away. Execution and defense carried Central, Hayes said.

"If you do both of those you are going win more games than not," he said. "I was proud of the energy and effort they brought. They were dialed into the game plan and were going do anything to pull out a win. It was a pure team effort, and we are getting better."

RIFLE

The Barons and Garden Spot were both undefeated before the teams squared off in a doubleheader. The Barons won the first match Jan. 21, in a close 496-495 outcome. Junior Anna Haldeman and freshman Nate Sauder each posted 100 scores. Junior Kami Groff and freshman Kyler Groff both shot 99 and freshman Gabby Fittery had a 98.

The Barons were slightly off the mark in the second game, losing 495-489. Kami Groff was MC's top shooter at 99. Haldeman and Sauder each posted a 98 and junior Ellie McCabe and sophomore Genna Eberly both fired 97.

Central has an inexperienced team and lot of pressure falls on the Barons' top shooters to fire well.

"We have a young team, and I was short one of my juniors," Manheim coach Steve Waddington said. "A lot falls on Anna, Kami and Ellie. If any of them have an off day, it pretty much falls on the sophomore and freshmen to have a really good night.

"Honestly, I was glad we got the one win against Garden Spot. They have a good team and were undefeated until we had our double header. I was thrilled to see freshman Nathan Sauder come through with his first 100 on Thursday. In addition, freshman Kyle Groff posted a 99. This is good for the team seeing the first-year shooters scores coming up. It definitely helps."

SWIMMING

Conestoga Valley beat the Baron boys 94-61. Central's 200 free relay team of Brode Sipel, Wyatt Kupres, Paetyn Knepp and Mason Weaver won with a time of 1:45.96.

The CV won 84-67 in the girls' meet. MaKenna Enck won 50 free, Olivia Faulhaber won 100 free, Gabby Fittery won 500 free, and Raegan won 100 breaststroke. The 200 free relay team of Reagan Nissley, Gabrielle Fittery, Chole Enck and Olivia Faulhaber won on a time of 1:57.58

BOWLING

Manheim lost to Elizabethtown on Jan. 21 by a three-game total of 2674-2207 for a 7-0 loss at Clearview Lanes. Baron' coach Alan Slides said E-town is good, but his squad struggled with adjusting to the conditions and the amount of oil on the lanes. Holly Hunt, a freshman, had a team-high 489 on game scores of 140-161-188 (a team-high). Jesse Hurst rolled a 466, Cole Shontz 442, Landen Statts 411 and Hailey Kowalski 399.

Jan. 23 at Canes Lanes the Barons defeated L-S 5-2 on a three-game total of 2123-2119. "We struggled," Slides said, "but we did enough to win."

Hurst lead the squad with a 506. Hunt added a 450, followed by Statts with a 423, Shontz a 376 and Kowalski a 368. Slides wanted to highlight two junior varsity bowlers. Sophomore Chase Hoke had a first game score of 162, a high for him this year. Fellow JV bowler, Aaron Vogel, a freshman, had a 425 triple, which would have been the third highest varsity score. He came out for the team late and his first scores this season were in the 70s. Now he has a 425.

Manheim lost to Cocalico Jan. 25 by a three-game total of 2916-2162. Hurst was the high scorer for MC with 171-166-177 for a 514 triple. Hunt had a 177 game, which is over his 158 average.

The Barons suffered a loss to Lancaster Catholic, 2374-2340. Slides said his bowlers did not put frames together at the same time. Hurst had a 186-178-197 for 561 triple. Hunt had a 187 game, about 28 pins over her average; Statts had 156 and 168 games, both over his average and Catey Sides had a 147, about seven pins above average.

BOYS' BASKETBALL

Sophomore Trey Grube had a career-high 33 points On Jan. 21 in a 59-36 victory over Solanco. Barons' coach Charlie Fisher said Grube got hot early with five first-half 3-pointers. In the third quarter it went from a four to 23 points lead quickly, Fisher said. Manheim spread the floor and exploited Solanco's 2-3 zone.

The Barons beat Kennard-Dale, 63-37 on Jan. 22. Matt Siegrist had a career-high 23 points, including seven 3-pointers, and Trey Grube added 10 points. Tied 10-10 after the first, Central broke the game open, outscoring KD 15-3 in the second quarter for a 25-13 halftime lead.

"It was one of those nights where everything was clicking," Fisher said. "Matt is a two-year starter and does the hard work behind the scenes. You can count on him to hit the open shot. He's dependable. One game we might need him to play 25 minutes and the next 18. He is a nice utility piece. He is a hard worker and as good a guy to coach as you could ask for."

On Jan. 25, L-S held off Central for a 74-70 win. Camryn Eberly paced the Barons with 28 points, 19 in the second half.