Lions want to make some noise in ACAA

BY JOSH YODER Sports reporter jyoder@lewistownsentinel.com

PORT ROYAL — Juniata Christian will be looking to build off of last season and will have plenty of experience coming back to make some noise in the Allegheny Christian Athletic Association. Jim Tusing Jr will return at the helm along with assistants Erin Warner and Maggie Sheafferman.

“(We’re) excited about the opportunities,” Tusing said.

The Lions will be coming in with a ton of experience coming back from a season ago as they will have five seniors on the roster in Peyton Burd, Lindsay Glick, Emily Sheaffer, Rachel Sheaffer and Olivia Tusing.

“They have been down the road, so I hope they will have the experience to enjoy success,” Tusing said.

Juniata Christian will also have five juniors on the roster this year as well in Annika Martin, Jenna Glick, Morgan Hoover, Erin Sheaffer and Abby Warner to go along with sophomore Reagan Burd and freshmen Maddie Warner to ensure that the team will not only be competitive this year, but for many years to come.

With all that talent and experience coming back, coach Tusing believes that it will not be a one woman show and expects his team to play as a solid unit throughout the season in every game and in every practice.

“We hope to have a balanced attack,” Tusing said.

Not only that, coach Tusing has high expectations for his team and sees the possibly of making a run in the postseason.

“Make Districts,” Tusing said.

But standing in their way of reaching that goal according to coach Tusing will be teams like traditional power Northumberland Christian, Meadowbrook Christian and cross county rival Belleville Mennonite who is coming off a season where the Thunder reached Districts a season ago.

“Meadowbrook has a lot of good returning players,” Tusing said. “Belleville is always tough and Northumberland always has a good squad.”

But when it is all said and done, what Juniata Christian wants to be remembered as a team that lived and teached the word of their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ both on and off the court.

“We try and teach the girls, one, to be like Christ, to love him and to love others,” Tusing said. “Two, and to turn to him because no one is perfect and we all need his grace and forgiveness.”

Head coach: Jim Tusing Jr

Assistant coaches: Erin Warner, Maggie Sheafferman

Juniata Christian girls basketball

Dec. 5 @Lourdes Regional 6 PM

Dec. 6 vs Fannett Metal 6 PM

Dec. 9 @High Point 8 PM

Dec. 10@Lancaster County Christian

2 PM

Dec. 13 vs Columbia County 6 PM

Dec. 16 @Grace Prep 6 PM

Dec. 19@Belleville Mennonite 6 PM

Dec. 27 @Fairfield 2 PM

Dec. 28 vs Christian School of York

TBA

Jan. 3 @Bucktail 6 PM

Jan. 6 vs Newport 6 PM

Jan. 10 vs Meadowbrook Christian

6 PM

Jan. 13 @Norrry Christian 6 PM

Jan. 19 @Juniata 7:30 PM

Jan. 20 @Columbia County 6 PM

Jan.23@Harrisburg Academy 6 PM

Jan. 24 vs Belleville Mennonite

6 PM

Jan. 27 vs Columbia-Montour AVTS

6 PM

Jan. 31 vs Norry Christian 6 PM

Feb. 3 @Meadowbrook Christian

6 PM

Feb. 6 @East Juniata 7:30 PM

Feb. 7 vs Grace Prep

Continued from Page 8 the team to beat.

“Cedar Cliff is the clear favorite to win the Keystone Division. They made it to the state semifinals last season, return their three best players, and have a 6-2 ‘transfer’ from Central Dauphin,” he said.

Gingrich and the girls have lofty goals this season, but winning starts with a plus-one improvement each day. Consistency, confidence, and hard work will determine how far the 2022-23 version of the Lady Husky basketball team goes.

“Our goal every season is to improve each day and be playing our best basketball in February. However, we want to contend for a league title every season, win a district championship and make a run in the state playoffs,” Gingrich said. “We have the talent on this team to reach our goals, but as I said earlier, a lot of players must play confidently and excel in their roles if we are going to be successful.”

Mifflin County Huskies

Record: 18-7 (11-3 Mid-Penn Keystone)

Coach: Aaron Gingrich. Assistants: Brett Leister, Dick Gingrich, Eleana Eckley.