Snow Shortened Keystone Weekly Recap – (1/6 – 1/11)

Written by: David Bray on January 14, 2025

Through all of the snow that blew up the first Keystone games of the week on Tuesday, we only have one or two games to look at from the previous week. That being said, let’s take a look back at all of the Keystone teams on their performances from the past week.

1. Hershey (10-0 Overall, 5-0 Division)

Hershey continues their reign of dominance at the top spot of the Keystone, however Palmyra gave them a run for their money in a 5-point win last Thursday. Cameron Sweeney led the charge for Hershey, putting together a 20-point 8-rebound performance in the win at home. James Campbell did a nice job, finishing with 15 points and 6 rebounds, going 40% from three and being a strong defensive presence. Aidan Miller contributed 11 points on 80% shooting from the floor, dishing out 2 assists and gathering 4 rebounds. Hershey got the lead early against their rivals from next door and held the lead, despite the gap closing to none at the half and even three points with a little over a minute to go in the fourth. Hershey will take on Lower Dauphin at home on Tuesday, Milton Hershey at home on Wednesday, and Mechanicsburg on the road on Friday. 

2. Mechanicsburg (11-1 Overall, 6-1 Division)

Mechanicsburg finally got themselves another couple of big wins and pushed them up as the second overall in the conference with a 17-point win against Mifflin County and an 8-point win against Milton Hershey to give them their first loss of the season. Against Mifflin County, Josh Smith led the show for the Wildcats, putting up a 20-point, 6-rebound, and 7-assist performance on 9/13 shooting from the floor. Justin Bardo had one of his best games of the year with 15 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists, along with 2 threes. Chance Yanoski finished his night with 11 points, securing the victory and bringing on the bench early for Mechanicsburg. Against Milton Hershey, Mechanicsburg took a lead quickly, however, high-octane offense brought the lead within 2 scores. Smith took care of business with 26 points, 13 rebounds, and 6 assists, leading the team to a tight victory. Yanoski finished right behind with 14 points and 7 rebounds and Bardo rounded out the double-digit scoring with 10 points of his own. Out-rebounding Milton Hershey was their key to victory and it moved them up to second in the division with their one loss to Hershey. Mechanicsburg will face Red Land on the road on Tuesday, will take on Hershey at home on Friday, and will face a non-divisional opponent in Northern on Saturday at home.

3. Milton Hershey (7-1 Overall, 5-1 Division)

Milton Hershey finished the week 1-1 as they were able to beat Cedar Cliff by 29 and lost to Mechanicsburg by 8 to take their first loss of the year. Against Cedar Cliff, scoring was all around for the Spartans as Khalif Turner led the team with 12 points and 5 assists, followed by Dylan Crawford with 10 points and 7 rebounds. Abdou Diene was a point away from a double-double, with 9 points and 11 rebounds. The lead was taken early and fast as they ran away with the game through the first half and cleared the bench halfway through the fourth quarter. For Mechanicsburg, Turner led the scoring for Milton Hershey with 16 points, however, his steal number was below what he normally averages, causing a deficit early. Crawford finished the game with a double-double, posting 12 points and 12 rebounds. Diene was held to only 3 points and 4 rebounds, causing Milton Hershey to lose their rebounding advantage and ultimately, the game. Milton Hershey will get their revenge on the Keystone this week with a home game against Mifflin County on Tuesday, a road game against their rival Hershey on Wednesday, a road game against Palmyra on Friday, and a non-divisional game against Manheim Township on the road on Saturday.

4. Lower Dauphin (5-5 Overall, 3-3 Division)

Lower Dauphin took their one game and handled the Keystone opponent of Red Land by 22 points on the road. Lower Dauphin shared the ball well and tallied double-digit scoring for 3 of the 5 starters as Nico DeFrank led the Falcons with 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists. Evan Deibler finished the game with 12 points on 6/11 shooting and Brady Hofsass finished the game with 11 points and 4 assists. As a team only shooting 4 threes, Lower Dauphin took care of business against an opponent that also was on the cusp of a playoff spot. Lower Dauphin has a loaded week, starting with an away game against their rival Hershey on the road on Tuesday, followed by a home game against Cedar Cliff, and ending with the LL vs Mid-Penn Showdown game against Ephrata which I will be commentating at Manheim Central. 

5. Red Land (5-7 Overall, 2-4 Division)

Red Land took a tough loss this week at home against Lower Dauphin by 22 points. Scoring was extremely limited for the Patriots and with Noah May getting into foul trouble early along with Colton Rose being double-teamed every possession, there was no room for a potential comeback once the Falcons began to increase their lead. Bodie Zeiders finished the game on top with 7 points and 5 rebounds. Quinlin Shearer finished the game with 6 points and Rose was right behind with 5 points. It felt that there was a lid on as shots seemed not to fall for the Patriots, shooting 11% from three. The Patriots are not out of it yet, and with a few key wins this coming week, we might see Red Land in the playoff picture in the coming weeks. Red Land will take on Mechanicsburg at home on Tuesday, Mifflin County on the road on Friday, and will face off in the LL vs Mid-Penn Showdown against the hosts, Manheim Central on Saturday, which I will be commentating. 

6. Palmyra (5-7 Overall, 2-4 Division)

Palmyra took a loss this week, but it felt like a small victory with a 5-point loss to undefeated Hershey. Palmyra played extremely well all game, with Luke Grumbein leading Palmyra with 12 points, followed by Alex Dorta and Micah Warner, both with 10 points. Braydon Bown was shooting well in the first half, going 2 for 2 to start, however, he caught a cramp in the early stages of the second half and didn’t return for the rest of the game. The Cougars narrowed the lead down to 3 near the end of the game, but it wasn’t enough as a few free throws sealed the game for Hershey. Palmyra is still in it with a few big wins and close calls to their name, and the team has enough gas to get to the finish line. Palmyra will take on Cedar Cliff on the road on Tuesday, Milton Hershey at home on Friday, and will face a non-divisional opponent in Pottsville on Saturday. 

7. Mifflin County (4-6 Overall, 1-5 Division)

Mifflin County took another hit this past week with a 17-point loss to the team they upset last season, Mechanicsburg. Aidan Attivo played well for the Huskies, only shooting 3 for 12 from the floor, but racking 14 points including 7 free throws. Luke Bender played a key role for the Huskies posting 9 points, 4 assists, and 3 rebounds in the loss. Josh Hartzler contributed 6 points and 7 rebounds despite the loss. The Huskies have been battling the 1-6 record over the past 7 games and are looking for a breather in the Keystone Division, which could come in the games in the upcoming weeks. Zach Keller has still not suited up for the Huskies in the past 6 games, but the hope is that he returns soon as he is out of the boot on his left foot as I had mentioned earlier in a prior recap. Once Jack Curry returns to form, the Huskies are a tough team to beat with their perimeter shooting. Mifflin County will take on Milton Hershey on the road on Tuesday and Red Land at home on Friday.

8. Cedar Cliff (2-11 Overall, 0-6 Division)

Cedar Cliff is facing a drought they hadn’t hoped this season would become as they drop another game against Milton Hershey by 29 points. Cedar Cliff initially battled with Milton Hershey, but once the turnovers started, Milton Hershey kept capitalizing and took a sizable lead going into the second half. Troy Joray off the bench finished with 8 points and 5 rebounds for the Colt followed by Mohamed Ahmed and Jayvion Walker with 5 points each. As a team sporting 37% from the floor and 30% from three, both being Keystone lows, Cedar Cliff needs to add some firepower to their offense with Joray, who’s shooting an impressive 66% from the floor, and become the upset team for the Keystone division. Last season, they almost took down Hershey twice, who’s to say they won’t do it again? Cedar Cliff will face Palmyra at home on Tuesday, Lower Dauphin on the road on Friday, and finish their week at the LL vs Mid-Penn showdown against Hempfield at Manheim Central on Saturday.

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