December 18-19

Monday lunch at the mall, in late afternoon we convened at McCaskey. The boys lost on Saturday in Harrisburg, on this night we traveled to Lebanon for the season's second league game. The history between JPM and Lebanon dates back prior to the formation of the LL League, the schools were together in the old Central Penn League in the 1960s and there has rarely been any love lost. The night began with a victory for the JV squad, their first of the season. In the main event the varsity earned its first W but it wasn't easy. At halftime we were up by eleven, the lead was twelve entering the last quarter. Lebanon put on a furious rally but JPM held on for a tough 59-56 decision. Eleven players got into the game, ten hit the scoring column: Ajani Simmons led with 11, Tallian Lehr and Eddie Simmons had nine each, Brian McKenzie and Bryam Menendez added seven apiece, Makai Ortiz scored six, Gary Smith had five, Jordan Washington and Jahsaan Greaves each had a field goal and Isiah Speller had a very rare off-night with one point at the foul line. It was another night where the floor seemed unlevel, Lebanon outscored us at the line 20-7. It's never a bad thing to win in Lebanon, it's our longest trip within the division (about 25 miles give-or-take, Cedar Crest is the exact same route but about three miles less) and the bus ride back is always a little more palatable after a win. The club's mark is even at 1-1 in the division and 1-3 overall, we're back home on Wednesday the 20th versus Penn Manor. Take care, thanks for reading.