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Local Chief Logan team honored at MC boys game; MC falls to Lower Dauphin

LEWISTOWN – Mifflin County fell behind early and just could not recover as the Huskies fell to rival Lower Dauphin by the final score of 67-34 in a Mid-Penn Conference Keystone division boys basketball game Friday night.

The Falcons came out flying in the first quarter of the game using their size advantage and constant ball movement to penetrate inside the paint for baskets.

Lower Dauphin got contributions from six different players who scored at least a basket in the period. The Huskies may have been shut out for the quarter if not for the efforts of Cade Penepacker who scored all six points for Mifflin County in the frame.

In fact, Penepacker scored the first seven points for Mifflin County as the Huskies did not have another player score a basket until the second quarter where Landen Eichhorn and Conner Zimmerman combined for seven of 16 total points scored by the Huskies for the period.

On the flip side the Falcons continued to attack the inside and got Mifflin County into foul trouble as the Huskies had 11 team fouls for the whole first half of the game. Lower Dauphin took advantage as the Falcons had nine shot attempts from the line and made eight of those shots.

Much like in the first quarter, Lower Dauphin found the open man getting six different scorers for the quarter and took a 41-22 lead at the half.

The Falcons got behind their 6á6 center Colton Waters in the third quarter who controlled the paint and scored six out of his 15 total points in the frame.

Much like in the first quarter, the Huskies struggled to get their shots to find the bottom of the net and appeared as though they were going to be held scoreless. But that was when Penepacker went on the attack and tried to inspire his team as Penepacker was going after as many rebounds and loose balls as he could to keep Lower Dauphin out of its rhythm. Zimmerman joined in on the action and scored four of the six total points scored for Mifflin County in the third.

Penepacker led the Huskies with a team high of nine points while Zimmerman added another eight points for the evening.

But despite the loss, it was a very special night for Mifflin County as the Huskies were playing tribute to former Chief Logan boys basketball head coach Gene Brown.

Brown coached for 11 seasons with the Mingoes from 1973 to 1984. In those 11 seasons, Brown led his team to three state playoff appearances, the first being the 1978-79 team. The second was the 1981-82 team that made it to the state quarterfinals and first state playoff win. The third team was the 1982-83 team that made an unbelievable run all the way to the final four before losing to the eventual state champions and undefeated Sto-Rox.

In the 281 games coached, coach Brown compiled a win-loss record of (188-93) for a percentage of 67 and never had a losing regular season. Chief Logan qualified for the District 6 playoffs nine out of those 11 seasons coached, and won five straight Mingo Holiday Tournament Championships.

Coach Brown posted a record of (20-4) against cross-town rival Lewistown, coached eight All-Mountain League first team players, four second team players and had one all-state player in Brad Heckert who was a part of the 1982-83 team that made the final four.

Coach Curry was thankful and honored to have coach Brown be on the sidelines with his players and hopes to inspire his program to build a strong foundation that was created by coach Brown.

“Coach Brown is a master craftsman and by that I mean he is just a guy that makes everybody better around him,” Curry said. “You can tell that in the fact that almost all of his players from those classes came back to see him. He has been an inspiration to so many of us myself included. Just a complete joy to have them here and see him smiling and all of his players back. That’s the kind of culture that we want to develop here and it’s a great example for our players.”

Mifflin County (2-13, 0-10) will host Altoona today with a lot at stake as the winner of the game will qualify for the District 6 playoffs.

Lower Dauphin 67, Mifflin County 34
MIFFLIN COUNTY
Quinton Hepner 1 0-0 2, Alex Kline 0 0-0 0, Cade Penepacker 3 3-4 9, Owen Wise 1 0-0 2, Conner Zimmerman 4 0-0 8, Landen Eichhorn 2 0-0 5, CJ Gill 0 0-0 0, Aidan Reed 1 2-4 4, Tagg Silfies 0 0-0 0, Jonathan Hartlzer 0 0-0 0, Jay Miner 0 0-0 0, Jayden Bilger 2 0-0 4, Aidan Attivo 0 0-0 0, Myka Simmons 0 0-0 0, Talik Fernandez 0 0-0 0, Ashton Vega 0 0-0 0. Totals: 14 5-8 34
3-point goals: Eichhorn
LOWER DAUPHIN
Conlan Zalonis 0 0-2 0, Charlie Fortney 3 3-4 9, Wes Heagy 2 0-0 4, Chase Smith 2 2-2 7, Braden Landis 3 1-3 7, Matt Mosco 0 4-4 4, Landon Miller 0 0-0 0, Cody Rosati 3 2-2 10, Tyler Persing 0 0-0 0, Brady Hofsass 1 2-4 4, Noah Heath 1 0-0 2, Nick Fry 0 0-0 0, Darron Hunter 1 0-0 2, Nico DeFrank 1 0-0 3, Colton Waters 7 1-1 15. Totals: 24 15-22 67
3-point goals: Smith, Rosati 2, DeFrank
Score by quarters
LD 20-21-17-9 – 67
MC 6-16-6-6 – 34

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