With the District Three wrestling tournament a little over a week away, the Donegal squad wrapped up the regular season with a match at Solanco on Thursday, February 9.

In a match that netted relatively few points by actual competition, Donegal downed Solanco 37-33. The Indians had to forfeit the first four weight classes while the Mules gave up 18 uncontested points by forfeits at the 189- 215- and 285-pound weight classes.

In between, Ben Viselli's 14-1 major decision got Donegal on the board following the aforementioned four forfeits. Landen Baughman decisioned Ben Williams 3-1 at 145 while both Ruben Mumper (152) and Caidyn Leaf (160) registered pins in their weight classes, cutting the deficit to 30-19 at that point.

Segio Garcia came up short in a 4-0 loss to Blaine Plastino in the 172-pound bout. His brother Scott Garcia picked up six points in the 189-pound forfeit while Dan Viselli (215) and Nicholai Brotzman wrapped up the come-from-behind victory with 12 more unanswered, uncontested points.

BOYS' BASKETBALL

In its 65-56 defeat of Section Three rival Elco on Thursday night, February 9, the Donegal boys' basketball team finished the regular season with a three-game winning streak. The Indians, who improved to 14-8 (8-4 league) won six of their final eight games, gaining momentum for the District Three Class 5A playoffs.

"There was obviously a lot on the line for us in the Elco game," said Donegal head coach Ryan Shipper. "Elco came out ready to play. They made things very difficult for us, but we were able to regroup at halftime and make a few adjustments defensively."

The defensive adjustment translated into the Raiders only scoring three points in the third quarter. The Indians increased their slim one-point halftime edge to a 49-36 advantage heading into the fourth quarter.

"We concentrated on our defensive principles and ultimately took them out of rhythm in the third quarter," Shipper said. "Thankfully, we were able to convert on their turnovers and get some baskets in transition."

Evyan Patel was one of the players converting the opportunities on the offensive end for Donegal. Patel swooshed in four three-point buckets and finished with a game high 19 points. Noah Rohrer and Sawyer Floyd each poured in 11 points while Cole Hess scored nine.

"Cole Hess provides a spark off the bench," said Shipper. "He does a great job rebounding and finishing around the basket. He's a very versatile defender and does great in his role."

Dallas Georrge led the Raiders with 14 points.

"We did a great job of sharing the ball and finding open shooters - especially in the second half," Shipper added. "Patel and Floyd were able to knock down some threes. They both did a lot of great things on the defensive end too.

"We're at our best when everyone is defending and rebounding," added the coach.

The Indians finished 12th in the Class 5A power rankings. Manheim Central and Lampeter-Strasburg earned the top two spots.

"Our focus since the last week of January has been making sure we are improving as a team," Shipper explained. "The players have continued to push themselves and continue to believe in each other. I love where our team is and the way we're playing heading into the playoffs."

GIRLS' BASKETBALL

The Indians wrapped up the 2022-23 basketball season on Thursday, February 9. Hoping to register their first league victory, the Indians visited Elco.

Despite inching closer in the second quarter and trailing by only eight points at the half, the Indians were unable to muster up much offense in the second half of this 60-21 defeat. The Indians fell to 3-19 (0-10 in league) while the Raiders improved to .500 at 11-11 (6-4 league).

SWIMMING

Donegal had five swimmers compete in the L-L League Swimming & Diving Championships, which were held at Wilson High School's Roy G. Snyder Natatorium on Friday and Saturday, February 10-11. Seniors Kylie Wilkinson, Sierra Houck and Emma Myers joined sophomore Haley Leibfried and freshman Thomas Dohl.

"Kylie and Sierra look to return to states and to bring Emma Myers along," Indians coach Isaac Greene said, referring to the PIAA championships, March 14-16 at Bucknell University.

On Friday, Wilkinson medaled in the 200-yard freestyle, taking fifth place with a personal best (2:01.55) on the year. She also went on to achieve a personal best in the 100 free on Saturday, finishing in 56.66 seconds.

Houck medaled in both of her events, placing third in the 50 free on Friday. She did so in 25.01 seconds. She earned fourth in the 100 free (55.07) on Saturday.

"Emma Myers achieved her season best times in the 200 free and the 500 free," Greene pointed out, referring to the respective times of 2:06.31 and 5:42.79.

Leibfried swam the 200 individual medley at a 2:25.02 clip, which was a season best. She also got a personal best (1:06.61) in the 100 backstroke.

"Dohl competed in the 100 fly and achieved his season best of 1:02.44," Greene noted.

BOWLING

Paul Stubenrauch has been working with Donegal youngsters as the school's bowling club team works toward establishing a Lancaster-Lebanon League seat in the sport.

"The school is fully behind it," Stubenrauch said. "Frank Hawkins, the Director of Athletics, has been instrumental in getting the program off the ground."

The bowlers had two kids qualify for the L-L League singles tournament - sophomore Cooper Palmer and junior Will Winders.

"The only thing we compete for is positions in the league's singles playoffs," Stubenrauch explained. "We've played 14 matches as a team this season," he added. "In the last game of our season, we shot a season high 2,855 as a team. We had started the season at 2,500. I have to credit our coaching staff - Alan Shepard, Diane Kitch and Bob Miller, Jr."

Stubenrauch also gave credit to a pair of underclassmen who have improved with good coaching.

"Freshman Mike Berg is an up-and-coming bowler who has raised his average 40 pins since the start of the year," said the coach. "Derek Irwin, a sophomore, has improved his average 40 to 50 pins."

The team has been bowling mainly at Clearview Lanes on Main Street in Mount Joy.

"We have received great support from Clearview Lanes," Stubenrauch added.