As the regular season came to a close, the Pioneer bowlers were just finding their groove. Thursday, February 3 they claimed their third shutout of the season, blanking Lancaster Catholic 7-0.

"The kids have really been bowling awesome the last couple of weeks," said head coach John Achille. "I hate to see the season end. Peter Mecouch had his single game personal best in the first game of the series, rolling a 196. He finished up with a 192, rolling a personal best 518 series.

"Nick Bukowski was incredible with a personal best series of 652 (highest series of the match), rolling a 238 (highest single game of the match) and 223 in his first two games," he continued.

Ethan Snyder also made a strong showing, backing Bukowski with a 603 series that included a 225 and 216. Katie Pope, with a 472 series, and Gehrig Harsh (453) were right at their season averages.

L-S finished with a 2696 total pin total, topping the Crusaders' 2194.

"That pin total is also our highest of the season," Achille added.

Last Monday, however, with just four bowlers, the Pioneers lost 7-0 to Cocalico, capping their season at 41-50 overall. "If we had our full squad, we would have won," said Achille. "All four bowled above their average, highlighted by Ethan's 250 in game two. Katie had a 511 series which is her second highest for the season."

Snyder led with a 586 series. Harsh (487) and Mecouch (439) followed Pope.

GIRLS' BASKETBALL

With at least a share of the Section Title on the line, the Lady Pioneers kept pace with Manheim Central over the last week, winning three straight and settling as co-section champs with the Barons. It is Lampeter's fourth section title in ten years and first since 2018.

Thursday, Feb. 3, the Pioneers got a game-high 19 points from Jenna Daveler and held off Elizabethtown 39-30. After charging out to a 16-7 first quarter lead and extending that to as many as 12, L-S had to buckle down in the second half. The Bears won the third quarter 10-6, cutting the lead to 29-24 with eight minutes left. A 3-ball by Jade Love-Morris with 6:47 left tied the game at 29-29. Ainsley Raybold answered Katie Ranck's (8 points) bucket in the paint before L-S took control. Ranck hit one-of-two free throws, and Daveler went coast-to-coast for a 34-31 lead. Kallee Locker's two free throws cut the lead to one with 3:42 remaining but the Bears did not score after that.

"I was happy that we held our composure and finished strong," said Fink.

At home on Saturday, Feb. 5, the Pioneers again took care of business, dominating Cocalico 42-17.

L-S jumped out to an 11-2 first quarter lead, held a 17-5 halftime advantage and outscored the visitors 25-12 in the second half for their 12th win of the season.

"Ella Horst (11 points) had a career night on senior night and all the starters played well."

Maggie Visniski, a senior, and Ranck both chipped in with ten points and combined for 8-for-11 free throws.

Last Tuesday's must-win victory over Garden Spot (46-26), coupled with Manheim's win over Cocalico, forged a share of the Section Three crown. MC and L-S finished with 10-2 records. "Ella had another career night with 16, Katie had double-digit rebounds, Kiersten was our floor general, Jenna (12 points) created turnovers and Kelsey was solid as they pulled together to offset Maggie's foul trouble. It was a team effort, top to bottom," said Fink.

SWIMMING

The swim teams swept McCaskey Thursday, Feb. 3 in Lampeter. The boys improved to 4-3 overall with an 88-48 result while the girls dominated 106-62, leaving them with a 5-2 overall mark.

Kyle Spaulding, Ryan Smecker and Andrew Reidenbaugh each won two events and swam on two of the three winning relays. Christian Rota joined the double winners in the 200 free relay while Matt Rota contributed to the 400 free. The brothers also teamed with Honert Cooper and Kurdi for the 200-medley win.

The girls won eight events, including two relays, to pull away. Zara Paisley had a big day, winning the 50 and 100 freestyle events and anchoring both winning relays. Ashley Prouse and Kara Scranton joined Paisley in both the 200 medley and 400 free relays with Kylie Gerhardt leading off the medley and Abby Welchans contributing to the 400 free.

Welchans went on to win the 500 free, Scranton claimed the 100 fly and Gerhardt was tops in the 100 backstroke. Jocelyn Wolff rounded out the winners with the top time in the 100 breaststroke.

BOYS' BASKETBALL

In the last week of regular season games, the Pioneers rolled over Cocalico 63-43 and Garden Spot 69-41 and then worked a 53-50 come-from-behind win over Bishop McDevitt to cap a perfect 21-0 regular season. Lampeter's only other undefeated season was a 12-0 mark set in 1959.

Saturday, Feb. 3, at Cocalico, Berkeley Wagner put up a team-high 18 points to lead L-S past the Eagles 63-43. And they did it with just five made threes. For just the second time this season, the Pioneers were outscored from 3-point range as the hosts dropped in nine. L-S, however, held a 21-7 advantage in made field goals.

Luka Vranich chipped in with 15 points and continues to handle the boards, leading with nine caroms. "He's our leading rebounder," said Berryman. "He played really well."

Isaiah Parido and Ben Wert finished with nine each and Chase Smucker came off the bench with six.

L-S hosted Garden Spot Feb. 8 and, despite falling behind 6-0 early, rallied for the lopsided victory. The Pioneers used a 17-0 run through the second quarter to take control for good.

Ty Burton was back in action and led with 16 points. Wert (13) and Wagner (10) also finished with double figures.

In a nip-and-tuck battle at McDevitt, the Pioneers trailed 13-12 in the first and 26-24 at the half, but recovered in the third, outscoring the Crusaders 17-10 for a 41-36 lead. McDevitt fought back and regained the lead, 47-46, with 1:59 left. Wagner picked off a pass and went coast-to-coast to put LS back in front, for good.

It was the first time this season L-S trailed at the half, and it was their first single digit victory.

Parido netted eight of his team-high 14 points in that third quarter run. Burton hit a dozen and Wagner added 11. Wert, who was tasked with guarding McDevitt's top scorer finished with 6 points.