BLUE DEVIL DISPATCH 2-23-11
WRESTLING
Cody Carbaugh punched his ticket to the District 3-AAA Championship Tournament with a fierce battle back through the consolation bracket in the 103 weight class at the Section I Tournament Saturday at Mechanicsburg. The sophomore was the lone Blue Devil to advance and extend his season to the district round of competition.
Carbaugh had just one bout in the championship round, but he proved that his third place finish was no fluke. Carbaugh was pinned by Carlisle’s Jahdiel Nunez in the quarterfinals, but avenged the loss when he and Nunez met up again in the consolation final. The winner would get third place and a berth in the district round. The loser’s season is over. Carbaugh proved his mettle by pinning Nunez in 1:54.
The Blue Devil used a pin and a technical fall to move to the consolation final.
The G-A wrestler that was closest to advancing was senior Josh Pluta at 171 pounds. Pluta secured a third period pin in the preliminary round to make it to the quarterfinals. Pluta battled Big Spring’s Canny Hockensmith well in the quarters, but fell 3-1.
Pluta won his first round consolation match with a 45 second pin, but another close decision ended his season in the second round. Pluta dropped a 6-2 decision.
G-A’s Jake Heuer won his preliminary bout at 119, but was pinned in the quarterfinals and the first round of the consolations.
Also wrestling for the Devils in the event were Wade Rider (112), Ryan Wolf (135), Bobby McPherson (140), Brennan Bickford (160) and Matt Nardi (189).
Carbaugh will begin district wrestling Friday at Hersheypark Arena.
BOYS’
BASKETBALL
The Blue Devils were able to get on the court last week while awaiting the start of District 3-AAA Tournament play, but the Harrisburg Cougars never let them in the game. Carrying the Colonial Division title into the Mid-Penn Conference Tournament, the Blue Devils drew the tough Cougars. Harrisburg sailed to a 74-39 win, disrupting everything the Devils had been used to accomplishing during a 16-7 season.
The Cougars lit the fire early for an 18-6 first quarter and led 45-13 at the half. The Devils never got any closer than 27 points the rest of the way.
Denver Cordell, who was limited to two points in the first half, ended up with 11 to lead the Devils. He also had seven rebounds. Corey Meyers added eight points.
G-A had to take to the road for the opening district game, playing Susquehanna Township in their gym. The Devils were the ninth seed and Township was number eight with a 14-8 record.
