In boys’ basketball, Ligonier Valley handed the Saltsburg Trojans their first loss of the season last night, 65-63, at Ligonier.
The Trojans also lost a key player in Nick Porter, who suffered an ankle injury in the second quarter. Porter had scored 10 points when he went down.
The Rams sealed the win with six free throws down the stretch. Marek Paola led the Rams with 15 points.
Ligonier Valley is 14-4 and 9-1 in the Heritage Conference South, while Saltsburg is 15-1 and 8-1. The teams meet again in Saltsburg, February 3rd.
Also last night in Heritage Conference action, Blairsville and United split a girls-boys doubleheader at United.
Twenty four seemed to be the number in the girls’ game. Rena Enterline and Catherine Martin each scored 24 points for Blairsville in a 69-21 victory. Martin hit six 3s, and Blairsville scored more points in the third quarter (24) than United scored in the game. Sidney McCully scored 11 points for Blairsville. Laura Susick led United with eight points.
In the night cap, United defeated Blairsville, 61-54.
In WPIAL action, the Indiana Indians boys’ team clinched a playoff berth with a 73-56 win over Valley.
Indiana sealed the victory scoring 24 points in the fourth period. Carlos Carter paved the way with 22 points, with Ryan Hoff and Jake Benhart also in double figures, scoring 16 and 11 points, respectively.
Indiana will play at second-place Freeport on Friday night.
