By Kenny Varner

MIFFLINTOWN – Neighbor met neighbor Thursday night as the MIfflin County girls basketball team made their way down 322 to go up against Juniata in a non-conference match up.

Rookie coach Hannah Geedey and her squad faced off against veteran coach Aaron Gingrich in the Huskies season opener.

Juniata won its first game of the season against Steel High for Geedey’s first career win.

It would be a battle that wouldn’t be decided until the final seconds as the Indians would muscle out the hard fought 51-47 victory, lifting them to 2-0 on the season.

“We’re 2-0 and can’t ask for a better start for a coaching career. I’m excited for the girls. It was a great team win and we’ll keep it going,” said Geedey about the team’s start. “I went into the lockeroom after the game and told the girls that that was a great team win. Everybody stepped up when they needed to. Everybody did what they were supposed to do. A wins a win and we’ll take it.”

Offensively, the Indians were led by Regan Lowrey who finished the night with a game-high 21 points while teammates Mylee Landis and Grace Reinhold finished with an 11-point and 10-point performance, respectively. Landis finished with a double – double as she pulled down 11 boards.

Mifflin County’s scoring was led by Jaylee Bodtorf’s 14-point effort.

Maelyn Gingrich and Mackenzie Peachey were next as they both finished with eight points in the thriller.

“Anytime you come into a smaller gym with a very aggressive team, you are expecting a dogfight and that’s what we got,” said Mifflin County coach Aaron Gingrich. “We have so many kids that have not played extended varsity minutes in their career so it’s going to be learning under fire. I thought a lot of the big keys were that we allowed the game to get sloppy on our part which is exactly is exactly what Juniata wanted. That is one component we can improve upon going forward.”

In the fourth quarter, Juniata held a 36-34 advantage to start.

Lowrey ended the third with a runner into the lane with three seconds left before the final stanza.

Olivia Mummah started the scoring back up for the Lady Indians as she scored at the 7:12 mark, making it a 38-34 advantage.

After a Mifflin County free throw by Peachey, Juniata went up by six on a triple by Reinhold, extending it to a 41-35 game with just six minutes left.

On the following possession, Juniata forced a turnover and got the ball to Lowrey. Lowrey took it in to extend the lead to eight.

The Lady Huskies continued to climb their way back into the game, getting another free throw by Peachey and then getting two consecutive triples by Bodtorf and Gingrich to close the gap to one with 2:29 left.

Mifflin County’s scoring again forced a turnover and got the ball back with a chance to score. They would do just that as Bodtorf took it strong to the hole, giving Mifflin County the lead at 44-43.

But the Indians battled back to recapture the lead. Again, Lowrey hit a runner in the lane and was fouled on the play. The bucket was good and she hit the free throw, upping the Indians lead to 46-44.

Mifflin County closed it to a one-point deficit when Peyton Weaver hit 1-of-2.

On the following Juniata possession, Lowrey went to the line and hit one-of-two as well, making it a 47-45 game with 1:07 left.

Like they did for most of the contest, MIfflin County got back into it, tying the game in a Peachey basket in traffic, tying it at 47.

Mifflin County fouled Mylee Landis and sent her to the line. She only made one, keeping Mifflin County way within striking distance.

But a late 3-0 run in the final seconds, highlighted by a late steal and basket by Mummah iced the game for the Lady Indians.

Mifflin County opened the game with a 15-13 first quarter lead.

Juniata rallied back in the second to give them a 23-22 advantage going into the intermission.

In the third, Juniata outscored Mifflin County 13-12, setting up the drama and excitement in the final quarter of play.

Juniata   51, MIfflin County 47

MC 15   7 12 13 – 47

JU. 13  10 13 15 – 52

Scoring: MC – Peyton Weaver 3 3-6 9, Jalee Bodtorf 5 0-0 14, Maelyn Gingrich 3 0-0 8, Jayda Kanagy 1 2-2 4, Ava Baker 0 2-2 2, Leah Reed 0 2-2 2, Mackenzie Peachey 1 4-6 8. Totals 13 13-19 47. JU –   Sara Montoya 0 1-2 1, Grace Reinhold 4 0-0 10, Regan Lowrey 8 3-5 21, Aubryn Deihl 1 0-0 2, Olivia Mummah 2 0-0 4,Lindsey Gilson 1 0-0 2, Mylee Landis  5 1-2 11. Totals 21 5-11 51.

Played but didn’t score:  MC –      Malaina Maxwell 0 0-0 0, Ciara Williams 0 0-0 0. JU – Reagan Burd 0 0-2 0.

Three-point shots: MC – Bodtorf 3, Gingrich 2, Weaver 2. JU – Reinhold 2, Lowrey 2.