FRIDAY, Jan. 27, 2023
ALTOONA-MIDWAY MIDDLE SCHOOL BASKETBALL
BUFFALO – While it was nice to finally return to the home court for the first time
in two weeks, unfortunately offensive output was still in short supply as the Altoona-
Midway Middle School basketball teams dropped both ends of a Mineral Belt League
doubleheader against the Edna Wildcats here Thursday.
A talented Edna team stayed unbeaten by virtue of a 33-6 victory in the boys’
matchup. And despite a valiant defensive effort by the Lady Jets, the girls’ contest also
went to the Wildcats in a 20-4 finale.
Altoona-Midway will wrap up its regular season middle school schedule on
Monday, Jan. 30, hosting Elk Valley. The AMMS squads will then close out the year by
participating in the Mineral Belt League Tournament.
AMMS Boys
Edna stayed undefeated on the year with a 33-6 win over Altoona-Midway (0-10).
“Most of tonight's highlights belonged to Edna. It’s easy to see why they are the
undefeated number one team in our league,” said AMMS head coach David Batzer. “Edna
was big and athletic, and from top to bottom a very good basketball team.
“But I was just as impressed with their level of sportsmanship as I was their talent
on the court as they could have easily run up the score,” Batzer added.
Edna managed just an 8-2 lead after the first quarter, but a 17-0 run put the Wildcats
up 25-2 at halftime.
“It was our first game running a 2-3 zone,” Batzer said. “The boys were really
hustling, and I thought we frustrated Edna’s offense at times. I’m really proud of our team
for the effort they put into playing good, close-out defense. It’s something we will
continue to mix in with our pack-line man defense.”
Chance Carter led the Jets with four points, and Zach Good added two points. Weil
led Edna with 13 points.
“We continue to improve with our passing and court vision, but I know we can get
better,” Batzer noted. “Overall we are night and day different from the team that walkedonto the court for our first game of the year. The team is really pumped to get back on the court on Monday to close out the regular season against Elk Valley.”
Edna also won a “B” game 13-2. Caden Sicka had the basket for AMMS.
AMMS Girls
The Lady Jets (1-9) played tremendous defense but were unable to generate offense
in their 20-4 loss to Edna.
“The girls played the best defense they have probably played all season,” said
AMMS head coach Amanda Odell. “We put in a new offense on our two days of practice
this week and I feel like we had a lot more looks to make a basket. We actually ran the
offense but for some reason our shots just aren’t falling.”
Altoona-Midway’s tremendous defense kept it very competitive for much of the
game. Edna led just 2-0 after one period and 5-3 at halftime before outscoring AMMS 15-
1 in the final two quarters.
AMMS was unable to connect from the field the entire contest. Sandra Morales was
successful on three free throw attempts and Peyton Drake added a single charity point.
Morales pulled down nine rebounds and had three blocks, while Jasa Pankaskie garnered
seven boards.
The Lady Jets did manage a 10-6 victory in the two-quarter “B” game. Morales and
Ada Hufford each netted four points while Pankaskie added two.
“Ada and Jasa made their first baskets of the season during the B team game, which
makes me so happy,” Odell said. “These girls have improved so much from the beginning
of the season until now; I’m not ready for the season to end because I love seeing their
progress.”