Ed Riggs

I love to talk about hiking and backpacking which, for any regular readers of this column, comes as no surprise. When I am asked to give a talk about hiking, backpacking, the Appalachian Trail, or being out in nature, I almost always say “yes”, but that answer always comes with a warning of sorts: I could talk about this for hours and hours.

Down by eight at halftime, previously winless Biglerville rode the backs of Gavin Althoff and Allen Roberts in the second half and rallied for a 52-49 win over Fairfield on Friday night on the Knights' court. The Canner duo each had career highs in points scored, and sparked a third quarter comeback.

I love hiking at this time of the year. Actually, I love hiking at any time of the year. But winter, especially, holds wonders that cannot be enjoyed in the warmer weather of spring or summer. There is something about the crisp air, and the crunch of leaves, frozen ground, or snow that makes hiking in winter feel so…intentional and cherished. And it makes me feel so alive.

Gettysburg and Biglerville are going to get the rematch that each wanted. Unfortunately, it will be in the consolation game of today's conclusion of the Hanover Girls' Basketball Holiday Classic.

Red Land came to town with a 2-6 record, but was running on all cylinders to win two in a row and take the title at the Gettysburg Lions Club Holiday Tournament over the weekend. The Patriots got a combined 56 points from tournament MVP Noah May and Colton Rose and pulled away in the fourth quarter to defeat Delone Catholic in the championship game, 68-56, on Saturday. South Western took the consolation game with a 67-57 win over host Gettysburg.

It's a new year, and this is exactly when I start getting excited about hikers getting ready to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail.

Playing a lock-down defense against a good-shooting team, the Delone Catholic Squirettes muscled their way to a solid 59-32 win over Bermudian Springs on Friday night on the Eagles' court. Not only did the Delone defense hold star senior Victoria Bross to no points, Reece Meckley had a big game on offense, scoring 20 points to lead all scorers. It was a well-rounded victory for the Squirettes.

When Delone Catholic played Berks Catholic on Saturday afternoon, it had only been 17 hours since the defensive gem the Squirettes dialed up against Bermudian Springs. So, excuse them for being a little weary as they took the home court against perennially strong Berks Catholic.

What a night it was on the Bermudian Springs basketball court. Riding the emotion of the 1,000-point chase by senior standout Tori Bross, the Eagles put up a lot of points in defeating Hanover, 66-51. Bross did get her 1,000, nailing two free throws late in the game to give her 21 on the night and exactly 1,000 points for her career.

The Delone Catholic Squires had lost just two games this season. One was to much larger Red Land, and the other a 13-point loss to YAIAA-3 rival York Catholic back in December.