This section was started as a way to share some of the many noteworthy items that occur on a regular basis. We get some of it out via our social media, but keeping up with every item can prove difficult. We hope you enjoy. If you have anything you think we should know, please reach out by sending an email dan@lebcosports.com or by finding us on Twitter @lebcosports1.
This will be an abbreviated version, with another edition hopefully coming out later this week.
Recently, it was revealed the Lebanon High School freshman basketball player Jariel Hiraldo had been diagnosed with Stage 4 brain cancer. As he battles, the greater basketball community has rallied to his support. Over the past week, Lebanon, ELCO, and Northern Lebanon have all held fundraisers to support Hiraldo. Last night, “Jay Fly” made an appearance at the Northern Lebanon Boys Basketball game as they presented a check for $4,260 to help with medical costs.
Twice in the past three weeks, the WGAL Athlete of the Week has hailed from Lebanon County . . . more specifically Lebanon High. First, Kailah Correa earned the honor after she score 27 points against Hempfield, helping the Cedars to an undefeated record. The latest edition again saw a Cedar honored after Griffin Gonzalez won his fourth Lancaster Lebanon League Wrestling Championship on his way to being named the Most Outstanding Wrestler at the league tournament. You are able to see the videos by follow this link.
Cedar Crest grad Chad Ryland had an opportunity to play in Saturday’s Reese’s Senior Bowl. The incredibly accurate, big legged kicker from the University of Maryland (by way of Eastern Michigan) stole the show as his National Team won the game 27-10. In the game, Ryland had FOUR field goals on five attempts, from the following distances: 32, 37, 41, 42. He also tacked on an extra point following a touchdown. The field goal he missed was from 52 yards. After spending a week in Mobile, Alabama being looked at by scouts, the next stop for Ryland is the NFL Draft Combine that is set to kick off on February 28th. The NFL Draft is April 27th – 29th.
Ariel Jones, the former Cedar Crest star, continues to light the collegiate basketball world on fire in leading her Shippensburg Lady Raiders to an 18-4 record. As previously mentioned, Jones set three major records on Monday, January 30 (PSAC Career Scoring, PSAC Single Game Points, NCAA D2 Career Made Free Throws). Taking notice was the Division II Conference Information Directors Association who named Jones the Women’s Basketball National Athlete of the Week. This marked the first time that a Ship player has won the award.
Jones did not stop with cementing her legacy, as she became the leader among all active collegiate women’s players for made free throws in a career. In doing so, Jones now also ranks #2 All-Time among ALL NCAA divisions. Her 794 successful attempts from the charity stripe trails only the 912 free throws made by University of Washington and current Las Vegas Ace star Kelsey Plum.
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