Friday, February 13, 2009

Three for the Show

There are three games remaining in the regular season for most Centennial Conference basketball teams ... which means each game for playoff contenders takes on even greater importance. The swim teams take the weekend off, preparing for next weekend's Conference championship meet in Lancaster. The wrestling teams wrap up the regular season with quad meets at Gettysburg and Westminster, while the track and field squads look for season-best performances at a number of venues with the Centennial championship meet just two weeks away.

Men's Basketball
Franklin & Marshall (13-2 CC, 20-2) and McDaniel (12-3, 17-5) continue their battle for the top seed for the CC championship tournament in two weeks. The Diplomats face one of the hotter teams in the Conference in Haverford (8-7, 11-10), winners of six of its last seven games. But the Fords have not won in Lancaster since 1977 - a stretch of 19 games. The Green Terror also has history to climb, as McDaniel has not defeated Washington College (7-8, 10-12) in Chestertown since 1982 - a 15-game losing streak at the Cain Center. Another game to watch is in Baltimore, as Muhlenberg (9-6, 13-9) visits Johns Hopkins (7-8, 12-10). The Mules are in a tie for third place and the final first-round bye and are looking to snap a six-game losing streak to Hop at Goldfarb Gym.

Women's Basketball
The day's big game takes place in the Charm City, as Muhlenberg (15-0, 19-3) travels to Johns Hopkins (10-5, 12-10). 'Berg has won seven straight games in the series, including a 69-59 decision on Jan. 15. But the Jays are 7-2 since that loss and are looking for the 400th career win at Homewood for coach Nancy Funk. Another game to watch takes place at Swarthmore, as the Garnet (8-7, 11-11) welcomes Gettysburg (9-6, 12-10) to Tarble Pavilion. The Bullets took an 87-56 decision at home on Jan. 15 for their seventh straight win vs. Swat. Gettysburg is in a three-way tie for fourth place in the Conference, while Swarthmore is a game back in seventh position.

Wrestling
Merchant Marine (5-0 CC) can wrap up the regular season title with wins against Gettysburg and Johns Hopkins. Stevens (4-1 CC) can grab a share of the crown with a sweep of the Bullets and Jays and a stumble by the Mariners. USMMA 165-pounder Vincent Renaut became the first D-III champion ever at the All-Academy championships last weekend.

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