TIM WEIGHT/For The Exprss Central Mountain went 1-2 after playing three games in four days.

The 2024-2025 PIAA winter sports season is in full swing, with Central Mountain teams competing hard across various sports. Here’s a look at the latest updates.

The boys basketball team started the season with a challenging stretch, playing three games in four days and finishing with a 1-2 record. Despite the slow start, coach Tyler Bardo remains optimistic.

“Playing three tough games early on has been valuable, as we’ve faced challenging size and differing styles. Our pace of play has been solid, and we’re possessing the ball well, but we need more movement and better shot selection to improve efficiency,” Bardo said.

Junior Blake Walker has been a standout, providing leadership and consistency at both ends of the floor.

The girls basketball team began their season with two losses, both to strong teams in Loyalsock and Hughesville, who returned key players from deep playoff runs last season.

Coach Scott Baker saw positives despite the losses.

“Playing two of the top teams in Central PA on the road to open the season wasn’t ideal, but we saw some good things to build on,” Baker said. “There’s still plenty of season left to improve.”

The girls swim team had a strong performance at the Blue Jay Invitational, finishing second behind Danville. Senior Camryn Bair won both the 100 fly and 100 breast, while senior Abrianna Hosley triumphed in the 500 free. Sophomore Gabriella Hosley also claimed victory in the 200 IM.

The boys swim team earned a thrilling victory, edging out Athens by just three points to win the team title. The meet came down to the final relay, and Central Mountain’s two relay teams made the difference.

Coach Scott Bair praised the team effort, noting that all 14 swimmers contributed points.

The Wildcats will compete in a double dual meet against Bloomsburg and Mifflinburg on Tuesday at 4 p.m.

The wrestling team kicked off their season at the Tom Best Memorial Top Hat Tournament in Williamsport, securing a fourth-place finish. Despite tough competition from state-ranked teams like Connellsville, Easton, and Saucon Valley, two Wildcats emerged as individual champions.

• Aiden Kunes defeated state-ranked Noah Fenner in the semifinals and returning state medalist Bradley Wagner in the finals to win the 127-pound title.

• Dalton Perry triumphed at 145 pounds, winning both his semifinal and final matches by fall and technical fall, respectively. Coach Biff Walizer was pleased with the team’s performance, highlighting the strength and dominance shown by Kunes and Perry.

The girls wrestling team participated in the second annual Boiling Springs Holiday Duals, finishing 3-3 in the bronze pool. After some tough losses, the Wildcats rebounded to finish strong with victories over Central York and State College.Notable performances included:

• Junior Kendall Wagner and sophomore Austynn Falls, both finishing with perfect 6-0 records.

• Sophomore Kaitlyn Scarborough-Perez and junior Emma Scarborough-Perez both finished 4-2. The team will continue to build on these strong individual performances as the season progresses.

TEAM OF THE WEEK

This week’s Team of the Week award goes to the Central Mountain Boys Swim Team, whose collective effort in the final relay helped secure a dramatic win at the Blue Jay Invitational. Their victory over Athens was a true team achievement, with each swimmer playing a crucial role.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

The Athlete of the Week award goes to Aiden Kunes, the sophomore wrestling standout who dominated at the Tom Best Memorial Top Hat Tournament.

His victories over state-ranked opponents in both the semifinals and finals were key to his 127-pound title. Congratulations.

The Wildcats are off to a strong start in the 2024-2025 winter sports season, and with plenty of action ahead, there’s much to look forward to as the teams continue to compete and improve