Lebanon, PA. The Lady Cedars basketball team has been the talk of the town. With four-straight Lancaster-Lebanon League Championships and a successful run into PIAA playoffs under their belt, it’s no wonder all eyes have been locked on the court. However, Cedar Nation had more than one team to cheer for this year, including some newcomers and new-to-you sports.
New-to-You
Girls Wrestling. In their second year of competition, the Lady Cedars wrestling team continued to make their mark in the league. Representing her team in District III competition, Isabella Poole Martinez qualified with a fourth-place finish in district sectionals. The sport has flourished in the off-season with many girls honing their craft during open mats in addition to in-season workouts.
Swimming. When it comes to the pool, many people assume our athletes just take a seat on the deck, but nothing could be further from the truth. Over the last several years, post-season competition has become the norm for our swimming Cedars. This season, two of the three swimmers, Carla and Jomar Hildago qualified for district competition, with Jomar also placing 3rd in the league! Talk about making a splash!
E-Sports. Located outside the library is Lebanon High School’s most technologically advanced playing field – the E-Sports room. This year-round sport boasts nearly 30 players competing in over six games. The team currently competes in Division Two and Division One – Elite. Competition is still on-going, but so far, the LHS Rocket League team placed 2nd in the conference, punching their ticket to post-season play, while Damion Santiago is expected to continue his season in Elite play. Josuel Mercado is resting his reflexes on a four-week bye after he pulled off three upsets and cinched the runner-up position at the Eastern PA Super Smash Brothers Individual Championship – he will compete in-person at State Championships on May 30th and June 1st. No extra lives needed on this squad! Go Cedars!
Newcomers
Unified. Inclusivity is at the heart of Lebanon High School’s newest teams – Unified Fitness, Unified Bocce and Unified Track. Unified Sports is an inclusive sports program that partners Unified Athletes (athletes with intellectual disabilities) with Unified Partners (athletes without) to form a cohesive team. The Unified Bocce team stepped onto the court for the first time this winter, working hard to develop as a team, while also learning the skills and rules related to bocce. To say their hard work paid off is an understatement. This group of tenacious student-athletes shook off their first-game nerves with a win against Elizabethtown, and finished the season ranked third in the league, sending them to League Championships. The Cinderella Story didn’t end there for the Unified team, as they showed up in a big way at League Championships, posting a second-place finish in just their first season! Their spring season is underway, and we can’t wait to see the achievements roll in!
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