01/02/26 Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski / Juniata Valley's Jett Rand drives by Bellwood-Antis' Connor Mayes.

BELLWOOD — Coming off a big win on Sunday against Mount Union, the Juniata Valley boys basketball team looked to keep the momentum going against Bellwood-Antis on Friday night.

Despite some mistakes in the second half, the Hornets came out on top with a 56-51 victory over the Blue Devils at Bellwood-Antis High School.

In the first half, Juniata Valley (8-2) held the Blue Devils to eight points.

Senior Joel LeCrone racked up seven points in the half.

“Joel always plays tough,” Hornets coach Bill Lightner said. “He gives me everything he’s got every game.”

Fellow seniors Jett Rand and Kyler Spurlin each contributed 10 points each in the victory.

“He (Rand) is the leader out there,” Lightner said. “He facilitates everybody, and he plays tough.”

After having five days off since their last game, the Hornets said this victory will help them going forward.

“Coming up here to Bellwood and playing against a Laurel Highlands team, we knew it would be tough,” Lightner said. “I think going back into the ICC; it’s going to help us.”

In the third quarter, Bellwood-Antis (3-7) junior Jackson Dorminy tallied 11 of his 22 total points to cut the Blue Devil’s deficit.

“These kids will give effort,” Blue Devil coach Tyler Mertiff said. “I just need them to give that effort for four quarters.”

The loss extends the Bellwood-Antis losing streak to seven straight games. Despite the losing effort, the message remains the same.

“We’re going to keep playing hard,” Mertiff said. “In the Laurel Highlands, there is no easy game; I know these kids will give me maximum effort and we’ll bounce back.”

Both teams have a quick turnaround as Bellwood Antis travels to Central on Monday, and Juniata Valley hosts Moshannon Valley on Monday.

JUNIATA VALLEY (56): Rand 3 3-4 10, LeCrone 6 2-2 15, Spurlin 4 1-2 10, Cook 1 2-2 5, Scalia 3 1-3 9, Castaneda 1 0-0 3, Glenny 0 1-2 1, Norris 0 1-2 1, Hoffmaster 1 0-0 2. Totals: 45 11-17 56.

BELLWOOD (51): Dorminy 8 5-6 22, Shedlock 4 1-1 9, Mayes 1 0-0 3, Fatzinger 1 0-0 2, McClellan 1 1-2 3, Leeper 3 0-0 8, Litzinger 1 2-2 4. Totals: 42 9-11 51

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Juniata Valley 20 17 7 12 – 56

Bellwood-Antis 8 8 20 15 – 51

3-point goals: Juniata Valley 7 (Rand, LeCrone, Spurlin, Cook, Scalia 2, Castaneda), Bellwood 4 (Dorminy, Mayes, Leeper 2)

Records: Juniata Valley (8-2), Bellwood (3-7).

Officials: Wayne Warfel, Tom Kegg, Doug McNulty

JV: Bellwood-Antis, 59-51.