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Veterans of Bellwood, Juniata Valley girls series share memories

ALEXANDRIA — Juniata Valley wrapped up the regular season series with Bellwood-Antis with a 51-44 victory Thursday at home.

The win meant the teams split the regular season series for the third year in a row, with both teams winning on their home court the past two seasons and winning on opposing courts three years ago.

The teams have played in four separate PIAA championship games the last four seasons and each has won one district championship, with B-A’s coming over Juniata Valley last season.

Though the teams are likely to meet again in this year’s District 6 Class 2A playoffs, and possibly again in the state finals, there’s also a chance that B-A seniors like Alli Campbell, Emilie Leidig and Sakeria Haralson have played their final game against Juniata Valley seniors like Halee Smith and Hayden Taylor.

The Mirror’s Michael Boytim caught up with all five of those players and coaches Jim Swaney and Rachelle Hopsicker and asked their favorite memories of the series over the past four years.

Hayden Taylor: “The atmosphere is always crazy. I came out of school, and while we were literally still in school, the line was forming outside (for tickets). It’s crazy to see the community support every time we play them. It’s such a great rivalry. It’s such a fun game to play.”

Halee Smith: “I know it wasn’t just me, it was the whole team, but that buzzer-beater we had sophomore year (to beat Bellwood-Antis at Bellwood, the last time B-A has lost at home), that was amazing. That was the best playoff atmosphere we’ve ever had, and it wasn’t even a playoff game. It always goes down to the wire with Bellwood, and it just goes to show you how we’re always neck and neck with each other. Everyone knows it, and everyone shows up.”

Rachelle Hopsicker: “When Halee hit that last second shot a couple years back, and just the crowd reaction. That was amazing. Each time we play them, it brings all the best out of each team. I can say it always feels great when you win, and it hurts more than anything when you lose. I enjoy them, but they are stressful.”

Jim Swaney: “For me, it goes back longer than four years. We had battles with these guys before. Karson Swogger’s junior year (the year before Campbell and Leidig were freshmen at Bellwood) they beat us up at our place, and we had to come down here and beat them just to go to the ICC championship. It’s been going on for a long time, and they are a great program and so are we. I’ll take a lot of memories from that. They have good hard-nosed kids that play hard, and so do we.”

Alli Campbell: “It’s always a great game when we play them. It’s a battle, it’s exciting. Both communities come out, and it’s just a fun atmosphere. That’s what I have enjoyed most about it. We get a great crowd for a girls basketball game, and that’s exciting.”

Emilie Leidig: “I play with Hayden and Halee (in AAU), so playing against them is always fun. Playing with them is for fun. I have so much respect for them. They are so much fun to play, and it’s always a great atmosphere with great fans and it’s a fun game.”

Sakeria Haralson: “It’s always crazy. You don’t have these kinds of rivalry games everywhere. We may win, we may lose, but it’s always a good game and it’s fun. It’s fun to go against girls you play with (in AAU). It makes it more intense, but also makes it more fun.”

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