WWW.lebanonsportsbuzz.com has some very strict standards concerning the number of players it selects for its all-Lebanon County basketball teams. But Clay Penchard elevated his level of play so high this season that he simply played his way on to the local sports authority’s all-county team.

Penchard, a slashing 6-2 senior wing out of Cedar Crest, was recently one of six – not five – local players selected to Lebanon Sports Buzz’s 2012-13 all-Lebanon County boys’ basketball team. Penchard’s inspired performances at the end of the season helped send the Falcons on an historic basketball binge.

Through his leadership, athleticism and ability to get into the lane offensively, Penchard paced the Falcons to 12 victories in 13 late season games. At one point midway through the season, Cedar Crest had sported a less than impressive 5-7 overall mark.

Included in Cedar Crest’s late run were Lancaster-Lebanon League playoff victories over Lancaster Catholic and Elizabethtown. That spurt came on the heels of the Falcons’ first league playoff appearance in 37 years.

With Penchard playing his game, Cedar Crest continued its run in the first half of the Lancaster-Lebanon League championship game with McCaskey, before falling to the mighty Red Tornado in the second half.

And don’t be surprised if Penchard turns up on the local Division Three college basketball scene next winter.