CHAMBERSBURG — Cumberland Valley used an effective spread offense and an advantage on the boards to take a lead in the fourth quarter.
And they used that lead to limit Chambersburg's options, survived a potential tying 3-pointer, and took a 56-53 Mid Penn Commonwealth victory Tuesday evening inside a full and loud CASHS Field House.
Aden Swatsburg
It was the season's first loss for the Trojans (4-1, 2-1 MPC), while CV jumped to 3-1 (3-0 MPC).
"We were scrappier in the second half, and we fought harder," Chambersburg coach Shawn Shreffler said, "deflecting some balls and getting turnovers. But we didn't play consistently that way enough to impact the game. Even with that, we had a shot at the end."
After the Eagles worked an inbounds play that freed up Creston Austin for a layup to make it 56-53 with 17 seconds left, the Trojans had a chance. CV fouled twice before Chambersburg had one more chance on an inbounds play with 5 ticks remaining.
Surprisingly, J.J. Kelly was able to get a good look at a 3-pointer from the left wing, but the ball rattled off the inside front and back of the rim and bounced out.
Cumberland Valley ran an effective offense that passed the ball quickly around the perimeter until someone came open inside or until the player found a lane to drive. It resulted in the Eagles shooting 56% from the field (23-for-41).
Shreffler said, "They put a lot of pressure on your defense. There were some times we did a good job, but other times we didn't. They had good spacing on the floor and that spreads you out.
"We need more reps in practice and we have to become a better defensive team, and we saw that tonight."
The Eagles used four free throws and a drive by Jared Dolimpio to open up their largest lead, 43-36, late in the third quarter.
But Chambersburg roared back with 8 straight, on a fast break from Colton Cornwell, a layup from Aden Swatsburg, then two straight acrobatic layups from Kelly, both assisted by Cornwell, to take a 44-43 lead.
But a 3-pointer by Tauriel Ogunnaike — CV's only three of the game — ended the rally and the Trojans never led again.
"The league this year is really competitive," Shreffler said. "Night in, night out, you're going to get a good basketball game. If we don't improve — and we will — you know the other teams will. We found a way to put ourselves in position to win tonight, but we just need more consistency."
NOTES: Kelly (17), Jones (16) and Cornwell (11) led the Trojans in scoring … Kelly had 3 blocks … Swatsburg took a pair of charges … For the Eagles, Austin scored 18 and Buzalka 13 … Chambersburg travels to Carlisle on Friday night.
Cumberland Valley 56, Chambersburg 53
CUMBERLAND VALLEY
Nolan Buzalka 5 3-5 13, Creston Austin 7 4-4 18, Jared Dolimpio 3 0-1 6, Ron Nguyen 0 0-0 0, Jake Snyder 2 2-2 6, Tauriel Ogunnaike 2 0-2 5, Joe Richardson 0 0-0 0, Adam Sommerville 4 0-0 8, Aiden Diehl 0 0-0 0. Totals 23 9-14 56.
CHAMBERSBURG
Ari Snyder 0 0-0 0, Grayson Kegerreis 1 0-0 3, Aden Swatsburg 1 0-0 2, Eli McDonald 0 0-0 0, COlton Cornwell 4 0-0 11, J.J Kelly 8 1-2 17, Landon Buhrman 2 0-0 4, Jermere Jones 6 4-4 16. Totals 22 5-6 53.
Cumberland Valley 10 18 15 13 — 56
Chambersburg 12 11 15 15 — 53
3-point shots — CV 1 (Ogunnaike); Chbg 4 (Cornwell 3, Kegerreis). Shooting — CV 23-41 (56%); Chbg 22-54 (40.1%); Turnovers — CV 13; Chbg 11.
