CHAMBERSBURG — As the season goes on, the defense of the Chambersburg boys basketball team is getting stronger, averaging only 41 points allowed in the last three games.
That's just what coach Shawn Shreffler wants to see.
Stan Lozius
So you know he had to be happy Friday night when his Trojans pounced on State College for a 52-32 Mid Penn Commonwealth victory at CASHS Field House.
"When we weren't clicking early on offense, the defense was really solid," Shreffler said. "So when we weren't scoring, we didn't allow them to score either. Then, when the offense got it going, we were able to get some separation."
State College's quick pass-and-cut offense was able to connect on quite a few passes inside early, but strong defense either prevented a good look, or caused an extra pass, or deflected a pass.
Shreffler said, "We were really good at being solid there. We didn't leave our feet and we limited them to just one shot."
The Little Lions (4-6, 2-4 MPC) scored only two points and trailed 7-2 after one period. J.J. Kelly got loose for 7 points and Colton Cornwell had 5 in the second quarter to help Chambersburg (8-2, 4-2 MPC) to a 21-14 halftime lead.
Kelly then scored 11 points in a dominating third quarter and the Trojans led 36-20 at the end of three. Kelly scored on three difficult drives to the hoops, a 3-pointer and a reverse slam on a fast break pass from Ari Snyder.
Kelly, who totaled 24 points, had another dunk in the fourth on a pass from Lozius.
"J.J. did a fantastic job of carving up their zone," Shreffler said, "and he had some nice finishes."
Chambersburg's defense held State College to 37% shooting from the field, including 1-for-15 on 3-point shots (Manny Elliot made one with seconds remaining), and took five charges — two each from Lozius and Cornwell and one from Aden Swatsburg.
Shreffler said, "That's really good taking five charges. There are different ways to defend the basket and that's one of them. You can force them to take tough shots and you can contest the shots. And get the rebound."
Lozius, who recently returned from a football injury, said, "We're always looking for charges. When they overplay, we have to take them. I think it made them hesitant to attack the basket. Coach was really emphasizing playing tough defense and getting stops."
"I thought Ari set the tone early with some scrappy defense and he showed good leadership," Shreffler said.
NOTES: Saturday's scheduled Dunks for Drew event has been postponed until Feb. 3 … The event has Shippensburg playing Boiling Springs at 6 and Chambersburg hosting Greencastle-Antrim at 7:30 … The game included only 7 free throws — SC was 3-for-4 and the Trojans were 2-for-3 … Cornwell finished with 11 points, while Nate Price led the Lions with 8.
Chambersburg 52, State College 32
STATE COLLEGE
Ty Salazer 2 3-4 7, Charlie Yartz 3 0-0 6, Xion Nichols 1 0-0 2, Aiden Angus 1 0-0 2, Melvin Reed 1 0-0 2, Nate Price 4 0-0 8, Manny Elliot 2 0-0 5. Totals 14 3-4 32.
CHAMBERSBURG
Ari Snyder 1 0-0 2, Grayson Kegerreis 0 0-0 0, Aden Swatsburg 0 0-0 0, Eli McDonald 1 0-0 2, Stan Lozius 0 0-0 0, Ben Etter 0 0-0 0, Colton Cornwell 4 0-0 11, J.J. Kelly 11 1-1 24, Landon Buhrman 3 1-2 7, Jermere Jones 3 0-0 6. Totals 23 2-3 52.
State College 2 12 6 12 — 32
Chambersburg 7 14 15 16 — 52
3-point shots — SC 1 (Elliot); Chbg 4 (Cornwell 3, Kelly). Shooting — SC 14-38 (37%); Chbg 23-48 (48%). Turnovers — SC 16; Chbg 9.
