Chambersburg 64, State College 58: The Trojans got on a roll at the free throw line late in the game — especially Eli Shearer — and picked up a huge come-from-behind Mid Penn Commonwealth win Tuesday night over the Little Lions.
Eli Shearer
(photo by Chris Shatzer)
In the final three minutes, Chambersburg (16-2, 11- MPC) was perfect at the line — 12-for-12 — and Shearer made the last 10 of those freebies. Andon Martin made the first two.
It was career night for Shearer, who dropped in 35 points, including 14 in the crucial fourth quarter.
Trojan coach Shawn Shreffler said, "I'm really, really proud of our guys for continuing to fight, even when things weren't going particularly well. This team has continued to exhibit the ability to find ways to win."
State College (8-12, 5-8 MPC) held the lead for nearly all of the game and led by as many as 13 points in the third quarter. In the fourth, a pair of 3-pointers by Jacob Bassham (he hit 5 threes in the game and scored 19 points), and put-back baskets by Shearer and Martin got Chambersburg to within 56-50. From that point on, only one basket was made by either team (Shearer on a drive), but the Trojans put up 12 points from the line and the Little Lions were only 2-for-4 at the charity stripe.
With 1:47 left, Shearer was fouled on a defensive rebound and made both to give the Trojans their first lead of the night, 58-57. SC then missed a shot and Shearer was fouled again and made both to put his team up 60-57 with 0:43 left. Jaden Mitchell then made 1 of 2 for the Little Lions and at the other end, Shearer was fouled again and sank two with 0:26 left to make it a 4-point spread. After another SC miss, Shearer was fouled one more time and he hit both for the final score.
Junior Braeden Shrewsberry, son of Penn State coach Micah Shrewsberry, scored 18 points, including the 1,000th of his career, for the Little Lions.
"We're a pretty good basketball team, but we're not perfect, so believing in the mantra of 'We need to get better,' has been echoing throughout our locker room," Shreffler said. "The road ahead will not be easy, but it's reassuring knowing we have a bunch of guys who aren't satisfied and will do the gritty things it takes to be successful."
Chambersburg remains tied at the top of the Commonwealth standings with Cumberland Valley with one loss each, but the Trojans must navigate two games against third-place Central Dauphin (11-4, 8-2 MPC), including this Friday at CASHS Field House for Eric Bender Appreciation Night.
Chambersburg 64, State College 58
CHAMBERSBURG
Bassham 7 0-0 19, Carter Fogal 0 0-0 0, Eli Shearer 9 15-17 35, Jai'tavius Kelly 2 0-0 4, Ian Stewart 0 0-0 0, Andon Martin 2 2-4 4, James Lilley 0 0-0 0, Nevin Yeager 0 0-2 0, Noah Yeager 1 0-0 2. Totals 20 17-23 64.
STATE COLLEGE
Jahmir Urie 2 0-0 5, Jaden Mitchell 2 4-6 9, Braeden Shrewsberry 7 0-0 18, Lake Black 3 0-0 7, Ryan Perks 6 0-0 13, Isaac Dye 1 0-0 2, Jack Morris 1 0-0 3, Kevin McKenna 0 1-2 1. Totals 22 5-8 58.
Chambersburg 9 15 16 24 — 64
State College 15 14 13 11 — 58
3-point shots — Chbg 7 (Bassham 5, Shearer 2); SC 9 (Shrewsberry 4, Hric, Mitchell, Black, Perhs, Morris).
Ella Parker
(photo by Chris Shatzer)
GIRLS BASKETBALL
State College 44, Chambersburg 38: The Trojans trailed by only 3 points heading into the final quarter Tuesday night at CASHS Field House, but the Little Lions closed out the Mid Penn Commonwealth win by connecting on 9 of 12 free throws in that final period.
Ella Parker scored 5 of her 11 points in the fourth quarter and Allie List hit a 3-pointer, but it wasn't enough offense to catch State College (6-10, 4-7 MPC).
List ended up with 12 points to lead Chambersburg (3-16, 2-10 MPC) and Joelle Rheam chipped in 6 points.
State College 44, Chambersburg 38
STATE COLLEGE
Tsarnakova 3 2-2 8, Hawbaker 5 2-2 14, Coudriet 2 0-1-4, Donnell 3 4-6 12, Risha 1 0-0 3, Fry 0 2-2 2, McElhinney 0 1-2 1. Totals 14 11-15 44.
CHAMBERSBURG
Lily Cornwell 2 1-2 3, Ella Parker 4 3-4 11, Allie List 4 2-2 12, Katie Kaufman 0 0-0 0, Joelle Rheam 2 0-0 6, Kylie Miller 2 0-1 4, Bridget Kemerer 0 0-0 0, Titi Kelly 1 0-0 2. Totals
State College 13 8 12 11 — 44
Chambersburg 14 10 6 8 — 38
3-point shots — SC 5 (Hawbaker 2, Donnell 2, Risha); Chbg 4 (List 2, Rheam 2).
