Chambersburg's John Shupp is sorely missed

There's no doubt about the fact that statistics are important.

Being an offensive threat or a defensive standout is certainly something to write home about. But sometimes it's the guys that don't show up on the stat sheet that are especially important to teams.

Chambersburg's John Shupp was averaging just 8.3 points per game to start the season, but the Trojans are definitely missing him now. Shupp, a 6-foot-1 senior and co-captain, has missed the last three games due to an injury. The Trojans have gone 1-2 in that time, and a timetable for his return is unknown.

"John is a glue guy," Chambersburg coach Shawn Shreffler said. "He does a lot of things that go unnoticed for our basketball team, and we've certainly had to make an adjustment to what we're doing. I would be lying if I said that it didn't effect us in some way, shape or form because of the leadership that he brings and the little intangible things that he does."

Prior the injury, Shupp was a regular starter for the Trojans. He was a fine complement to Chambersburg's other post player, Cade Whitfield. Shupp had one of his best games of the season early on when he scored 13 points to help lead the Trojans to the championship title at the Franklin County Tip-Off Tournament.

There is one small benefit to Shupp's absence - freshman Tyler Collier has been inserted into a starting position.

"It hurts in the shorter team," Shreffler said. "Big picture, though - we're getting younger guys more and more experience, which will help us down the road. But it's not something that helps us immediately, like having John would."