Trojans best Mifflin County in return to old gym
CHAMBERSBURG - The Chambersburg boys basketball team has been waiting to play in the old auxiliary gym since they were little.
And despite talks of scheduling a game for a special occasion, it took the threat of a massive snowstorm for Chambersburg basketball to return to its old home.
And the team wasn't going to let that opportunity to go to waste.
In the first varsity basketball game to be held in the old auxiliary gym since 2009, Chambersburg defeated Mifflin County 57-42 in a Mid Penn Commonwealth Division matchup.
"We were excited to play in the gym because we used to go to games held in there all the time when we were kids," Chambersburg's Cole Christian said. "We've always wanted to play in there, and we got one chance to do it and we won."
Communication was difficult in the old gym, where noise bellows through the bleachers, creating a bit of chaos and bad turnovers as the teams got used to the new atmosphere.
After a tight first quarter, Mifflin County (1-14, 0-10 MPC) challenged Chambersburg in the second frame, capitalizing on Trojans fouls and shooting trouble. Chambersburg shot 3-10 in the second quarter, with Cota Heckman emerging off the bench as the team's only scorer in that frame with seven points, including a 3-pointer in the final minute of the half to allow the Trojans to regain a narrow lead at halftime.
But that's all Chambersburg (7-9, 4-7 MPC) would give the Huskies.
"We wanted to win every quarter, but we had some communication issues (in the second), but we figured it out at halftime and came out ready to play," Christian said. "We've been on a bit of a losing skid, so we needed a good team win."
Chambersburg had lost seven straight before Thursday.
Chambersburg outscored the Huskies 35-21 in the final two frames, including a 12-4 run to end the game.
"It was sloppy, but the kids really bounced back after halftime, took much better care of the ball and played much better defense," Chambersburg coach Shawn Shreffler said. "In the second half we did a much better job defending without fouling, which led to some turnovers, rebounds and easy buckets in transition."
Christian led the Trojans with 20 points, working hard in the fourth quarter to put 11 points on the board. He also had 11 rebounds and two steals. ByShawn Mincie was the next leading scorer with nine points, while Cade Brindle scored eight off the bench. Evan Shreffler had six assists.
"They have a lot of guys who can shoot the ball," Mifflin County coach Dave Sheetz said. "We didn't make some plays that they made and that's where we get down a little bit, but that's coming.
"We know it's a grind in the Mid Penn Commonwealth, but the big thing is to make sure these guys know that they can compete."
Mifflin County landed two scorers in double figures - Mason Snyder scored 16 points and had seven rebounds, and Peyton Reesman scored 12 points.
Chambersburg 57, Mifflin County 42
Mifflin County (42)
Mason Snyder 6 3-6 16, Mitch Gardner 2 1-2 5, Ryan Walker 1 2-3 5, Peyton Reeseman 4 4-6 12, Logan Peachey 0 0-0 0, Nelson Cook 0 0-0 0, Caleb Vega 1 0-0 2, Drew Westover 0 0-0 0, Nate Bargo 1 0-0 2. Totals — 15 10-17 42.
Chambersburg (57)
Cole Christian 7 5-7 20, Tyler Collier 1 2-2 4, Evan Shreffler 0 1-2 1, Cade Whitfield 2 1-6 5, ByShawn Mincie 3 2-2 9, Cade Brindle 2 2-4 8, Joel Torres 1 0-0 2, Carlin Christian 0 0-0 0, Cota Heckman 3 0-0 7, Ezechiel Cadet 0 0-0 0, Seth Brouse 0 0-0 0. Totals — 19 13-23 57.
Mifflin County _ 11 _ 10 _ 13 _ 8 _ — _ 42
Chambersburg _15 _ 7 _ 18 _ 17 _ — _ 57
3-point goals — MC 2 (Snyder, Walker), Chbg 6 (Christian 2, Brindle 2, Mincie, Heckman).
JV score — Chambersburg 62, Mifflin County 20. Chambersburg put four players in double figures. Zyshoon Burch and Joel Torres each scored 11 points, while Clay Meyers and Will Harriger each scored 10 to lead the Trojans to victory.