H.S. EXTRA: Notebook, G-A highest in area rankings

Nearing the middle of the winter season, Greencastle-Antrim has emerged as the top contender in both boys and girls basketball.

According to the District 3 rankings, the Blue Devils' girls team is the highest-ranked team in Franklin County. The defending Class AAA champion, Greencastle is currently ranked eighth. The boys are just a spot behind in ninth place in Class AAAA.

Also in Class AAAA, Chambersburg's boys team is doing quite well - the Trojans are ranked 13th - while Shippensburg currently sits just outside of playoff contention in 22nd. The top 20 teams in AAAA make the postseason.

James Buchanan's boys team is also sitting pretty; it is ranked No. 14 in Class AAA, where the top 18 teams advance.

The Rockets are also the top girls team after Greencastle. They are currently at No. 24 in Class AAA.

MAT ACTION >> Shippensburg's wrestling team is ranked 10th in Class AAA. But most wrestling teams are just now hitting the meat of their dual meet season, both in league matches and dual-meet tournaments.

This Saturday, Chambersburg (at Wilson), Greencastle-Antrim (at Annville-Cleona's Dutchman Duals) and James Buchanan (at Everett's Bloody Run Duals) will pack in some dual matches. Waynesboro competes at the Hub Cup individual tournament and Mercersburg Academy wrestles at the Bissell Invitational..

Then next weekend, Shippensburg is at the Gettysburg Duals, Waynesboro hosts its own duals tournament, Mercersburg competes at the Capitol Duals, and Chambersburg heads to the Escape the Rock Tournament at Council Rock South.

In District 3, the last date for dual competitions to count toward the power rankings is Jan. 30, and the preliminary round is scheduled for Feb. 2.

SHUPP IS SORELY MISSED >> 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 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.

1,000 POINT WATCH >> There have already been two players in Franklin and Fulton counties to reach the 1,000-point milestone this season, and there are two more on the horizon.

Before Thursday's games, Southern Fulton junior Olivia Mottern was a mere 22 points away from the mark. Greencastle's Hannah Crist is currently sitting at 950 points.