Making it to the state tournament is no easy task, in any sport.
But for the Chambersburg boys basketball team — set to compete in the PIAA 6A Championships for the fourth-straight season this weekend — the achievement has become remarkably routine.
After years of being a regular in the tournament, Chambersburg’s boys basketball program would love to do something it has never done before: Win a state title.
The Trojans’ journey for gold begins on Saturday, when they host a first-round contest against District 11 rep Whitehall. Chambersburg, led by scoring machine JJ Kelly, is hoping for a packed house and big win when the Zephyrs invade Franklin County this weekend. Whitehall won’t go easy, though, not with 6-foot-7 senior center AJ Hines roaming the floor.
We’ve selected this high-stakes matchup as our Game of the Week.
In the weeks and months to come throughout the high school sports season, we plan on spotlighting multiple teams and sports with our Game of the Week. Any big upcoming games or meets we should know about? Send suggestions to Andy Sandrik via email at [email protected].
PIAA 6A Championships First Round
Whitehall at Chambersburg
Tip-Off: Saturday, 5 p.m., at Chambersburg
Records: The Trojans enter with a 19-6 record, while Whitehall checks in at 19-8
Last game: Chambersburg lost 60-55 in overtime to Governor Mifflin in the District 3-6A Third-Place game, while the Zephrys are coming off a 62-60 loss to William Allen in the District 11-6A Third-Place game.
What’s at stake: The winner moves on to the second round of states against either District 12 champion Imhotep (23-5) or District 1 eighth-place rep Central Bucks East (15-11).
Meet the Zephyrs: Whitehall is led by Jeff Jones, who is in 18th season as head coach … The Zephrys competed to a 7-3 record in the EPC Lehigh Division this winter for third place … Whitehall’s offense runs primarily through senior AJ Hines and junior Seth Hoderewski … Hines, a 6-foot-7 center, is averaging 16.7 points per game, while Hoderewski, a 6-foot guard, is pouring in 10.4 points a night … Mason Roberts, a 5-foot-9 senior guard, averages 8.5 points per game, and leads the Zephyrs with 37 3-pointers this season … Talon Dogmanits is a 5-foot-11 sophomore guard who is scoring 9.9 points per game, and leads a group of support players that includes Tanner Dogmanits (6.3 ppg), Dominic Gonzalez (3.1 ppg), and Cole Richards (2.2 ppg).
Meet the Trojans: Head coach Shawn Shreffler and the Trojans are in the PIAA tourney for the fourth-straight season … Chambersburg played to an 11-3 record in the Mid-Penn Commonwealth Division for third place … JJ Kelly, a 6-foot-6 senior guard, is the biggest threat in the Chambersburg offense, with the Ohio University recruit averaging 22.9 points per game … Kelly is supported on the floor by a couple of juniors: Landon Buhrman and Colton Cornwell … Buhrman, a 6-foot-6 forward, is posting 12.0 points per game, while Cornwell is averaging 11.2 points per contest … Kelly (1st Team), Buhrman (3rd Team), and Cornwell (3rd Team) were all recently named to the Mid-Penn Commonwealth Division All-Star Team … Look for several other Trojans to record meaningful minutes on Saturday, including Stanley Lozius (4.2 ppg), Eli McDonald (4.0 ppg), Josh Rudy (3.1 ppg), Ayden Sylvestre (1.8 ppg), Tyrell Hawkins (1.2 ppg), and Ben Etter (1.1 ppg) … Chambersburg will be aiming to advance past the first round of states for the third year in a row.
Prediction: Chambersburg by 6.
