WAYNESBORO – Waynesboro Indians varsity basketball head coach Tom Hoffman was quick to point out after his team defeated Greencastle-Antrim 56-28 Friday night that there is still a lot to play for.
And there is.
The Tribe won the most games of any team under Hoffman in his 23 seasons (19) and finished undefeated in the Mid-Penn Colonial Division (14-0).
Now there are two big games to play against some very big fish in the high school basketball waters (Carlisle and Chambersburg) that will determine where Waynesboro stands among District 3-Class 6A teams awaiting their postseason fate.
“I’m doing my best to not even look (at the district power ratings),” said Hoffman of the current power rankings. “It would be great to get a four seed, but if we don’t, we’re still going to show up. Let’s just focus on Carlisle, and if we get that one, focus on Chambersburg.”
The Indians rolled out to a 23-3 lead after the first quarter and only flinched for a minute or two when the Blue Devils went on an 11-5 run during the second quarter but still trailed 35-14 at halftime.
Waynesboro made five of the team’s nine three-point field goals in the first quarter alone from four different players (Jaylon Bean, Michael Young 2, Ryan Shaffer and Tanyon Shaull).
The Tribe’s lead grew from 35-16 to start the third quarter to 51-21 when the running clock was activated after Waynesboro led by 30 points.
“That is definitely the most in my 23 years.
They mean a lot to the program and to me personally. What I’m most proud of is they came into the season with a lot of expectations and – still a lot to play for yet – we’ve met a lot of the things they’ve wanted to happen. They come to practice ready every day, they’ve just been a joy, all of them. It’s been a fun ride.”
Young and Shaffer each finished with 16 points for Waynesboro. Shaull tallied 12 points and Bean added 10 points. Shaull also recorded 10 rebounds on the night, while Bean had four assists.
The Indians are on the road for the final two games of the regular season: Tuesday at Carlisle and next Friday at Chambersburg.
