Chambersburg is reloaded and ready for a dominant season
CHAMBERSBURG, Penn. — The 2020-21 pandemic season was difficult for all sports teams across the country. The difficulties of last season had plagued the Chambersburg boys鈥� basketball team to one of the worst records in the program鈥檚 recent history.
With a fresh and ready team after a full offseason, Chambersburg is now reloaded and ready to compete at the highest level. Head coach Shawn Shreffler reflected on the differences of last season amidst the pandemic compared to the present.
“Last year, with a really inexperienced team and not having a normal offseason, that really held us back early,鈥� Shreffler . 鈥淏ut by the end of the year, we were playing really well. This year, with our normal offseason, and bringing back more kids with experience, it should be different.”
It certainly has been different for the Trojans this season so far. Last season, Chambersburg opened with an abysmal 12-game losing streak. Although they started to turn it around at the end of the season with a five-game winning streak, the Trojans finished the regular season towards the bottom of the conference.
Fast forward to the 2021-22 season and the Trojans have opened with a 5-1 record by Christmas day.
The team has had the offseason time to rest up and improve their team chemistry. Junior point guard Jacob Bassham has already proven to be an effective scorer, especially from long range. He will take on a vital role for Trojans鈥� playmaking and scoring.
This past summer, Bassham was named to Hoop Group鈥檚 Academic Elite Session 2 roster.
Coach Shreffler reinforced the importance of Bassham鈥檚 playmaking ability.
“It’s no coincidence that we started playing better when he became more efficient with the ball at point guard,鈥� he . 鈥淲e became a much better team. He has continued to improve and he can play a variety of roles for us.”
Senior Eli Shearer returned to the roster fully healed from his leg injury last season and looks to contribute with his unique style of effective play. A 6-foot-4 combo guard, Shearer has the height of a forward with a vertical advantage over most backcourt opponents and maintains the mobility of a guard.
Also retuning into the starting lineup is senior forward Nevin Yeager. As part of the team鈥檚 starting core, Yeager looks to add some rebounding and inside scoring for the Trojans as they roll on with their hopeful season.
As coach, Shreffler has been a vital part of the success of the Chambersburg basketball program. Shreffler is entering his 27th season as a coach for Chambersburg. He has been a part of district championship teams in 1997, 2001 and 2012, as well as 1996 and 2019 Mid-Penn Championship appearances.
The historic 2001 Chambersburg boys鈥� basketball team got together on the home court for a 20-year reunion in December to reminisce their accomplishment in defeating the top ranked team for the district title, which Schreffler was a part of as coach.
Extremely humbled to be sharing the court, once again, with this tremendous TEAM! Still impressed by what they accomplished, knocking off the #1 ranked team in the state to win the 2001 District title, but even more proud of the husbands, fathers, & people they have become!
— Shawn Shreffler (@cburghoops)
The current team is aware of the rich history and winning past of the Chambersburg family. Upon seeing the very people that put together a championship run two decades ago, they cannot help but feel motivated to bring back that glory.
“Of the 15 guys on the roster, I feel that every single guy is a piece in some way,鈥� Schreffler . 鈥淚n the time we’ve spent with these guys, they are all committed to getting better and have the qualities that will allow them to contribute.鈥�
The Trojans have shown the signs of revival from last season鈥檚 struggles. Refreshed, improved and hungry to win, Chambersburg looks to be a dominating force in Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association Division III Class 6A action.
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