Uttering the words “Cumberland Valley” could be just enough to get a student suspended at Chambersburg Area Senior High School.
Of course we’re just joking, but the Trojans aren’t exactly fond of their rivals from Cumberland County. This sentiment rings especially true on the boys basketball court, where the Eagles knocked off Chambersburg three times last season. The first two losses came in Mid-Penn Commonwealth Division play, before CV pulled off the trifecta by bouncing the Trojans in the district championship game.
It’s a new season, however, and Chambersburg would love nothing more than to crush the Eagles and put those losses in the past. The Trojans will have a chance to do just that on Thursday, Dec. 12, when they travel to New Kingstown to take on Cumberland Valley in a contest that we’ve tabbed as our Game of the Week.
Expect a hotly-contested battle between these two squads, each of whom return several key pieces from PIAA-qualifying teams.
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 we should know about? Send suggestions to Andy Sandrik via email at big_andy76@yahoo.com.
Chambersburg at Cumberland Valley
Tip-off: Thursday, 7 p.m., at Cumberland Valley.
Records: Chambersburg if off to a 3-0 start this winter, while the Eagles check in at 2-1.
Last game: The Trojans pulled away late to win their Commonwealth Division opener 64-47 on Tuesday. Cumberland Valley enters on a two-game winning streak after holding off Carlisle on Tuesday for a 63-54 victory.
Last meeting: Chambersburg last tangled with the Eagles in the 2023-24 District 3-6A championship game, with Cumberland Valley collecting a 48-39 victory.
Meet the Trojans: Few players have come out of the gate faster than Chambersburg’s JJ Kelly, a 6-foot-6, 195-pound guard/forward who is averaging 23 points per game this season. Kelly scored 26 points in Tuesday’s win over Harrisburg, making him Chambersburg’s all-time leading scorer with 1,417 points … Kelly is one of two returning Commonwealth Division all-stars for the Trojans. The other is Colton Cornwell (6-4, 195), who was a Third Team selection last winter … Cornwell, Landon Buhrman, and Stanley Lozius have all recorded double-digit scoring efforts for Chambersburg this season … The Trojans are led by Shawn Shreffler, who has compiled a 388-244 record in 26 seasons as head coach, more wins than any coach in program history … Chambersburg will be aiming for its first win over CV since the 2022-23 season.
Meet the Eagles: Cumberland Valley is expecting another big season after returning three Commonwealth Division all-stars — Nolan Buzalka, Creston Austin, and Aiden Diehl — from a squad that won the district title last winter. The 6-foot-3, 228-pound Buzalka was a First Team all-star and has already picked up from where he left off last year, scoring 26 points in Tuesday’s win over Carlisle … Checking in at 6-foot-4 and 190 pounds, Austin was a Second Team selection, while the 6-foot-6, 180-pound Diehl was a Third Teamer … David Vespignani, last year’s Commonwealth Coach of the Year, once again paces the sidelines for CV this season.
Sandrik’s prediction: Eagles by 4.
