Pocono Mountain West enters the PIAA Basketball Tournament as the third-place team from District 11, with a 16-10 record.

The Panthers’ first-round opponent, Chambersburg, is 19-5. But Trojan coach Shawn Shreffler knows his team has a big challenge ahead of it when the teams play Saturday at 3 p.m. in a Class 6A matchup at Cumberland Valley H.S.

“They have a couple of kids underneath who are really good and some athletic guards,” Shreffler said.

PMW also gives the Trojans an opponent similar to teams they have played recently. Shreffler said that of his team’s last five games, four (Harrisburg twice, CD East and Reading) play the same type of pressing, pressure basketball that the Panthers play.

“Plus, we had a scrimmage against Milton Hershey (District 3 4A champion) this week, and they play the same type of game, too,” he said. “I think that went really well; you can’t simulate that with just a practice.”

Reading’s high-pressure, man-to-man defense — which included lots of bumping and some hand-checking — disrupted Chambersburg’s offense in the first half of the District 3 championship game, to the tune of 12 points and 15 turnovers. But the Trojans did adjust, and scored 31 points in the second half.

Shreffler said, “From what I’ve seen, they (PMW) play a lot of 3-2 zone, but they use man, too, and they use some full-court pressure. That’s one of their strengths. They also crash the boards really hard at the offensive end, so boxing out will be extremely important.”

The Panthers’ key player is 6-foot-6 forward Travis Elmore, who averaged 22 points in his team’s three District 11 playoff games.

Other players who have contributed include 6-0 guard Ishyne Pilgrim (9.0 ppg in playoffs), 6-5 forward Lee Mosley (8.0), 5-9 guard Haybert Louchie (5.5), 6-2 forward Shermar Ernest (4.5) and 6-0 guard Josiah Burns (3.6).

Last year, Pocono Mountain West won District 11 and reached the second round of states before being ousted by Plymouth-Whitemarsh.

Chambersburg’s players will have had the whole week to recover from the loss to Reading, including a day off from practice Wednesday.

“We just wanted them to recharge their batteries,” said Shreffler, who is much happier about the PIAA’s choice of CV as the Trojans’ site than it got in 2012 (Milton Hershey), the last time Chambersburg qualified for states.

“I like that we’re closer to home because it’s easier for the fans to get to, and our guys are familiar with the court,” Shreffler said.

NOTES: Saturday’s winner will play the winner of Hazleton (23-1) vs. Norristown (18-8) on Wednesday … Elmore had 22 points and 9 rebounds in Monday’s district consolation win (58-45) over Emmaus … Current Trojan averages: Joel Torres (13.3), Cade Brindle (9.3), Terell Williams (6.2), Tyler Collier (6.1), Seth Brouse (6.0), Tyron Williams (5.6), Noah Beidel (3.1), Evan Shreffler (1.0).