Not much about the 2020-21 season was normal because of the pandemic, and the Chambersburg boys basketball team had a particularly rough time getting acclimated.

Jacob Bassham
(photo courtesy Chris Shatzer)

The Trojans began with a 12-game losing streak to open the season, then immediately turned it around and finished with a five-game win streak.

That positive end to the season and a chance to reset in the offseason has Chambersburg coach Shawn Shreffler more optimistic about his squad’s chances this time around.

The Trojans open their season Friday night in Waynesboro against the Indians in the last of four games in the Franklin County Tip-Off Tournament.

Shreffler said, “Last year, with a really inexperienced team and not having a normal offseason, that really held us back early. But 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.”

Chambersburg returns two starters — junior point guard Jacob Bassham (5-10) and senior forward Nevin Yeager (6-4). Bassham scored 8.6 points per game last year and Yeager scored 1.6 ppg.

“Jacob was phenomenal last year,” Shreffler said. “It’s no coincidence that we started playing better when he became more efficient with the ball at point guard. We became a much better team. He has continued to improve and he can play a variety of roles for us.”

Eli Shearer
(photo courtesy Chris Shatzer)

The Trojans should also get a big lift from the return of Eli Shearer (6-4, sr., guard). Shearer got plenty of playing time as a sophomore and showed much promise, but missed all of last season with a leg injury.

The other two projected starters are senior guard Andon Martin (6-0) and junior guard (5-10) Carter Fogal. Martin scored two points per game last year and Fogal played on the JV team.

Among the key reserves are 6-4 senior forward James Lilley (1.0 ppg), 5-11 senior guard Ian Stewart (played in 10 games) and 6-4 senior forward Noah Yeager (4.1 ppg).

Shreffler said, “Overall, we have more size than last year, but we’re still not really big. That makes it that much more important that we rebound well, including the guards.”

The rest of the roster offers some intriguing young talent and various role players who will contribute.

Freshman Stanley Lozius (5-10, G) could see considerable playing time, freshman Jai’tavius Kelly (6-4, F) and sophomore Jermere Jones (6-4, F), who was the Trojans’ quarterback in football, could also make a difference.

Four juniors will also be vying for playing time — Talon Brewer (6-4, F), Treyton Sarvis (5-11, G), Landen Simmons (6-4, F) and Konner Whorley (6-0, G).

Nevin Yeager
(photo courtesy Chris Shatzer)

Shreffler said, “Of the 15 guys on the roster, I feel that every single guy is a piece in some way. In 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. We have a nice group of seniors, but also some talented underclassmen.”

In addition to the always-tough Mid Penn Commonwealth schedule, Chambersburg will have some interesting non-league events. In the Gettysburg Lions Club Tournament Dec. 27-28, the Trojans open against South Western. They host the annual Dunks for Drew event on Jan. 8 — the games are Shippensburg vs. Gettysburg and the Trojans vs. Greencastle-Antrim.

Finally, new athletic director Ron Coursey has cooked up a huge three-day showcase event Jan. 14-16 called Hoops for Harmony. Chambersburg will play Cumberland Valley on Friday and Cedar Cliff on Saturday, but there will be a long list of other games that will include high school boys and girls and prep schools.