By Matt Kellam
Due to a Covid shut down, the Shippensburg Greyhounds had not stepped on the court versus another team since the January 8^th win over Gettysburg.  At times the rust showed but not enough to prevent the Greyhounds from winning their eighth in a row, 82-48, over James Buchanan Friday night in Mercersburg.

“We told the kids you’re going to have some rust and not look exactly like you did before we shut down,” said head coach Ray Staver, “but you just have to move on to the next play.”

The rust wasn’t evident at the beginning of the game as Shippensburg, (8-1, 5-0 MPC) jumped out to a 18-6 lead with every starter scoring at least one bucket. But the Rockets fought back led by two-three point shots by Trent Amsley and Garrett Hann to only trail 20-16 at the end of the first quarter.

Coach Staver added, “I wasn’t happy with our transition defense.  Give Buchanan credit, we’d score and they’d come back and get a quick bucket.”

With the lead at 23-18, the Greyhounds got a three from Graison Michaljuk to start a 16-4 run to end the half.  Trae Kater scored seven of his nine points during the run and Anthony Smith added four of his game high 24 to put Shippensburg in the lead, 39-24 at the half.

Shippensburg ended any thoughts of a comeback by tacking on 27 points in the third quarter to lead by 24 heading into the 4^th.

For the Greyhounds, Smith was joined in double figures by Jeremy Thomas with 17.  Anthony also pulled down 11 rebounds for the double-double. Michaljuk added 10 boards.  Jayden Statum had seven assists.

For James Buchanan, (5-10, 2-8 MPC), Jayce Piper and Cade Layton each scored 16 points.

Shippensburg has a long awaited match up Saturday night with the Waynesboro Indians in a game for first place in the Mid-Penn Colonial.  Game time is 7:30 and you can watch the game on www.midpennbroadcasting.com with air time at 7:15.

SHIPPENSBURG 82, JAMES BUCHANAN 48
SHIPPENSBURG
Jayden Statum 3 0-0 8, Trae Kater 3 2-2 9, Jeremy Thomas 8 1-1 17, Graison Michaljuk 3 2-2 9, Anthony Smith 11 2-3 24, Erby Weller 1 0-0 2, Carter Funk 2 1-2 5, Tyler Hall 3 0-0 6, Drew Chamberlin 0 2-2 2. Totals: 34 10-12 82.
JAMES BUCHANAN
Jayce Piper 8 0-0 16, Trenton Miller 1 0-0 2, Trent Amsley 2 0-0 5, Cade Layton 7 2-2 16, Garrett Hann 2 0-0 5, Bryce Hissong 1 0-0 2, Andrew Crouse 0 2-2 2. Totals: 21 4-4 48.
SHIPPENSBURG            20        19         27        16–82
JAMES BUCHANAN     16           8         18         6–48
Three Point Shots; Shippensburg 4 (Statum 2, Kater, Michaljuk) James Buchanan 2 (Amsley, Hann)