By Levi Cressler

The Shippensburg Greyhounds entered Tuesdays Mid-Penn semifinal matchup with the Trinity Shamrocks on a mission. After 32 minutes of basketball, they checked off step one of that mission by defeating the Capital Division champions by a score of 75-60. 

Trinity opened the game in a 3-2 zone defense, something the Greyhounds had seen numerous times throughout the season. Shippensburg got first quarter three pointers from Trey Kater and Erby Weller and a slew of offensive rebounds from Anthony Smith and Graison Michaljuk to sprint out the gates to a 19 point first quarter outburst. Not to go unnoticed the Greyhound defense held Trinity to just 5 points in the opening quarter. “We jumped out to a big lead against a really good club and we defended really well in the first quarter,” said Greyhound coach Ray Staver. 

It was the second half which saw the pace pick up and each team turns trading buckets. Despite having as big as an 18 point deficit, the Shamrocks kept battling. “Each time they made a run at us, we answered back, and that’s a credit to these kids, “added Staver. The Greyhounds got a combined 35 second half points from seniors Anthony Smith and Jeremy Thomas, who took turns displaying nice moves around the rim. Smith finished with 29 points and 13 rebounds, while Thomas had 19 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. “We ran some sets for Anthony and JT and they finished their shots,” said Staver. 

The fourth quarter was full of scoring as the teams combined for 57 points, but it was too little too late for the Shamrocks. “We knew we they got behind that they would start gambling on defense and jacking three’s on offense,” said Staver. Trinity knocked down four triples in the fourth quarter, but the Greyhounds were just as efficient on the offensive end as they converted 12 field goals in the final frame, the last of which was thunderous dunk by Smith to close out the 75-60 victory. 

“I think I had a good game, but JT and Jayden did a lot for us,” said Smith. He then added “Graison, Trey, Erby, they also did some big things that many don’t notice because they don’t show up in the box score.” 

The Greyhounds now advance to the Mid-Penn championship game which will be played Thursday night vs the Cedar Cliff Colts at Milton Hershey High School. “They start a front line of 6’9 and 6’11 and Tyler Houser is the real deal,” mentioned Staver as the Greyhounds look now at preparations for Thursday’s battle. Houser, a 6’11 forward is a Virginia Military Institute basketball commit, who also held offers from Navy, East Stroudsburg, West Chester, and Millersville. 

SHIPPENSBURG 75 TRINITY 60
Shippensburg
Statum 6 2-3 14, Kater 1,0-0, 3, Weller 1 3-4 6, Funk 1 0-0 2, Thomas 9 1-2 19, Michaljuk 1 0-0 2, Smith 10 9-9 29. Totals 29 15-18 75.
Trinity
Skurcenski  1 3-4 6, Wall 2 0-1 4, Gabbidon 9 6-6 25, Schlager 3 5-6 13, Weiand 2 2-2 8, Cooper 2 0-0 4. Totals 19 15-20 60. 
Shippensburg  19  11  16  29——75
Trinity                5    12  15  28——60
Three point shots: Shippensburg 2 (Kater, Weller) Trinity 6 ( Schlager 2, Weiand 2, Skurcenski, Gabbidon)