YORK — A fast-paced and physical game is not necessarily Chambersburg’s preference.

But that doesn’t mean the Trojans aren’t capable of playing that style.

Sedrick Vessah

In an intense boys basketball game in which the lead was swapped back-and-forth through three quarters, Chambersburg never lost the lead in the fourth period and claimed a 64-56 victory over York High in a District 3 Class 6A consolation semifinal game Tuesday night in York.

The Trojans (15-10) will play Friday night at 7 p.m. at Central York (18-7) for fifth place. The Panthers defeated Wilson 50-47 in the other consolation semifinal. Chambersburg also clinched a spot in the PIAA Tournament with Tuesday’s win.

“In the fourth quarter, instead of taking outside shots, we were looking for the bigs inside or holding the ball,” Trojan forward J.J. Kelly said. “With their press, we were a lot more poised at the end, making better passes and staying strong when they fouled us.”

In a game filled with fouls (50 free throws were taken), it was physical enough that a bunch more fouls could have been called.

Chambersburg coach Shawn Shreffler said, “Aside from who you are playing, you have to know how the game is being called that night. Every crew (of officials) is different.

Jermere Jones

“There were moments tonight when I thought each team benefited from some calls, but I was proud of our guys to mentally fight through that.”

Ultimately, it was foul shooting that helped the Trojans, who made 21 of 28 free throws, while the Bearcats (20-6) made 13 of 22.

York’s last lead was 43-42 near the end of the third quarter, but a layup by Stanley Lozius (on an assist by Sedrick Vessah) and two free throws by Kelly gave Chambersburg a 46-43 edge after three — the first end of quarter in which the score wasn’t tied.

The open the fourth, Jermere Jones scored his only two buckets of the game to put the Trojans up 50-43.

The Bearcats battled to get to within 56-55 on the fifth 3-pointer of the night by David Warde.

“We knew No. 0 (Warde) hit the corner threes, but they have a lot of talented offensive players,” Shreffler said. “We did a really nice job limiting No. 1 (Daveyon Lydner) and No. 2 (Juelz Tucker), so you have to live with No. 0 getting his points.”

Lydner, averaging 17 points, scored 9 and Tucker, averaging 14, had 8.

Chambersburg ran off the next four points on a putback by Kelly with a minute left and two free throws by Carter Fogal at 0:47 to lead 60-55.

Good defense held York off until Jacob Bassham and Vessah each knocked down a pair of foul shots to seal the win.

Kelly led Chambersburg with 24 points, Bassham had 14 and Vessah 13. Warde had 18 for the Bearcats and Jacere Vega added 11.

Early in the game, Chambersburg led 9-2, but York rallied to go up 25-17 in the second, forcing Shreffler to call a time out.

“From that moment on, we started to impose our will on the boards,” Shreffler said. “That (Omarion) Newson was a big force in the interior. But our bigs (Kelly and Vessah) and the guards did well.”

NOTES: Newson had 3 blocks, but Vessah topped him with 4 rejected shots … Chambersburg had four turnovers early in the fourth against a withering Bearcat press, but over the last four-plus minutes had none … Friday’s fifth-place game was originally scheduled for Thursday, but Central York’s girls are playing for a district that day and the Panthers requested a change..

Chambersburg 64, York High 56
CHAMBERSBURG
Jacob Bassham 4 4-4 14, Ari Snyder 0 0-0 0, Carter Fogal 0 4-4 4, Stanley Lozius 1 1-2 3, Colton Cornwell 0 0-0 0, J.J. Kelly 7 6-6 24, Adan Swatsburg 0 0-0 0, Sedrick Vessah 4 4-9 13, Talon Brewer 0 2-2 2, Treyton Sarvis 0 0-0 0, Jermere Jones 2 0-1 4. Totals 18 21-28 64.
YORK
David Warde 6 1-2 18, Daveyon Lydner 2 5-7 9, Juelz Tucker 2 3-4 8, Jacere Vega 3 2-2 11, Omarion Newson 2 1-6 5, Jaquessan Jean Baptist 0 0-0 0, Monford White 1 1-1 3. Totals 17 13-22 56.
Chambersburg           16    13    17    18    —    64
York                              16    13    15    13    —    56
3-point shots — Chbg 5 (Bassham 2, Kelly 2, Vessah); York (). Shooting — Chbg 18-46 (39%); York 17-49 (35%). Turnovers — Chbg 13; York 9.