NEW KINGSTOWN — Chambersburg extended its unbeaten start to the boys basketball season, but it took extended play to achieve it.
The Trojans brought home a huge road win from Cumberland Valley on Thursday night, taking a 64-62 decision, with the game-winning basket being scored by Colton Cornwell with 3.6 seconds remaining.
Colton Cornwell
Chambersburg coach Shawn Shreffler said, “That was a really gutsy win in a tough environment against a really well-coached and outstanding CV team. We didn’t close out the fourth quarter the way we would have preferred, and having J.J. (Kelly) foul out at the beginning of overtime wasn’t ideal, either.
“However, we found a way in a really tough situation and did what was necessary to get the job done, which is more important than being pretty.”
Chambersburg (4-0, 2-0 MPC) led by 8 points with just over a minute left in regulation. Aiden Diehl hit a corner three to cut the lead to five. Kelly made 1 of 2 free throws, but Creston Austin’s layup made it 55-51. After a Trojan turnover, CV’s Nolan Buzalka hit two foul shots. Landon Buhrman made 1 of 2 at the line to bump the lead to 56-53 with 0:31 left, but J.J. Lebo bombed in his third 3-pointer of the game to tie it up.
Both teams then missed shots, and Buzalka had the final shot, just missing a jumper off the back of the rim.
“There were so many big moments that if you were a spectator, you had to be entertained,” Shreffler said. “It was an outstanding Mid Penn Commonwealth game.”
To start the overtime, Kelly fouled Jared Dolimpio on a 3-point shot to foul out. Dolimpio made only the last of 3 free throws, and Chambersburg’s Eli McDonald scored on a putback to put his team ahead 58-57. After three straight turnovers, McDonald had a 15-foot jumper bounce in for a 60-57 lead.
Lebo popped in another trey to tie the game again. Buhrman scored on a determined drive, then Buzalka made two foul shots to tie it again at 62. The Trojans called a timeout with 0:09 left and Cornwell received the ball on the in-bounds pass and drove unobstructed down the lane to bank in a short left-handed shot for the lead at 64-62.
The Eagles had 0:3.8 left to work with and set up Buzalka for a shot inside the foul line that bounced away.
Shreffler said, “I thought we got excellent play from a number of different guys, whether it was consistent scoring from Landon nd J.J., timely baskets by Colton, Josh (Rudy) or Eli, or floor leadership from Stan (Lozius). Our guys stuck together and maintained their composure and focus.
“We play an extremely tough schedule, so it’s important we continue to find ways to improve while supporting one another like we did tonight.”
Buhrman and Kelly each scored 22 points and Cornwell added 10. Buzalka led Cumberland Valley with 21 points.
Chambersburg 63, Cumberland Valley 62, OT
CHAMBERSBURG
Josh Rudy 2 0-0 4, Ayden Silvestre 0 0-0 0, Eli McDonald 2 0-1 4, Stanley Lozius 1 0-0 2, Colton Cornwell 4 1-2 10, J.J. Kelly 8 4-6 22, Landon Buhrman 9 4-5 22. Totals 26 9-14 64.
CUMBERLAND VALLEY
Patrick O’Brien 0 0-0 0, Jared Dolimpio 4 1-3 10, J.J. Lebo 4 0-0 12, Joe Richardson 0 0-0 0, Aiden Diehl 4 1-1 10, Nolan Buzalka 7 6-9 21, Elijah Volsh 0 0-0 0, Sam Parsons 0 0-0 0, Creston Austin 4 1-2 9. Totals 23 9-15.
Chambersburg 11 12 17 12 8 — 64
Cumberland Valley 14 6 12 18 6 — 62
3-point shots — Chbg 3 (Kelly 2, Cornwell); CV 7 (Lebo 4, Dolimpio, Diehl, Buzalka).