CHAMBERSBURG — Once Chambersburg ran off 16 consecutive points late in the first quarter and early in the second for a 20-5 lead, Cedar Cliff needed to answer.

Seth Gilliam

The Colts tried, but failed to get any closer than 8 points from that point on, and the Trojans earned a fiesty 58-42 victory Wednesday night at CASHS Field House.

The win gives Chambersburg (19-7) a fifth-place finish in District 3 Class 6A.

The first round of the PIAA Championships is Saturday, March 7 and the Trojans will be on the road to play at the District 1 runner-up, which will be either Plymouth-Whitemarsh or Coatesville. Those teams play Sunday at St. Joseph’s College for the D-1 title.

“The vibe in these (consolation) games is a little weird,” Chambersburg coach Shawn Shreffler said. “The gyms aren’t always full and the energy is different. So it comes down to which team wants it more, or is motivated more. And it helps to get out to a good lead like we have the last two games.”

Neither team started hot on offense, but the Trojans got a huge lift from two surprising sources early. Seth Gilliam scored the team’s first two baskets on jump shots, and after a Colton Cornwell steal and 3-point play, Aedan Walker came in to bomb in a pair of threes to make it 13-5.

Shreffler said, “The baskets by Seth and Aedan were huge. They were playing a triangle-and-two defense and once they knocked down those shots we had a good lead and from then on we could dictate play.”

By the time the 16-0 run was over — capped by a dunk from Malachi Duhaney — it was 20-5 and the Colts never really recovered.

Gilliam had the defensive assignment to cover Mohamed Ahmed, holding him to 11 points, and Grayson Kegerreis guarded Jayvion Walker, who ended with 14.

Shreffler said, “The defense was really good Seth did a really nice job and Grayson did well closing out (Walker). They were both held under their average.”

Kegerreis said, “They played tough, and really physical, so we just had to play through it. We’re used to that.

“The defense has been better lately, especially with Malachi back. And I got a lot of help on screens covering (Walker).”

Duhaney had an interesting evening. He made 3 field goals — all of them on dunks — and also had several blocks, including one of the two-handed variety.

Shreffler said, “They were picking up a little momentum and they worked for a good shot underneath (for Ahmed). But then Malachi swallowed it up and we recovered the ball. Big play.”

NOTES: Cedar Cliff (18-8) will play the D-1 champion in the first round of states … The Trojans had balanced scoring — Kegerreis had 11, Landon Buhrman 10, Cornwell 9 and Duhaney 8 … Chambersburg had only 4 turnovers.

Chambersburg 58, Cedar Cliff 42
CEDAR CLIFF
Amir Ahmed 2 2-2 6, Jayvion Walker 4 4-4 14, Aiden Deane 0 0-0 0, Troy Juray 3 0-0 6, Hollis Griffin 0 0-0 0, Garrett Weaver 1 0-0 2, Miles Wagner 0 1-2 1, Mohamed AHmed 5 1-1 11. Totals 16 8-9 42.
CHAMBERSBURG
Aedan Walker 2 0-0 6, Grayson Kegerreis 3 4-4 11, Jarrett Gipe 0 0-0 0, Angelo Onomastico 0 0-0 0, Colton Cornwell 4 1-2 9, Cooper Stockslager 0 0-0 0, Malachi Duhaney 3 2-2 8, Landon Buhrman 4 2-3 10, Seth Gilliam 3 0-0 6, Brennen Smith 0 2-2 2, Daryan Myers 0 0-0 0, Brady Truett 1 0-0 3. Totals 21 11-13 58.
Cedar Cliff                5     12     14     11     —     42
Chambersburg      15     12     16     15     —     58
3-point shots — CC 2 (Walker 2); Chbg 4 (Walker 2, Kegerreis, Onomastico). Shooting — CC 16-38 (42%); Chbg 21-47 (45%). Turnovers — CC 11; Chbg 4.