In just a matter of weeks, high school sports in Pennsylvania and Maryland will once again be in full swing.
While we’re still in the calm before the winter storm, Local.News1 will spend the next several days previewing the teams from our coverage area: Waynesboro, Greencastle-Antrim, Chambersburg, Fairfield, North Hagerstown, South Hagerstown, and Smithsburg.
We’re going to start with boys basketball, a sport that several area squads should be strong in this season. Chambersburg and Smithsburg will be aiming for return trips to their respective state tournaments, while Waynesboro returns a couple of All-Stars that should once again have the Tribe in contention.
In the days to come we will be shifting our attention toward previews for girls basketball, wrestling, and swimming.
Below is a team-by-team preview for each of the seven teams in the Local.News coverage area:
Chambersburg Trojans
Coach: Shawn Shreffler
Division: Mid-Penn Commonwealth Division
Last season: The Trojans cruised to a 20-7 record and earned District 3-6A runner-up honors, before their season finally came to an end in the second round of the PIAA Championships with a 61-47 loss to Parkland.
Top projected returners: JJ Kelly (Sr., Guard/Forward, 6-6, 195), Colton Cornwell (Jr., Guard/Forward, 6-4, 195), Landon Buhrman (Jr., forward, 6-5, 165), Eli McDonald (Sr., Guard, 6-2), Grayson Kegerreis (Jr., Guard, 6-1, 170), Stanley Lozius (Sr., Guard, 5-11, 205), Ben Etter (sr., Guard, 5-11).
Notable: Kelly (First Team) and Cornwell (Third Team) were both Mid-Penn Commonwealth All-Star selections last season … Kelly is committed to play for Ohio University next winter … Long-time coach Shreffler has led Chambersburg to winning campaigns in seven of the last eight seasons.
Opener: Friday, Dec. 6, at York Suburban Tip Off Tournament
Greencastle-Antrim Blue Devils
Coach: Todd Stephens
Division: Mid-Penn Colonial Division
Last season: The Blue Devils strung together a 20-6 season that concluded with a 73-58 loss to Shaler in the opening round of the PIAA Class 5A Tournament.
Top projected returners: Carter McCauley (Sr., 6-4, 180)
Notable: Stephens was named the Colonial Division Coach of the Year last winter after Greencastle won the division with an 11-1 record … The Blue Devils will be adjusting to the graduation of a senior-heavy class, which included three division all-stars: First Teamers Conner Wright and Eli Sterling, and Surzano Solomon, who made the Third Team.
Opener: Wednesday, Dec. 4, at home vs. Mechanicsburg
Waynesboro Indians
Coach: Tom Hoffman
Division: Mid-Penn Colonial Division
Last season: Waynesboro competed to a 10-12 record last season, which includes an 8-4 mark in the Colonial
Top projected returners: Alex Torbica (Sr., 6-5, 195), Farin Parks (Sr.), Julian Mencia (Sr., Guard), Rayshawn Frazer-Hewitt (Jr., Guard), Joey Long (Sr., Forward/Center, 6-5, 172)
Notable: Both Torbica (Second Team) and Parks (Third Team) were both Colonial Division All-Stars last winter … The Tribe will be looking to bounce back from their first losing season since 2017-18.
Opener: Wednesday, Dec. 4, at home vs. New Oxford
Fairfield Knights
Coach: Brodie Garber
Division: YAIAA III
Last season: The Knights were posted a 3-19 mark, including an 0-14 mark in the YAIAA.
Top projected returners: Gabe Williams (Jr., 5-8, 130)
Notable: Williams, a YAIAA III Honorable Mention selection, is Fairfield’s lone returning all-star … The Knights are seeking their first winning season since 2021-22, when they went 12-11.
Opener: Wednesday, Dec. 4, at Fannett-Metal
Smithsburg Leopards
Coach: Eric Gerber
Division: MPSSAA 1A West Region II
Last season: Smithsburg was 22-5 last season, with the Leopards falling 75-59 to Edmondson-Westside in the semifinal round of the MPSSAA 1A State Championships.
Top projected returners: Alex Bachtell (Sr., 6-2, 180), Ayden Weakfall (Sr., Guard, 6-1, 175), Neftali Rios (Jr., Guard), Tyler Ward (Sr., Guard, 6-0, 195), Trinity Wright (Jr., Guard/Forward, 6-3)
Notable: Smithsburg has won three consecutive MPSSAA 1A West Region II championships … Coach Gerber earned his 200th victory as head coach last season … Two of the Leopards’ key players, Ja’Von Tyler and Jacob Tyler, transferred to Mt. Zion Prep over the offseason.
Opener: Thursday, Dec. 5, at home vs. Brunswick
North Hagerstown Hubs
Coach: Kevin Naylor
Division: MPSSAA 3A West Region I
Last season: North Hagerstown played to a 15-10 record last season, with the Hubs falling 64-56 to Oakdale in the semifinal round of the MPSSAA 3A West Region I Tournament.
Top projected returners: Landon Somerville (Sr., Guard/Forward, 6-4, 180), Darion Weedon (Sr., Guard, 6-0, 150), Omar Drammeh (Sr., Guard/Forward, 6-3, 170), Sawyer Radtke (Sr., Guard, 6-2, 155), Reece Strickland (Sr., Guard, 6-1, 145), Khalil Peggues (Sr., Center/Forward, 6-0, 160), Braeden Griffin (Sr., Guard, 6-1, 175)
Notable: Last year’s campaign was North Hagerstown’s first winning season since 2019 … North Hagerstown will lean on Somerville, the only returning Hubs player who averaged double-digit scoring last season.
Opener: Friday, Dec. 6, at Frederick
South Hagerstown Rebels
Coach: Shane Santell
Division: MPSSAA 3A West Region I
Last season: The Rebels were 10-13 last winter, and saw their season come to an end with a 61-41 loss to Linganore in the MPSSAA 3A West Region I quarterfinals.
Top projected returners: Ethan Gyamfi (Sr.), Xavier Oree (Jr.)
Notable: South Hagerstown will be seeking its first winning season since 2019-20, when the Rebels went 13-8.
Opener: Thursday, Dec. 5, at Heritage Academy
