Pioneers make another statement with dominant win over Cedar Crest
Pioneers make another statement with dominant win over Cedar Crest
Written by: TJ Eck on January 30, 2024
On January 13, Lampeter-Strasburg sent shockwaves around the Lancaster-Lebanon League and all of PIAA District 3 when the Pioneers defeated highly-rated Class AAAAAA opponent Chambersburg by 24 points.
“I think we gained a lot of confidence when we played Chambersburg,” said Lampeter-Strasburg head coach Ed Berryman.
If there was anyone wondering whether that result was a fluke, Class 5A L-S put to rest any question about its abilities Tuesday night when the Pioneers dominated another highly-rated Class 6A non-league opponent Cedar Crest, 65-40, in Lampeter.
“We knew it was going to be a big game,” said Lampeter-Strasburg senior guard Dean Herr. “We came in really excited to play and try to take down another giant team.”
Dean Herr filled up the stat sheet in Tuesday night’s win for Lampeter-Strasburg.
L-S played an extended 1-2-2 zone defense with senior guard Yasin Abdi out front. It flummoxed the Falcons. Cedar Crest was held to just two points over the first five and a half minutes of the first quarter and the Pioneers forced 11 turnovers in the first half.
“We just played great, hustled all-around,” said Herr. “Yasin and me, the two quickest on the team, got a bunch of steals…it was a great all-around defensive game.”
Berryman added: “That’s sort of our goal. We came into the game knowing that we have to play strong defense because they are a very good team.”
“I don’t care who you’re playing or what you’re doing,” said Cedar Crest head coach Tom Smith. “You have that type of half, you’re gonna struggle and of course, they’re very good.”
Herr stuffed the stat sheet Tuesday night. He nailed four three-pointers and scored 14 points to go along with five rebounds, five assists, and three steals. His fellow L-S guards Abdi and Chase Smucker helped form a three-headed attack from the backcourt. Smucker led all scorers with 21 points (17 in the second half) while grabbing five boards. Abdi finished with 11 points, four assists, and three steals.
“That trio has been there all year,” said Berryman. “They have done a great job. Dean is a great shooter, Chase has a full game…and Yasin does a great job getting to the rim.”
Cedar Crest was paced by senior forward Aiden Schomp, who finished with eight points and seven rebounds. The Falcons drop to 13-5 overall and look to reset after suffering three blowout losses within the last ten days.
“We have to regroup,” said Smith. “We have a huge game Thursday against Manheim Township. So we gotta hopefully pull some good out of it…gotta grow up here real fast.”
Lampeter-Strasburg improves to 12-6 overall and the Pioneers now prepare for a L-L League Section 3 showdown at Octorara Friday night. L-S can force a tie for first place in the section with a win over the Braves. Octorara defeated the Pioneers in overtime in Lampeter earlier this season.
“We play Octorara on Friday so there’s no complacency,” said Berryman. “We know we have a tough game going down there…so we’ll be focused in practice tomorrow and Thursday.”
