Smucker’s shooting leads L-S to fourth straight win
Smucker’s shooting leads L-S to fourth straight win
Written by: TJ Eck on February 3, 2024
Chase Smucker was feeling it.
“(I) felt good, warmups I felt good,” said Smucker. “So I kinda knew I was gonna have a big game.”
The Lampeter-Strasburg junior guard knocked down four three-pointers in the first quarter, drilled six triples in the game, and finished with 27 points while leading the Pioneers to a 65-52 non-league win over Wyomissing Saturday afternoon in Lampeter.
“He shot well,” said L-S head coach Ed Berryman. “There’s not a player I know that works harder than Chase so he deserves it, he’s earned it.”
Smucker and company came ready to play Saturday. The Pioneers, as a team, knocked down seven three-pointers in the first quarter while scoring 25 points in the opening frame.
L-S drilled nine three’s in the first half and led by 17 at the break. It was a strong start for a squad that played an emotionally draining game Friday night when the Pioneers earned a hard-fought road win at Octorara. There was no hangover effect from the victory over the Braves.
“I was amazed by it, quite honestly,” said Berryman. “We talked about it. I said hey, your legs might be tired. You might not be shooting it as well today so we might have to think about getting in closer. But what do I know? Chase hit all those three’s, Dean (Herr) hit some three’s. Overall it was a great start.”
Smucker added: “We know how big every game is…everything counts for districts, power ratings, stuff like that. So we know to fight every game and we can’t take these random ones for granted.”
L-S led Wyomissing by 20, 50-30, after three quarters. The Spartans went on a 13-2 run to open the fourth quarter and even pulled within seven with about three minutes to play.
But the Pioneers, led by Smucker, iced the game at the free throw line. Smucker made seven of eight foul shots in the fourth quarter to help the home team secure the win.
Aside from his game-high 27 points, Smucker added seven rebounds. Herr connected on three three-pointers and scored 14 points while L-S forward Justin Glick had a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds.
Wyomissing was led by Alex Campbell, who scored a team-high 18 points. Danny Fleischood finished with 14 points while Justice Hardy logged 12 points and four rebounds off the bench. The Spartans drop to 11-9 overall.
Lampeter-Strasburg improves to 14-6 overall and has now won four straight. The Pioneers are tied with Octorara for first place in Section 3 of the Lancaster-Lebanon League.
“I know we are good enough to compete for a (L-L League) title so that’s the goal,” said Smucker.
Leaders from Wyomissing at Lampeter-Strasburg:
Wyomissing Alex Campbell: 18 pts Danny Fleischood: 14 pts Justice Hardy: 12 pts, 4 rebs
