After injury to leading scorer, Shaler pulls together for PIAA win over Mechanicsburg
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Wednesday, March 13, 2024 | 3:10 AM
Shaler’s Kaden Orga celebrates a 3-pointer against Mechanicsburg during their PIAA Class 5A second round state playoff game on Tuesday, Mar. 12, 2024, at Altoona.
Shaler’s Kaden Orga drives to the basket past Mechanicsburg’s Liam Owens during their PIAA Class 5A second round state playoff game on Tuesday, Mar. 12, 2024, at Altoona.
Shaler’s Brandon London works past Mechanicsburg’s Justin Bardo to score during their PIAA Class 5A second round state playoff game on Tuesday, Mar. 12, 2024, at Altoona.
Shaler’s Kaden Orga works past Mechanicsburg’s Josh Smith during their PIAA Class 5A second round state playoff game on Tuesday, Mar. 12, 2024, at Altoona.
Shaler’s Kaden Orga watches his 3-pointer during the third quarter against Mechanicsburg during their PIAA Class 5A second round state playoff game on Tuesday, Mar. 12, 2024, at Altoona.
Shaler’s Keegan Set anka and Brandon London celebrate as time winds down against Mechanicsburg during their PIAA Class 5A second round state playoff game on Tuesday, Mar. 12, 2024, at Altoona.
ALTOONA — Shaler leading scorer Keegan Smetanka was down on the court with a first-quarter ankle injury, so his teammates huddled quickly to discuss what to do next.
They agreed to make the best of a bad situation.
“I think it brought us together a little bit,” senior Kaden Orga said. “We saw him go down and we know he’s our leading scorer. We know that’s one of our guys we go to when we need something. So, we knew everyone needed to step up.”
Orga and Julian Vizzoca scored 16 points apiece and Brandon London added 14 as Shaler defeated District 3 champion Mechanicsburg, 68-48, Tuesday night in the second round of the PIAA Class 5A playoffs.
Smetanka was injured less than five minutes into the game. The senior guard had scored five quick points but needed help to walk off after hurting his left ankle in a collision under the basket. He returned shortly before halftime with the ankle heavily taped, but was limited and played only sparingly.
“We had to pick it up for him, and (his teammates) were already saying the same thing,” Shaler coach Rob Neiderberger said. “When I was out there talking with Keegan (right after the injury), they were already in a huddle saying, ‘Let’s go. We’ve got to pick it up for him.’ They did.”
The win moves Shaler (25-3) into the state quarterfinals for the first time since 2012. Waiting on Friday at a site and time to be determined is a rematch with Franklin Regional (25-3), a team the Titans lost to twice this season.
Their most recent meeting came in the WPIAL semifinals, and Franklin Regional won, 68-40. Their regular-season matchup needed two overtimes.
“It’ll be another good game,” Neiderberger said. “We’ll be ready.”
Mechanicsburg (23-5) had two scorers in double figures. Chance Yanoski and Josh Smith had 15 points apiece.
The four teams remaining on Shaler’s side of the bracket are all from the WPIAL. Moon and Bethel Park also advanced with wins Tuesday, meaning a WPIAL team is guaranteed to reach the state finals.
“Since the summertime, people knew 5A was the strongest class in the WPIAL,” Neiderberger said. “If you look at the teams that are left … everyone can beat everyone on a given night. It’s just, who’s playing well that night?”
On this night, that was Shaler.
The teams were tied at 15 after one quarter and Shaler held a 33-27 lead at halftime thanks to a put-back at the buzzer by London. That momentum carried over to the third.
The Titans opened the second half with a 7-1 run that included a layup and 3-pointer by Orga. Shaler’s lead was 40-28 with 5:50 left in the third after London added two free throw.
Shaler went 10 for 19 from 3-point range, with four 3s by Vizzoca, three by Orga and two by Sam Himrod. The Titans expected to have some open looks at some 3-pointers after watching scouting video of Mechanicsburg’s defense.
“They usually face-guard one guy and double or triple in the post, so you have no backside help,” Neiderberger said. “Guys were getting wide-open looks.”
London’s presence in the paint required Mechanicsburg’s attention. The 6-foot-2 forward scored only two points in the first half, but had 12 after halftime. Eight of London’s points came in the third quarter, as Shaler stretched its lead to double digits. The Titans entered the fourth quarter with a 52-41 lead.
Having a senior-heavy roster certainly helped Shaler in a game that required some early adjustments. All five starters are seniors, and three others come off the bench for the Titans.
“We have eight seniors, and that’s very uncommon nowadays,” Orga said. “I don’t know any other team that has that. We’ve been relying on each other since freshman year.”
Shaler started the fourth quarter with a 14-2 run. The Titans’ lead peaked at 23 points on a free throw by Joey DeSabato with 2:49 left.
Shaler was ahead by only one point when Smetanka was injured with 2:54 left in the first quarter. A 15-point scorer who also quarterbacked Shaler’s football team, Smetanka was helped into a trainer’s room where his ankle was taped up.
Once he came back to the bench, it took some convincing from Smetanka before Neiderberger let him return late in the second quarter.
“He’s tough,” Neiderberger said. “He says he’ll be ready to play by Friday, so we’ll see.”
Chris Harlan is a TribLive reporter covering sports. He joined the Trib in 2009 after seven years as a reporter at the Beaver County Times. He can be reached at charlan@triblive.com.
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