Shaler boys pull away from Plum in Section 2-5A basketball game

By: Josh Rizzo
Friday, December 20, 2024 | 9:59 PM

The playoff picture in Section 2-5A will be shaken many times throughout the next few months. Shaler boys basketball coach Brandon Sensor appreciated the opportunity to keep his team’s name at the top of the standings with a win on the road Friday night at Plum.

The Titans clamped defensively to outlast the spunky Mustangs, 63-51. Shaler reached the WPIAL and PIAA semifinals last season but was hit hard by graduation.

Sensor stepped in to replace long-time coach Rob Niederberger and has the Titans (4-4, 2-0) off to a good start in section.

“I feel like everyone in the section is figuring it out,” Sensor said. “It’s fun and wide open. No one has completely clicked yet. It’s making for some good games.”

Plum (3-3, 2-1) had opened section play with a pair of wins after winning only one section game last season. Mustangs coach Dave Pucka said this is a good opportunity for some self-reflection.

“Now it’s time to get back to work and get into the gym,” Pucka said. “We have to be the hardest-working basketball team.”

Shaler built its lead in the first quarter by smothering Plum (3-3, 2-1). The Mustangs evened the game at 4-4 on a layup by Owen Proskin early in the quarter. Shaler then kept Plum off the scoreboard for the next 3 1/2 minutes.

The Titans used the opportunity to stretch the lead to 13-4. Shaler would never give up its lead. Titans guard Deron Nixon, who finished with 15 points, said their defense has excelled thanks to chemistry.

“We all help each other out,” Nixon said. “We are good as a team.”

Plum battled back to cut the lead to 28-26 right before halftime. William Beckner, who finished with a team-high 15 points, made a layup to cut the lead to one. Shaler extended it back to two with a free throw.

The Mustangs outscored Shaler, 19-13, in the second quarter.

“We got stops on defense,” Pucka said. “I think the effort picked up a little bit on the defensive side of the game. It helps when shots fall, too.”

Those shots stopped going in after the break. Shaler guard Jordan Epps found a lot of success from the field. Epps scored 10 of his game-high 18 points in the frame.

Shaler was able to stretch the lead to 42-31 after opening the second half on a 14-5 run. Epps made the final basket of that stretch.

“I thought at times we played tremendous defense,” Sensor said. “We were able to pressure them and get them uncomfortable and taking uncomfortable shots. We had mental lapses, but, overall, we controlled the tempo.”

Mekhi Samuels also finished with 13 points for Plum. The Titans could have pulled away earlier but struggled to knock down free throws. Shaler shot 55.8% (19 of 34) from the free-throw line.

“We have to work on some stuff,” Nixon said. “I feel like we can get better.”

Tags: Plum, Shaler