Sharon, Pa
The final buzzer let out a loud and poignant alarm on Saturday, signifying an end to the Men's season. It culminated in an unfortunate loss for Shenango (9-21) to Penn State Greater Allegheny, but they looked anything but a losing team.
If you were to wind the clock back to last summer, final buzzers, playoffs, and conference play were the furthest thing from the minds of Coach Bruce Johnson and his staff. They (like so many of us) waited anxiously to see if The University and the PSUAC conference would indeed have a season. Once the green light was lit, Coach Johnson and staff began to burn the midnight oil. They had 45 days to recruit a team to play this year, and in those 45 days Johnson and Crew brought together a team that consisted of 8 freshman and four sophomores to compete in the ultra-competitive PSUAC conference.
When asked in November what his outlook was for the coming season Johnson replied.
"We're talented, and we're also young…..very young, but we will grow together," said Johnson.
The Shenango Lions did just that and set out on and Odyssey that was unrivaled by anyone else in the PSUAC conference. The ended up playing more games (30) than any other team.
"We got a lot more experience (because of those games played) and we grew because of it, I mean you could see it, "said Johnson.
Johnson's positive and enthusiastic outlook would end up being contagious as the year wore on and it showed as the Lions grew to be a competitive force in the second half of the season. A second half that saw four of Shenango's starters finish with double digit scoring averages; D'Montez Owens 18.9, Jashun Cobb 19.0, Christopher Williams 12.6, and DiMarius Hill 11.1.
This second half resurgence saw the team reach new heights. Not only did Owens's finish with his 18.9 PPG average, but he also became Shenango's second all time leading scorer (just behind Cobb), and he now holds the record for most points scored in one game (34) in the history of Shenango Basketball.
"Owens now holds almost every (offensive) Penn State Shenango record after only one year," said Johnson.
Jashun Cobb's season ended with great fanfare as well. He received First Team PSUAC honorable mention for his 19 PPG, 70 Steals, and 61 assists.
"Cobb's season was great, and he played so well on both ends of the court," said Johnson. "Cobb and Owens stats were great, but as a team we also shot the most free throws, we led the conference in forced turnovers, and we led in offensive rebounds."
Shenango used their hands to stymie their opponents throughout the second half of the season. As a team they ended up leading the conference in several categories including Most Free throws, Forced Turnovers, and offensive boards.
"We can build on these things (categories above)", said Johnson. "We can build on so much. We can make more free throws, we can capitalize on more turnovers, and we can capture more defensive rebounds."
Freshmen Malik Davis and Christopher Williams were and will be looked to improve upon their impressive second halves on the boards. Davis finished with 5.4 REB/G and Williams notched 5.8 of his own to lead the team. Williams also led the team in steals with 2.8 STL/G.
It is stats like these and play from team members such as Davis, Williams, Cobb, Owens, and Hill who give many fans and the staff so much hope in the coming year.
"We found something that works for us as the season went on," said Johnson "Our guys just have to get more comfortable, and it will come together. I am enthusiastic to work. We have a lot of work to do, and I am convinced if we do that we will succeed."