Zeps Boys Basketball Week of January 20, 2025
Shenandoah Zeps Secure
Dominant Victory Over River Pilots
By Justin Carpenter
The Shenandoah Zeps boys’ basketball team returned to the win column in emphatic fashion Friday night, taking down the River Pilots, 76-54, in front of an energized home crowd. The victory marked the Zeps’ sixth win of the season and knocked the Pilots back to an even 7-7 on the year.
The Zeps were firing on all cylinders offensively, led by the dynamic duo of Carsten Smith and “Action Braxton” Barnett. Smith was red-hot from beyond the arc, sinking five three-pointers en route to a team-high 21 points. Barnett matched his total with a mix of strong drives to the basket and mid-range jumpers, as the pair combined for 42 points to anchor Shenandoah’s scoring.
Complementing their efforts, Colten McElfresh added 15 points with his trademark tough play in the paint, while Jarrett Wentworth chipped in 11 points to give the Zeps four players in double figures. The balanced attack proved too much for the Pilots, as Shenandoah took control early and never let up.
Defensively, the Zeps limited River’s opportunities, closing out on shooters and dominating the boards to prevent second-chance points. The Pilots struggled to find consistency, while Shenandoah’s relentless pace and sharp execution on offense steadily extended the lead.
The win showcased the Zeps’ potential when their key players are clicking, and it provided a much-needed boost to their record as they improved to 6-8 on the season.
Up next, the Zeps faced a quick turnaround, preparing for a Saturday home tilt against the red-hot Coshocton Redskins, who entered the matchup with an impressive 10-2 record. The challenge will be significant, but Friday’s dominant showing gives Shenandoah plenty of momentum as they look to build on their strong performance.
Stay tuned for updates on the Zeps’ showdown against Coshocton and their pursuit of another big win.
Shenandoah Zeps Fall Short in
High-Scoring Thriller Against Coshocton Redskins
By Justin Carpenter
The Shenandoah Zeps welcomed the Coshocton Redskins to their home court on Friday night, hoping to derail a team seeking its 12th win of the season. Despite a blazing start from the Zeps, the Redskins found their rhythm and delivered a dominant second-half performance, pulling away for an 86-73 victory in a high-scoring affair.
The Zeps wasted no time asserting themselves, roaring out of the gate to a 24-16 lead by the end of the first quarter. Fueled by sharp ball movement and timely shooting, Shenandoah had the home crowd buzzing early. However, the Redskins adjusted quickly, finding their groove from beyond the arc in the second quarter, hitting a barrage of three-pointers to claw back into the game.
By halftime, Coshocton had trimmed Shenandoah’s lead to just four points, setting the stage for a tightly contested second half. Leading the charge for the Zeps was Carsten Smith, who delivered another stellar performance, dropping 24 points, including five three-pointers. “Action Braxton” continued his impressive midseason form, scoring 15 points in the first half and finishing with 18 for the game. Jarrett Wentworth added a spark with his best outing of the season, contributing 18 points and connecting on key shots in the second half.
Despite the Zeps’ best efforts, the Redskins took control midway through the third quarter and never relinquished the lead. Their balanced offensive attack overwhelmed Shenandoah, with Coshocton showcasing their depth and poise down the stretch. The Zeps struggled to keep up with the Redskins’ relentless pace, as Coshocton closed out the game with a flurry of buckets to secure the win.
Shenandoah will now shift its focus to another formidable challenge as they head to Caldwell to take on their Noble County rivals, the Caldwell Redskins. Caldwell boasts an impressive 13-1 record, continuing the Zeps’ grueling stretch of facing double-digit-win teams.
While the loss to Coshocton stings, the Zeps showed flashes of brilliance, and with their resilience, they’ll look to bounce back in what promises to be another intense matchup.
Shenandoah Zeps Overwhelmed by Dominant Monroe Central
By Justin Carpenter
The Shenandoah Zeps boys’ basketball team faced a tough challenge at home on Tuesday night, falling to a dominant Monroe Central squad, 64-26. The visiting Seminoles put on a display of size, athleticism, and scoring prowess, thrilling their traveling fans with an array of highlight-reel plays, including several emphatic dunks.
Monroe Central wasted no time establishing their dominance, jumping out to a commanding lead in the first half. Their defense stifled the Zeps, while their offense operated with precision. By halftime, the Seminoles had built an imposing 33-8 lead, effectively putting the game out of reach.
The Zeps struggled to find offensive rhythm throughout the game, with only Colten McElfresh reaching double figures. McElfresh led Shenandoah with 11 points, battling hard against a relentless Monroe Central defense.
On the other hand, Monroe Central showcased their balanced attack, with multiple players contributing on both ends of the floor. The win improves their record to an impressive 11-2, solidifying their position as one of the top teams in the area.
For Shenandoah, the loss drops their record to 5-7, and the road ahead doesn’t get any easier. The Zeps now turn their attention to a challenging road matchup against the 10-3 Toronto Red Knights on Wednesday.
As the Zeps aim to rebound from this tough loss, fans can look forward to detailed coverage of their next game against Toronto in the Zeps vs. Red Knights article.
Shenandoah Zeps Fall to Toronto Red Knights in Hard-Fought Contest
By Justin Carpenter
The Shenandoah Zeps boys’ basketball team traveled to Toronto High School on Wednesday to face the Red Knights in a game that showcased grit, determination, and a tightly contested battle—at least for most of the evening. Despite a promising start, the Zeps ultimately fell to the Red Knights, 58-42, in a game that was closer than the final score suggested.
Coming into the matchup, Toronto boasted a strong squad that had been consistent throughout the season, making them a tough opponent for the visiting Zeps. However, Shenandoah wasted no time asserting themselves, jumping out to a 9-2 lead by the end of the first quarter. Carsten Smith’s sharp shooting and Colten McElfresh’s strong inside play gave the Zeps the early edge, and their defense stifled Toronto’s offense.
The Red Knights, however, proved relentless. They chipped away at the lead in the second quarter, ramping up their intensity on both ends of the floor. By halftime, the game was still competitive, with Shenandoah clinging to a narrow lead.
The turning point came early in the third quarter, with just under six minutes remaining. Toronto’s defense began to clamp down, forcing the Zeps into turnovers and rushed shots. Meanwhile, the Red Knights found their rhythm offensively, executing in transition and capitalizing on second-chance opportunities. What had been a close game suddenly began to tilt heavily in Toronto’s favor.
Despite a strong 16-point effort from Carsten Smith, who led all Zeps scorers, and a solid 13-point performance from Colten McElfresh, Shenandoah could not recover as the Red Knights pulled away in the fourth quarter. The Zeps’ offense struggled to find consistent scoring down the stretch, while Toronto continued to build momentum, sealing the victory with a decisive final run.
The loss dropped the Zeps to 5-8 on the season, a frustrating result considering their strong effort for much of the game. While the scoreboard might have indicated a blowout, the Zeps’ performance for three quarters showed their potential and competitiveness against a quality opponent.
Shenandoah looked to bounce back on Friday night when they hosted the 7-6 River Pilots. With Smith and McElfresh leading the way, the Zeps aimed to put this loss behind them and return to the win column. Stay tuned for updates on the Zeps vs. Pilots showdown as the season heats up.
Ada Miley was crowned 2025 Shenandoah High School Sweetheart Queen this weekend.
