Shamokin VS Selinsgrove, 1/17/26 – Boys Basketball Keys to Victory🔑
By: Benjamin Snyder | SportzWire | January 16, 2026
Shamokin –
– Avenge Home Advantage – These two teams will face off twice this season. Each team will play a game at home and each will play a game on the road. As evenly matched as these teams are, home advantage may be the deciding factor. Shamokin must use playing at home to their advantage to win this basketball game.
– Stay Focused when it’s Close – The Indians have played plenty of close games during the 25-26 season. They’ve been on the winning side of most of those matchups, but they need to continue playing well-rounded down the stretch to beat a good Selinsgrove squad on Saturday afternoon.
– Avoid giving Selinsgrove transition opportunities – Selinsgrove is one of the better transition teams in District IV, and preventing their ability to get easy points in transition will increase the Indians chances at winning expediently. Xaivier Jackson puts up numerous transition layups per game, whether it’s off a steal, or a pass from a teammate. Preventing those chances will be crucial to defeating the Seals.
Selinsgrove –
– Limit Xavier Paul’s opportunities down low – Xavier Paul may be the most physically tough player in District IV. Whether it’s offense or defense, Paul never fails to play with all he has. Selinsgrove needs to limit his opportunities in the paint because of how well he shoots free throws. He can go 6-6 at the free throw line on any given night, and free throws win basketball games when it’s close. Paul must be controlled down low.
– Match Shamokin’s Physicality – Shamokin presents themselves as some of the grittiest athletes out there. Xavier Paul backs that up perfectly, but he’s not the only one. If Selinsgrove can match the Indians toughness, it could change the outcome of this game.
– Limit Good Looks from 3 & limit fouling – The Shamokin Indians three point shooting is elite and it all starts with Colin Steinhart. When open, Steinhart will knock threes down all day long. You can’t leave any of the Indians from three, or they will punish you. Everything goes hand-and-hand on with the Indians offense.
January 16th, 2026
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