MORGANTOWN — Shepherd University forward Carson Poffenberger can’t believe he is a senior.
“Sometimes it doesn’t feel real that I am already a senior and playing in my final season,” he said. “It seems like just yesterday that I was a freshman wandering around campus looking for my classrooms. But I love getting the opportunity to bring senior leadership to our team. I know how important that is for team success, and I want to do my best to set the bar for the younger guys.”
So far this season, he has appeared in all 12 games, starting 11. He scored 13 points and grabbed nine rebounds against West Liberty. He contributed 12 points, six rebounds, two steals, and an assist against Pitt-Johnstown.
“This season, we have picked up a couple transfers which have added a good bit of size to our team,” Poffenberger said. “So, I have been able to step out to the perimeter more and get looks beyond the arc and work on my perimeter defense. I’m also excited to have the added depth in the lineup to help dominate the post and rebounding effort.
“I am really looking forward to the remainder of the season. Our team goals are always the same, to compete for a PSAC conference title and make a run at a national title. If we stay healthy and focused, I think we have a great opportunity to do something really special. We have a great group of guys who love to have fun and compete. I just want to do whatever I can to help us succeed and just soak it all in for my final season.”
As a junior, Poffenberger appeared and started in all 28 games, averaging 12.2 points and 4.6 rebounds. He added 25 assists, 22 steals, and nine blocked shots. He had three games of 20 points or more, including a pair of double-doubles against Lock Haven and Millersville. He scored a career-high 29 points against Millersville, grabbed 12 rebounds against Lock Haven, handed out four assists against West Chester, had four steals against West Chester, and recorded three blocked shots against West Chester.
As a sophomore, he appeared and started in all 29 games, averaging 8.7 points and 3.4 rebounds. He added 19 steals, 17 assists, and three blocked shots. He scored a season-high 21 points against Mansfield, grabbed seven rebounds against Lock Haven and East Stroudsburg, and dished out three assists against Kutztown.
As a freshman, he appeared in 29 games with two starts, averaging 4.2 points and 2.4 rebounds. He added 18 assists, 16 steals, and three blocked shots. He scored a season-high 11 points against Gannon, grabbed six rebounds against Seton Hill and Mansfield, and had three steals against Bloomsburg.
Poffenberger is happy with how his career has gone so far.
“When I look back at my career at Shepherd, I really feel like it has gone great,” he said. “I came into a situation as a freshman where there was an opportunity for me to earn playing time almost immediately. Because of that, I have been blessed to play in so many hard fought and exciting games during my career. They didn’t all turn out in our favor, But I got the chance to learn and prepare for what I hope will be our best season yet.”
That playing time has allowed him to improve each season.
“My productivity and contributions to the team have improved consistently over my four years,” he said. “I remember as a freshman when the game seemed to move a million miles an hour. One thing that sticks out in my mind is that every year I play, the game seems to slow down for me more and more. Decisions just become more like second nature and instinctive rather than a conscious thought. I think that confidence along with a ton of skill work is what has allowed me to gradually improve.
“Personally, I have tried to work with my coaches and teammates to develop new post skills every year that I have been at Shepherd. My game has improved drastically since high school. I have matched up against some really talented post players in the PSAC conference over my career. So that has allowed me to get physically stronger and more confident in my game.”
His time as a Ram will always be special.
“I would have to say that my teammates will go down as my best memory at Shepherd,” he said. “I really have gotten to meet so many great guys. And my complete recruiting class has stayed together the entire four years. Friends for life. Without question I appreciate all of the good times on and off the court.”
Poffenberger is not the only Mohigan on the Shepherd men’s basketball team. Brody Davis is a freshman.
“It has been awesome to have Brody at Shepherd with me,” Poffenberger said. “He is a great teammate, and we were already friends from our time at MHS. We didn’t get to play much together at MHS because of the age gap, but hopefully we can get the job done on the court this year together as Shepherd Rams.”
Poffenberger has won several awards off the court, including the 2024 McMurran Scholar Shepherd’s highest academic honor, 2023-24 CSC Academic All-District Team, and 2022-23 CSC Academic All-District Team.
“It’s definitely a full-time job trying to balance athletics and academics,” he said. “Time management is really the key to making it all work. And, also just remembering that earning that degree is my priority. I have learned that I have to plan ahead to find success both on the court, and in the classroom. For me personally, I try to sit down on Sundays and plan my entire week out. Having that mindset is what has allowed me to have good balance. As far as the awards go, I definitely appreciate the recognition for my work in the classroom. Receiving the McMurran Award as one of Shepherd’s top scholars was definitely a special moment.”
He will be graduating this spring with a degree in Health Promotion and Exercise Science.
“I plan to return to WVU for grad school in a health-related program next year. I am excited to be in Morgantown again and part of the WVU Campus.”
