When Kevin Anderson was dominating the high school basketball season throughout his junior and senior seasons, former St. John Neumann coach Mike Kirby described his all-state player many ways.

But time after time, Kirby came back to one key attribute which helped make Anderson so good as Neumann often steamrolled the competition. Quite simply, Anderson brought out the best in his teammates. He made them better and, more than the points, assists or rebounds, it is that quality which helped Anderson go his entire high school career without losing a regular season or District 4 playoff game.

He still has that quality today. The University of Delaware has seen it in Anderson the past four years and that is why he was selected as a team captain during the preseason. A four-year starting guard, Anderson is averaging 11.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists and trying to help Delaware reach its first NCAA Tournament since 2014.

“I was honored to be called a captain this year. It just shows my coaches have that trust in me to be a leader and I think I’ve grown into a great leader,” Anderson said. “I’ve became a lot more vocal with the team over the years and I try to lead by example rather than just talking about it.”

Anderson’s collegiate career as followed a similar arc as it did during high school. Anderson has been a four-year starter at both schools and was the quiet kid on a 30-1 state semifinalist captained by Alize Johnson as a freshman in 2014. A year later he earned the first of three all-state honors and, by his final two years, Anderson was the team’s undisputed leader.

Anderson was a first team all-state selection as a junior before becoming the 2017 Class A State Player of the Year. He averaged a double-double both seasons, earned rave reviews for his unselfishness, and he repeatedly shined when his team needed him most.

Not a whole lot has changed at Delaware. He has started from almost his first game there and been a model of consistency, averaging double figures each season. Along the way, the 6-foot-5 senior has grown literally and figuratively.

“Delaware has turned me into a responsible young man, I believe,” Anderson said. “On the court I believe it helped me get to a better pace of the game and I know I’ve been known for making my teammates better. I feel like Delaware really brought that out of me.”

Improving each season at Delaware, Anderson earned third team Colonial Athletic Association honors last year when he finished fifth among league leaders in assists, seventh in minutes, 10th in steals and 21st in scoring.

Anderson started this season strong before suffering a high ankle sprain around Christmas. Although still not 100%, Anderson has played at least 30 minutes in all but one game since returning and helped Delaware win three consecutive games.

“I am very grateful to have the opportunity to play this year especially with the way the world is right now and what’s going on,” Anderson said. “I believe it’s a blessing.”

Anderson shows his appreciation every time he plays. That is nothing new, though. Pretty much since he started playing basketball, Anderson has played with energy and passion. He loves winning, but he might hate losing more, and that determined mentality pushes he and his teams

“My favorite part of college basketball is the competition we play against night in and night out,” Anderson said. “I’m a competitor and I love being pushed and I feel as though I get pushed every night we play to my full potential and I love it.”

Anderson would love to play professional basketball after he graduates this spring. He has done all he can to make himself and his teams better his entire life. Anderson is not ready to stop now. All he wants is a chance and the captain believes he can take it from there.

“I honestly wouldn’t have worked this hard all my life and if didn’t see myself going pro,” Anderson said. “So this summer I’m going to take what’s given to me and work as hard as I can so I can play at the highest level that wants me.”

ACING CHEMISTRY

Muncy (8-2) has matched its best start of the last 12 years and all but one of the players are back from last year’s 9-13 team. The Indians are more experienced, but more importantly, they are more connected. Muncy is doing an outstanding job sharing the basketball, working together and creating match-up problems. The Indians have also emerged as a serious District 4 Class AA title contender.

Muncy’s only two losses are to defending District 4 champions Montoursville and St. John Neumann, and four players are averaging more than nine points per game. The players have formed a collective identity and that has Muncy soaring.

“It’s really important because last year the chemistry is what we were lacking. The tools were there, but there was no chemistry,” Muncy coach Jason Gresh said following Friday’s 53-32 win at Montgomery. “They kind of looked like five individuals out there trying to do their own thing and you worry about that because we didn’t have much of a summer together and then we had a lot of football players competing deep into the season. I think we’re just starting to find our groove.”

PUTBACKS

North Penn-Mansfield has won four straight following an 0-4 start and punctuated its turnaround with a dramatic 68-64 win against Troy. The Tigers avenged a 19-point loss against Troy, whose only other loss was at Williamsport. Karson Dominick, Brody Burleigh, Alex Stein and Curtis Craig are all averaging in double figures, Sam Lawrence has been an assist machine, and Jacob Evans drew a critical last-minute charge against Troy … NP-Mansfield rival Wellsboro also is streaking, winning six straight. All five starters are scoring threats and sophomore Peyton McClure is enjoying a breakthrough season, going for 12 points, six assists and six steals in a 64-33 win over Towanda … Warrior Run was playing short-handed last week, but won consecutive games against Sullivan County and Milton to even its record at 4-4. Mason Sheesley, Coltin Pentycofe and A.J. Bieber all reached career-highs in the comeback at Sullivan before forward Ethan Hartman returned against Milton and scored 19 points … Lewisburg (10-4) has won seven of its last eight games and connected on 12 3-pointers in Saturday’s 70-50 win at Shamokin. Forward Jake Hernandez is having a strong season, averaged 23.7 points in three victories last week and scored a career-high 30 against Jersey Shore … The Bulldogs bounced back from that defeat and downed Shikellamy, 55-50, Saturday. Tristan Gallick scored 23 points.

Dr. Masse’s Top 5

1. Loyalsock (12-1)

The two-time defending District 4 Class AAA champions turned up for their most challenging week of the season with convincing wins against South Williamsport and Hughesville. The Lancers have won four straight and will be tested all week, starting tonight, with games against Montoursville, Mount Carmel, Central Columbia and Bloomsburg. Central is undefeated and it and Loyalsock played a thriller in last year’s district final. Combined those four teams are 29-8. Saraj Ali produced 53 points and 20 rebounds in last week’s victories.

2. St. John Neumann (11-0)

Three times in four nights last week Neumann trailed by six or more points in the second quarter. Twice more it trailed by that much at halftime. The Knights responded each time and the experience gained in victories against Muncy, Hughesville and Mount Carmel could provide a big lift come playoff time.

“This was definitely a good game for us to have,” guard Davion Hill said following the 70-60 win at Muncy. “We really haven’t been able to work our press and other things that are going to come up big against good teams in the playoffs. This was good prep.”

3. North Penn-Liberty (7-0)

The Mounties went eight days without playing but looked outstanding in Saturday’s 79-59 win against Athens. Senior point guard Noah Spencer is building an all-state caliber resume and erupted for 34 points, eight assists and six rebounds. Brandon Thompson, a 6-foot-7 center, can be a defensive eraser, but also showed his offensive prowess with 20 points. Liberty goes to Wellsboro tonight in a showdown between teams who have won 13 straight combined games.

4. Williamsport (5-3)

District 4 Class AAAA-leading Danville snapped Williamsport’s four-game winning streak, starting strong and winning, 59-45. The Millionaires have a big trio of games this week, highlighted by a Saturday afternoon home showdown against Harrisburg. Williamsport is battling Wilkes-Barre Area for District 2-4 Class AAAAAA’s top seed and hosts Dallas tonight before playing at State College on Wednesday.

5. Montoursville (9-3)

Danville was an area streak-buster, also dropping the curtain on Montoursville’s seven-game winning streak with an 83-44 victory Saturday. It was a disappointing loss, but one which Montoursville also could use for fuel the rest of the season as it tries repeating as district champions. Montoursville opened its week with a 54-36 win against Selinsgrove and held six opponents to fewer than 40 points during its winning streak.

Players of the Week

Davion Hill, Neumann and

Curtis Craig, North Penn-Mansfield

Hill earned first team all-state honors as a freshman last year and has not let up this season. He averaged 26.3 points in three wins and went off against Muncy for 37 points, four rebounds and four steals. He capped his week with a strong performance against Class AAA title contender Mount Carmel, scoring 19 points, grabbing seven rebounds and dealing five assists. Craig has played a key role in NP-Mansfield’s resurgence and scored 39 points in two wins, including 19 against Troy. Craig runs the court well, has a good shot which has produced 19 or more points in three of his last four games.

Game of the Week

Montoursville at Loyalsock

This rivalry has come storming back the last five years with Montoursville’s renaissance. Tonight’s game is a battle between defending district champions who have both reached states in each of the last three years. Loyalsock has won five straight over the past two years and all five games have been fiercely fought and mostly close.

Masse may be reached at cmasse@sungazette.com. Follow him on Twitter at @docmasse.