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HUGHESVILLE--Just 53 seconds into Saturdays’ game, Loyalsock forward Brendan Clark went flying through the air like Superman, not caring that only the hard floor could break his fall.
Clark’s effort produced a steal and basket. It also symbolized how Loyalsock is challenges late this season. The defending Class AAA state champions opened the year with just one starter returning and now have none.
But Loyalsock keeps winning and added another impressive victory--as well as a championship--Saturday.
Jaylen Andrews scored 18 points, three players produced double figures and Loyalsock played tenacious defense as it defeated Hughesville, 56-45 and captured a share of a sixth straight HAC-II championship. The Lancers (16-3, 14-0) won their 12th straight game and can claim an outright title if they win at least one of their last two league games. They also capped a tumultuous week, going 2-0 since losing all-state forward Saraj Ali.
"It was a tough week for us, but we talked about it earlier in the season and said we’re a family. We stick together," Andrews said. "I’m glad were able to stick together and get these two wins."
"I’m so proud of the boys. They’re so resilient," Loyalsock coach Ron Insinger said. "They bounced back and tonight they could have come out and felt sorry for themselves but that wasn’t the case. I’m so pleased that the team has really picked it up."
Loyalsock scored the game’s first seven points and an Andrews 3-pointer quickly erased Hughesville’s lone lead, a brief two-point advantage in that opening quarter. Loyalsock started breaking things open with a 14-3 third quarter run and pushed its lead to as many as 19 in the fourth. Sophomores Nate Bauman (14) and Gage Patterson (13) combined for 27 points, and both had four assists, in addition to making clutch free throws which clinched the win late.
This already was a team focused on proving skeptics wrong. Many doubted Loyalsock could be as successful this season and that number likely is double now with Ali out. Still, Loyalsock keeps rallying around each other and doing its best to quiet the naysayers.
"The players that graduated last year always said we’re not going to be as good and we’re not going to do well this year," Andrews said. "It kind of lit a fire under all of us and everyone has stepped up and we feel like we can be just as good as we want to be."
Loyalsock is doing so, not by relying on one or two players, but by everyone carrying the load. In addition to the three sophomores reaching double digits, Clark pulled down eight rebound and Jaiden Ross made five steals, many which produced points. All five have had multiple big games this season as well.
Saturday it was Andrews’ turn.
A player who is improving each game, Andrews ignited a 10-0 first quarter flurry which put Loyalsock ahead to stay, starting and ending it with 3-pointers. He also was strong off the dribble, grabbed seven rebounds and made three steals. Equally important, Andrews hustled back on defense and blocked what looked like would be three sure layups, saving six points.
"A lot of it is everyone coming together as a team. I’d like to thank all my coaches and all my teammates," Andrews said. "At practice they have asked me to step up. They say don’t play as a sophomore. They say it’s time for our sophomores to step up. The rest of our sophomores are doing well, too."
"I told Jaylen after the game that he played like an all-state player for three quarters. He stepped it up along with several of the other boys," Insinger said. "All he needs is some confidence. He’s worked on his skills and that’s obvious. He’s blessed with natural abilities. Once he starts to harness that and realize how good he can be he will be a great player the next couple years."
Like Loyalsock, Hughesville encountered adversity last week and played without two starters and a valuable reserve Saturday. Still, Hughesville had ample opportunities to do damage but suffered just as many self-inflicted wounds.
Hughesville (11-5) had Loyalsock in foul trouble throughout the first half but missed 5 of 11 free throws during that time. The Spartans opened the game with four straight turnovers and never really corrected that issue, losing five more as Loyalsock blew open the game in the third quarter and went on a 14-3 charge. Hughesville did twice cut a 19-point fourth-quarter deficit to 10 but the hill was too steep a climb at that point.
"We have not committed to being the best version of ourselves, so when you are not fully committed to that and you get into a situation that you’re uncomfortable there’s nothing to fall back on," Hughesville coach Nick Tagliaferri said. "Loyalsock played with a purpose, and we didn’t. Until we fully commit and own our mistakes and stop looking over our shoulders, we’re not going to be the best version of ourselves."
Carter Cowburn nearly produced a double-double for Hughesville, scoring 11 points and grabbing nine rebounds. Dylan Bieber had eight points and eight rebounds. Sophomore Landen King provided a spark off the bench and pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds while adding three assists.
"He’s second guessing himself on the offensive end, but that dude makes a lot of stuff happen," Tagliaferri said. "He’s a really fun piece to have, especially when he’s being aggressive."
Loyalsock lost two starters to fouls in the fourth quarter but never broke. Bauman and Patterson went 6 for 7 at the line after a Bieber 3-pointer had made it 53-43 with two minutes remaining.
Nothing gets easier for Loyalsock as it heads to rival Montoursville Monday night for another rivalry game. But this team is making no excuses and it is embracing the challenges. The Lancers just want to keep moving forward.
Saturday certainly was another big step.
"We knew Hughesville was going to come out and play hard ball for 32 minutes. We told our kids the team that plays the hardest and with the highest energy level will win this game," Insinger said. "We knew that was going to take some doing because they’re the real deal and they don’t lose too many games on their home court, so I’m really pleased with the kids."
LOYALSOCK (56)
Brendan Clark 1 0-2 3, Jaiden Ross 3 0-0 6, Jaylen Andrews 8 0-3 18, Nate Bauman 4 6-8 14, Gage Patterson 4 4-5 13, Tyler Gee 0 2-2 2, Will Burdett 0 0-0 0. Totals 20 12-20 56.
HUGHESVILLE (45)
Dylan Bieber 2 3-6 8, Carter Cowburn 5 0-0 11, Nick Trevouledes 2 2-2 7, Ethan Woolcock 2 0-2 4, Cam Fetterman 1 3-6 6, Landen King 2 2-4 6, Brady Snyder 0 0-0 0, Logan Kiess 1 0-0 3, Mason Thomas 0 0-0 0. Totals 15 10-20 45.
Loyalsock 19 15 14 8--56
Hughesville 11 17 3 14--45
3-pointers: Loyalsock 4 (Andrews 2, Clark, Patterson); Hughesville 5 (Bieber, Cowburn, Trevouledes, Fetterman, Kiess).
Records: Loyalsock 16-3, 14-0 HAC-II. Hughesville 11-5, 7-4.