Injuries, illness and adversity have hit Loyalsock hard throughout the week. Through the storm, Izzy Dadzie helped Loyalsock navigate the choppy waters. Providing the glue which helped keep Loyalsock together, Dadzie again stuffed the stat sheet and helped Loyalsock defeat visiting Warrior Run, 49-32.

Julie Ellis scored a career-high 18 points and every Lancer coach Curtis Jacobson used made quality impacts. But it started with Dadzie. The lone starter back from last year’s District 4 Class AAA champion, Dadzie fueled a swarming defense, scored 10 points, dealt five assists and made four steals. She played multiple positions and her leadership proved as valuable as her production.

“We played very well with a new lineup. We were very supportive of each other,” Dadzie said. “A lot of them don’t have much varsity experience, but we played very well together as a team.”

“Izzy played calm. She was able to control what we needed to do,” Jacobson said. “I was super proud of her effort tonight, keeping everyone together.”

Natayah Abdul-Hakim (1) of Loyalsock and Kelsey Hoffman (15) of Warrior Run dive for a loose ball at Loyalsock High School Jan. 6, 2023. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

A year ago, Dadzie was the lone underclassman in the starting lineup. She also was playing varsity basketball for the first time but became a weapon as the season continued, playing her best basketball during the postseason when Loyalsock (8-2) made its title run. She then went back to work, improving all aspects of her game throughout the offseason.

Just a junior, Dadzie still is one of the primary leaders on this young team with four new starters. She also is one of its most versatile players. Her improved ball-handling and shooting means Dadzie can play both guard positions. She also can go into the post and make things happen there.

Basically, Dadzie is a Swiss Army Knife and Loyalsock utilized all her strengths against Warrior Run, taking control in the middle quarters. Dadzie was at the heart of a 13-0 run after Warrior Run had tied it, 13-13 and again was whatever Loyalsock needed her to be.

“It’s definitely a new role,” Dadzie said. “I try to keep everyone together because it’s a learning experience for all of us.”

Dadzie is still learning, too. She is her toughest critic but also is becoming one of the area’s more complete players. The exciting part for Dadzie, her teammates and coaches is that she still has 1 1/2 years to go.

Izzy Dadzie (23) of Loyalsock is fouled by Abby Evans (44) of Warrior Run at Loyalsock High School Jan. 6, 2023. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

“We’ve always had that one player over the years who can fill whatever role you need on a given night and she’s bought into that. Izzy doesn’t understand how talented Izzy is,” Jacobson said. “She has to stay within herself a little bit because playing within herself is good enough. She’s just getting started. She’s someone that is going to continue to get better. If she chooses the path of college basketball, I think at some point she’s going to make a college coach happy.”

Loyalsock remained happy throughout the game despite Warrior Run’s tenacious effort. That was something Jacobson and his staff have stressed throughout a trying week. And while Loyalsock had a game plan Friday, it focused more on just enjoying the moment.

Each player then did excellent jobs embracing those moments. Ellis continued her big breakout season and was a threat whether inside, outside or running the court. In addition to scoring a game-high 18 points, Ellis also grabbed seven rebounds.

Natayah Abdul-Hakim again shined off the bench and provided a big spark every time she took the court, scoring five points, dealing three assists and adding three rebounds. Fellow reserve Maddie Wertz made the most of her increased playing time and pulled down six rebounds. Being short-handed may have looked like a negative entering the game, but ultimately, it could be a positive as Loyalsock built extra depth for when it becomes full strength.

“I feel like when I come into a game it changes the whole energy. I like to get that fire in people,” Abdul-Hakim said. “I see people on the court and if they’re down, I’m going to be the first person to pick them up and tell them that you’re good and that we have more game. If we’re losing, I’m still going to be the one acting like we’re winning because you never know what’s going to happen in a game. Donát hang your head because there’s always a chance you can come back.”

Julie Evans (2) of Loyalsock is fouled by Mara Woland (2) of Warrior Run at Loyalsock High School Jan. 6, 2023. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Loyalsock embraced that mentality against Warrior Run and stormed back after the Defenders went on a run to tie the game three minutes into the second quarter. The Lancers scored the half’s final eight points, then the first five of the third quarter.

Warrior Run (4-7) was led by Sienna Dunkleberger who continued surging and scored 14 points, while grabbing eight rebounds. Alexis Hudson added 10 points and helped pull the Defenders within 26-17 but Dadzie scored four straight points and Loyalsock again took off.

Abdul-Hakim went coast to coast off a rebound, giving Loyalsock a 38-19 lead in the third quarter’s closing seconds and Warrior Run never threatened again. Not close to 100 percent, Abdul-Hakim showed no signs of the illness that forced her to miss school the previous two days and her determination was infectious.

“I didn’t expect to play but I just had to come and get the job done,” Abdul-Hakim said. “I just want to help my teammates.”

Bella Mileto did that in a big way, shining in her first varsity start. The junior guard did not know she would be starting until late in the day Friday, but played poised, strong and gave the team a lift.

Natayah Abdul-Hakim (1) of Loyalsock and Abby Evans (44) of Warrior Run fight for a loose ball at Loyalsock High School Jan. 6, 2023. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Mileto helped set the early tone, playing a key role in Loyalsock opening the game on an 11-2 run. She scored four points and added three assists in that first quarter before making smart decisions and providing strong defense the rest of the way.

“Bella plays really, really hard. Bella knows what she can do and what she can’t do. One thing she will never not do is take a play off,” Jacobson said. “She competes at a high level every day and she was ready for this. She just did what she needed to do and made some really good plays. We tell them if you’re on the court, you’re on the court to make an impact. She made a huge impact and was extremely comfortable out there.”

WARRIOR RUN (32)

Alexis Hudson 4 1-2 10, Sienna Dunkleberger 5 4-6 14, Maura Woland 0 0-0 0, Abby Evans 1 2-2 4, Lydia Wertz 0 0-0 0, Peyton Meehan 2 0-0 4, Kelsey Hoffman 0 0-0 0. Totals 12 7-11 32.

LOYALSOCK (49)

Izzy Dadzie of Loyalsock (23) puts up a shot against Warrior Run at Loyalsock High School Jan. 6, 2023. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Alaina Dadzie 1 0-0 2, Izzy Dadzie 4 2-3 10, Julie Ellis 6 5-8 18, Bella Mileto 2 0-0 4, Chloe Kennedy 1 2-4 4, Natayah Abdul-Hakim 1 3-7 5, Hailey Berkheiser 1 0-0 2, Maddie Wertz 2 0-0 4, Ainsley Kennedy 0 0-0 0. Totals 18 12-22 49.

Warrior Run 9 4 8 11-32

Loyalsock 13 10 15 11-49

3-pointers: Warrior Run 1 (Hudson); Loyalsock 1 (Ellis).

Records: Loyalsock 8-2, 1-1 HAC-III. Warrior Run 4-7, 0-2.