Breaking News
Late Sports

Hughesville boys make a statement as they defeat St. John Neumann

By Chris Masse 6 min read

HUGHESVILLE–As Josh Heiney approached the foul line, his Hughesville teammates stood back and savored the moment. Jeff Fenstermacher waved his hands, motioning a student section which roared all night to make even more noise as the final seconds became an extended celebration.

Hughesville did just about everything right Monday night and became the first Lycoming County team in two years to defeat 2022 Class A state finalist St. John Neumann. Four players scored in double figures and every player made key contributions as the Spartans won, 68-53 and opened some eyes along the way.

“As a team, we know we can come out and take it to any team in the area. That’s just how we feel. It’s just a matter of putting it together and coming out every game and playing like we know how to play,” Heiney said after scoring 16 points and grabbing eight rebounds. “We were just trying to make everyone respect us. I think it’s time we get some respect.”

The Spartans (5-5) have won four of their last five games and the key to earn more respect moving forward is by building off this performance. This was a big response following a Saturday loss against Southern Columbia and the next challenge comes Wednesday at four-time defending District 4 Class AAA champion Loyalsock. So, Hughesville is hoping its big won Monday was not the highlight of its season, but simply a launching pad.

Keep playing the way it did against Neumann and Hughesville sure can be dangerous. Landen King was a force inside and scored a career-high 18 points, while grabbing 10 rebounds and dealing four assists. Carter Cowburn (11 points) also made an impact in the post and opened up the outside for guards like Heiney, Dylan Bieber and Luke Kaiser. Cam Fetterman masterfully ran the offense and Hughesville turned the ball over just four times over the final three quarters against a team which routed it last year.

“I’ve told them before; I’m taking my guys against anybody. They came together and they wanted to fight,” Hughesville coach Cam St. James said. “Southern wasn’t our best showing, but we knew we needed to bounce back and that’s exactly what we did.”

“Coming into this game I thought people started doubting us, but this win proved that we’re one of the most legit teams in the area and that we’re coming for something big,” Bieber said after scoring 12 points and adding five rebounds. “When we play with a lot of intensity, we played well.”

Hughesville had big-time intensity from the start and never trailed after Bieber’s 3-pointer gave it a 17-14 lead to close the first quarter. The Spartans led by 12 at halftime and weathered every storm Neumann (6-4) tried stirring in the second half, never letting the Knights pull closer than nine.

Davion Hill was brilliant again, scoring 34 points, pulling down 10 rebounds and adding five assists. But the Spartans prevented any other Knight from doing damage and only four scored. Hughesville also did a super job controlling the glass, often limiting Neumann to one-shot opportunities.

Controlling the boards was a point of emphasis entering the game. So was getting back on defense and the Spartans excelled there as well, making it hard for Neumann to score many transition points. The Knights never stopped playing hard, but Hughesville answered any time they tried rallying and the energy continued growing.

Buoyed by their performance and the crowd, Hughesville played like a team which had more than five players on the court. All of them working together helped them flourish where so many others have failed against this perennial power.

“I think from the first quarter and on I had so much energy in me, more than I ever had before,” said Bieber, who continues shining in his new sixth man role. “It was one of the best feelings of my entire life.”

Neumann led 10-6 midway through the first quarter, but Hughesville scored the next seven points, and the good feelings were just starting. The Spartans started imposing their will in the second quarter, while carving up Neumann’s zone defense. The players moved as fast as the ball did and Hughesville did damage both inside and outside.

King was a force, going 8 of 12 from the field, keeping possessions alive and opening up the perimeter. There, Heiney drained two 3-pointers, Kaiser and Fetterman added others and Hughesville closed with a nine-point run to go up, 37-25 at halftime.

“Landen is 6-foot-2, but he’s huge. Heás unbelievable. When he starts going, everybody else feeds off him,” St. James said. “If he’s getting those buckets, especially inside, that means our ball movement is there and that’s what is really important. All five guys on the court for us can score and all five guys make an impact. When that ball is moving, everyone is getting a little taste of the pie.”

Hughesville continued cooking in the second half. Fetterman and Fenstermacher each dealt five assists and Hughesville continued getting quality shots. Neumann tried landing some haymakers and cut a 15-point deficit to 40-31 just two minutes into the third quarter. Every time, though, the Spartans fought off the ropes and started setting Neumann up for the knockout blow.

That came in the fourth quarter when the defense clamped down and limited Neumann to five field goals. A Bieber 3-pointer put Hughesville ahead, 60-45 two minutes into the fourth and it stayed that way for the next two minutes. A Fetterman driving basket gave Hughesville its biggest lead at 63-46, and he and Heiney helped seal the game at the foul line.

“We have eight guys that can come out every night and put up double figures. If I’m not clicking, I know someone else is clicking and bringing that energy,” Heiney said. “Basketball is a game of runs. We know if they make a run, we make a run right back. It was about making a stop on d and getting back on offense and finishing the job.”

Monday’s job was marvelous, but Hughesville knows the work continues. More intense labor will again be needed to keep opening more eyes.

NEUMANN (53)

Davion Hill 15 3-7 34, Messiah Baldwin 1 0-0 2, Joe Savage 4 0-0 10, Tyrick Moy 3 1-2 7, Kane Wright 0 0-0 0, Corey Agnew 0 0-0 0, Angelo Fernandez 0 0-0 0. Totals 23 4-10 53.

HUGHESILLE (68)

Carter Cowburn 5 0-0 11, Josh Heiney 4 5-6 16, Dylan Bieber 5 0-0 12, Landen King 8 2-2 18, Luke Kaiser 1 0-0 3, Cam Fetterman 2 1-2 6, Ethan Woolcock 0 0-0 0, Jeff Fenstermacher 1 0-1 2. Totals 26 8-11 68.

Neumann 14 11 14 14–53

Hughesville 17 20 16 15–68

3-pointers: Neumann 3 (Savage 2, Hill); Hughesville 8 (Heiney 3, Bieber 2, Cowburn, Kaiser, Fetterman).

Records: Hughesville 5-5. Neumann 6-4.

Starting at /week.