Once there, they all play big.

Montoursville proved that Saturday against visiting Milton and dominated the boards all night. The Warriors also played stellar defense and received strong offensive balance, defeating Milton, 43-18. Still, it was the rebounding which set the tone Saturday and Montoursville outrebounded Milton by a staggering, 41-15 total while continuing its resurgent season in impressive fashion.

“With us being on the shorter side, it’s a lot of fun getting those rebounds in a crowd of players,” Shyanne Klemick said after collecting seven rebounds, dealing three assists and making three steals. “We definitely compete to see who can get the most rebounds in a game. We take high pride in that.”

The great thing for Montoursville coach Sean Walker and his staff is when their players compete among themselves to win the rebounding battle, it makes the whole team better. And the Warriors (8-5) are so much better than a year ago, already having made a five-win improvement. The energy with which this team competes has gone a long way toward creating that turnaround.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montoursville's Ashlynn Loe (45) looks towards the basket around Milton's Brianna Gordner (20) during a high school girl's basketball game on Saturday at Montoursville. Montoursville won 43-18.

Montoursville was a heavy favorite against Milton and wasted little time showing that it was not going to suffer a letdown after easily winning the previous meeting. The Warriors relentlessly pounded the boards throughout the first quarter and held a remarkable 15-2 advantage by its conclusion. So, despite not shooting well that first quarter, Montoursville gave itself plenty of second and third chance scoring opportunities and built a 13-4 lead which ballooned to 17 by halftime.

Guards, forwards, small, tall … none of it mattered. All the Warriors fought for rebounds with similar ferocity.

Six different players grabbed at least four rebounds and Loe led the way with nine. Klemick, Nyla Kutney and Sydnie Stone all had seven. If the shots did not go in, there often was a hustling Warrior there fighting for the rebound and, ultimately, that led to points as Montoursville imposed the mercy rule by the third quarter.

“Conditioning in the offseason was key for us and we still run as we practice throughout the year,” Walker said. “I told them before the game that we’re made for this. You can see when the other team is gassed sometimes, but we’re not, so we want to keep pushing and keep attacking.”

Different players attacked all night and Montoursville showed how potent it can be since it possesses several scoring threats. The Warriors unselfishly moved the basketball and set each other up for quality shots. That resulted in seven players scoring by halftime. And by the opening minute of the third quarter that total was eight.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montoursville's Sydnie Stone (3) reaches for a rebound over the head of Milton's Maddie Zeiber during a high school girl's basketball game on Saturday at Montoursville. Montoursville won 43-18.

The final score is deceiving as many players in the rotation sat during the fourth quarter, but Montoursville showed again that it can attack a defense with a lot of options. Kutney scored eight points off the bench and five players produced at least six. Alaina Marchioni and Maddie Labatch are the team’s leading scorers but facilitated more Saturday as Montoursville proved that if a team focuses on a few players, there are many others who can make it pay.

“Our passing is better. We’re seeing the court better and we’re running the plays a lot better this year,” Loe said after scoring six points. “We have a lot of trust in each other and that helps.”

“We had about two or three girls who would score last year and now it’s evenly distributed throughout all of us. Our scoring has definitely gotten a lot better,” Klemick said. “Last year we had more of a me attitude and were more selfish. I feel like we’re now playing as a team.”

The Warriors certainly are and that is reflected defensively as well. Montoursville slowed 2022 Class A state champion Northumberland Christian last Thursday and has surrendered just 58 points its last two games. Montoursville rotated and communicated well against Milton, giving up shots at a premium and forcing 14 first-half turnovers.

Four players produced at least two steals for Montoursville and Sydnie Stone led the way with four. Marchioni (5 assists) and Labatch (3 assists) each made two steals, while Loe and Jill Stone blocked two shots each.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montoursville's Sydnie Stone (3) moves towards the basket past Milton's Maddie Zeiber (5) during a high school girl's basketball game on Saturday at Montoursville. Montoursville won 43-18.

“Defensively, we’re coming alive and that’s the thing that’s exciting for me,” Walker said. “If we hang our hats on defense, our offense is going to explode. There’s going to be so many opportunities on the other end.”

A year after going 3-19, Montoursville is seizing opportunities to establish itself as a serious contender in the District 4 Class AAAA field. The Warriors are fifth in the current standings and would secure their first home playoff game if they finish among the top four. They also are four wins from producing the program’s first winning season since 2017.

Obviously, significant challenges lay ahead starting Monday against 2022 Class AA state finalist Southern Columbia. Still, Montoursville is vastly improved this season and still has room to grow and get a lot better.

“We finally found out what kind of team we can actually be. It definitely feels good,” Klemick said. “The rest of our season we’re going to try and shine. We’re excited.”

MILTON (18)

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montoursville's Ashlynn Loe (45) struggles for possession of a loose ball from Milton's Brianna Gordner (20) during a high school girl's basketball game on Saturday at Montoursville. Montoursville won 43-18.

Abbey Kitchen 0 0-0 0, Brianna Gordner 4 0-0 8, Kiley Long 5 0-0 10, Maddie Zeiber 0 0-0 0, Erin Hess 0 0-0 0, Camryn Hoover 0 0-0 0, Addy Murray 0 0-0 0. Totals 9 0-0 18.

MONTOURSVILLE (43)

Alaina Marchioni 3 0-0 7, Maddie Labatch 1 2-2 4, Sydnie Stone 3 0-0 6, Shyanne Klemick 2 0-0 4, Ashlynn Loe 2 2-4 6, Nyla Kutney 4 0-0 8, Jill Stone 3 0-0 6, Maya Neiman 0 0-0 0, Emma Wood 1 0-0 2, Danika Seese 0 0-0 0, Emily George 0 0-0 0, Kayleigh Sheleman 0 0-0 0. Totals 19 4-6 43.

Milton 4 4 6 4-18

Montoursville 13 12 16 2-43

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montoursville's head coach Sean Walker meets with his players during a high school girl's basketball game against Milton on Saturday at Montoursville. Montoursville won 43-18.

3-pointers: Montoursville 1 (Marchioni).

Records: Montoursville 8-5. Milton 3-11.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montoursville's Jill Stone (0) moves into the paint around Milton's Brianna Gordner (20) during a high school girl's basketball game on Saturday at Montoursville. Montoursville won 43-18.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montoursville's Jill Stone (0) looks for a shot around Milton's Abbey Kitchen (22) and Brianna Gordner during a high school girl's basketball game on Saturday at Montoursville. Montoursville won 43-18.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montoursville's Nyla Kutney (22) is fouled on her way to the basket by Milton's Brianna Gordner (20) during a high school girl's basketball game on Saturday at Montoursville. Montoursville won 43-18.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montoursville's Shyanne Klemick (15) reaches for a loose ball from a Milton defender during a high school girl's basketball game on Saturday at Montoursville. Montoursville won 43-18.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montoursville's Shyanne Klemick (15) reaches for a loose ball from a Milton defender during a high school girl's basketball game on Saturday at Montoursville. Montoursville won 43-18.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montoursville's Sydnie Stone (3) reaches for a loose ball from Milton's Brianna Gordner (20) and Addy Murray (11) during a high school girl's basketball game on Saturday at Montoursville. Montoursville won 43-18.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montoursville's Sydnie Stone (3) works to get past a pair of Milton defenders during a high school girl's basketball game on Saturday at Montoursville. Montoursville won 43-18.