Her name is Piper Minier, and the South Williamsport senior is the kind of player every successful team builds its foundation upon. She showed why yet again Wednesday night at Montoursville, helping her team win a hard-fought game.

Minier scored eight points, grabbed five rebounds, dealt four assists and fueled the game’s turning point during the second half as South defeated Montoursville, 42-28 and won its eighth straight game. Minier repeatedly picked herself up off the court, made her teammates better and did all the little things which might not show up on the stat sheet, but which are absolutely vital to winning.

“Three words: Tough. As. Nails,” South coach Dean Kriebel said. “She’s completely unselfish.”

So are her teammates and South (15-5) continues surging toward the playoffs. It was a well-rounded performance as four players scored at least eight points. Aleigha Rieppel produced a game-high 11, Lacey Kriebel 10 and Alizabeth Schuler nine. Sofia Casella hit the boards hard and freshmen Ella Moore and Mikaiya Hills both shined off the bench.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent South Williamsport's Piper Minier plays against Montoursville.

But it all started with Minier. The two-time all-state soccer player helped South put all the pieces into place after a rough first quarter in which Montoursville took a 7-6 lead. Minier did not score in the first half, but it did not matter because she set up her teammates and helped them do so as the Mounties moved ahead to stay, 17-12.

Minier is a winner, helping the basketball team capture three straight Mid-Penn West championships and the soccer team reach consecutive state semifinals. She also has helped South go 38-10 over the last two seasons.

She might be the smallest player on the court many times, but her heart may be the biggest out there. Minier went right after Montoursville’s players, penetrating through a stingy zone defense before either finishing or dishing to open teammates.

As is the case nearly every time South plays, Minier took some physical punishment as a result of her forays into the lane, but her determination never wavered. Like Popeye and his spinach, Minier seems to grow only stronger the more times she is hit.

“I just came out with the mentality that if it hurts, just play through it,” Minier said. “I try to play fearless and take pride in what I can do.”

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montoursville's Alaina Marchioni tries to shoot as South's Aleigha Rieppel defends during Wednesday's game.

She does a whole lot. South went up 12 early in the third quarter, but Montoursville (10-10) fought back, scoring the next six points and cutting the deficit in half. What followed was typical Minier and it changed the game. The three-year starting point guard attacked the paint and scored on consecutive drives, reversing the momentum.

After scoring those points, Minier kicked the ball out when the defense collapsed on her and found Kriebel for a basket, capping a 7-0 run and putting South ahead by 13. Early in the fourth quarter, Minier found Rieppel open behind the arc and the senior guard drained a 3-pointer, giving South a 36-21 lead. Minier then went defensive, intercepted a pass and went coast-to-coast for a layup midway through the fourth quarter, making it, 38-23. The Warriors did not pull any closer until the game’s closing seconds.

Personal stats are nice, but Minier doesn’t care about those. Somewhere legendary former Raiders owner Al Davis would smile his approval at Minier’s “Just Win, Baby,” attitude.

“From freshman year to senior year, there’s a lot of different experiences from learning the offense as a point guard,” Minier said. “There’s different people you play with, and you get to know them better and make your team better together.”

“She takes a pounding every day and she never complains about it. She could score a lot more than she does, but she isn’t worried about that. She’s the ultimate team player and I wish I had her for the next few years,” Dean Kriebel said. “On the back our shirts it says, “We is greater than me,” and she is all about that. She and everyone on the team buys in.”

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent South Williamsport's Lacey Kriebel drives to the basket against Montoursville on Wednesday.

That mentality played a key role as South strengthened its hold on District 4 Class AA’s top seed and earned a quality win against a playoff-bound 4A squad four nights removed from an impressive victory against Shamokin. Every player did her part, and all played key roles. Rieppel made three steals, Kriebel scored seven third-quarter points, Moore scored during the second-quarter surge and Hills worked hard in the post.

Schuler played one of her best games this season and was a factor in all facets. The sophomore forward scored six first-half points and helped South come alive following the slow start. She made 3 of her 5 shots, went to the line four times and her strong defense played a role in South surrendering just 11 field goals.

“Alizabeth Schuler played great. She stepped up,” Dean Kriebel said. “She had some big rebounds. She played well; she was diving for loose balls, and I love it. Her teammates recognize that she just played a heck of a game.”

Maddie Labatch played well for Montoursville, scoring nine points and grabbing six rebounds. Marchioni blocked four shots and Ashlynn Loe grabbed eight rebounds. Nine players scored, but South came together and never let any of those nine get into high gear.

South’s embrace of the team first mentality again revealed itself on defense. The Mounties forced 11 first-half turnovers and never allowed more than nine points in a quarter. They communicated well, moved fast and contested shots and never let Montoursville get into an offensive rhythm.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent South Williamsport's Piper MInier looks to score against Montoursville on Wednesday.

“It’s good to get different people in and out of the game,” Minier said. “It shows how well-rounded we are as a team, that no matter who’s on the court or if they’re coming off the bench, we’re all one team and we can all play together the same.”

SOUTH (42)

Lacey Kriebel 4 1-4 10, Aleigha Rieppel 5 0-0 11, Piper Minier 3 2-6 8, Alizabeth chuler 3 3-4 9, Sofia Casella 1 0-0 2, Mikaiya Hills 0 0-2 0, Ella Moore 1 0-0 2. Totals 17 6-16 42.

MONTOURSVILLE (28)

Maddie Labatch 4 0-0 9, Alaina Marchioni 1 2-2 5, Shyanne Klemick 1 0-0 3, Ashlynn Loe 1 0-0 2, Sydnie Stone 1 0-0 2, Nyla Kutney 1 0-0 2, Jill Stone 0 0-0 0, Emma Wood 0 1-2 1, Maya Neiman 1 0-0 2, Kayleigh Sheleman 1 0-0 2. Totals 11 3-4 28.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montoursville's Madison Labatch dribbles as South Williamsport's Mikaiya Hills defends during Wednesday's game.

South 6 11 14 11-42

Montoursville 7 5 9 7-28

3-pointers: South 2 (Kriebel, Rieppel); Montoursville 3 (Labatch, Marchioni, Klemick).

Records: South 15-5. Montoursville 10-10.