MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Muncy’s Branson Eyer and Mike Fry celebrate during the District 4 Class AA championship against St. John Neumann.

He and his teammates were confident, but Ross Eyer knew his classmates were not.

After Muncy defeated Northwest and reached the District 4 Class AA final in the afternoon 10 days ago, it learned it would play nemesis St. John Neumann later that night. Joy turned to apprehension throughout the school at that point since Muncy had not beaten Neumann since 2012. The Knights also twice had mercy-ruled it during the regular season.

Others worried, but the players embraced the challenge. And then they owned that challenge, leading from the first quarter on, defeating Neumann, 65-54 and capturing the District 4 Class AA championship. The Indians (19-6) won their first district championship since 2018 and host Mount Union Saturday in the opening round of the state tournament.

“When we found it was going to be Neumann a lot of people at school were like, ‘Oh my gosh, it’s over for you guys.’ We were just excited,” Eyer said after scoring 16 points, grabbing eight rebounds and dealing seven assists. “We wanted another shot at them because we knew the first two times were not a representation of how our teams play basketball.”

This championship performance was.

All five starters scored at least nine points, four produced double figures and Muncy played fantastic basketball on both ends. The Indians produced 23 assists on 25 field goals, shot 67.5 percent from the field and responded any time Neumann tried rallying throughout the second half.

This game provided more than an opportunity to win a championship, it offered a shot at redemption. Muncy played like the team it knows it is this time, left the past in the past and produced a performance which had its loyal fans roaring throughout the second half.

“The first two games we definitely played scared. It wasn’t the best we played at all,” Branson Eyer said after scoring 10 points and adding six assists. “This game we had a lot of confidence and we were ready to play.”

“We were 0-8 the last four years against them, but this is the only one that matters. At the end of the day, they can have those. This is the one we’ve worked for since these kids were in third grade,” Muncy coach Jason Gresh said. “They believed. They believed in the game plan. Every single one of these players believed.”

LITTLE DIRK: Mike Fry scored a game-high 20 points against Neumann, producing them in various ways. The versatile guard tallied 10 points in each half, including seven quick ones when Muncy seized control in the third quarter. His ability to take his game inside and outside played a big role and Fry made three 3-pointers.

A key reserve last year, Fry has developed into a strong starter and averages 13.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. His evolution has played a monster role all season and he played one of his best games at the perfect time.

“Mikey Fry was knocking down 3-pointers and making layups in the post. We used our length on defense and offense really well to get open shots and connect in the post, especially with Mikey and Noah (Confer) to create more opportunities,” Ross Eyer said. “We knew Mikey was going to have a heck of a night. He might look small but he’s a post at heart. He’s like Dirk (Nowitzki). He will hit you with a shimmy fade or body you inside.”

CUTTING IT UP: Twice it appeared like top-seeded Northumberland Christian could come all the way back from a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit.

Twice Ben Carpenter helped slam the door.

After Norry cut that deficit in half twice, Carpenter made tremendous plays which restored Sullivan County momentum and paved the way toward a coveted district championship. Those were just two of many highlights Carpenter produced as Sullivan captured the program’s second District 4 Class A championship–and first since 2012–defeating heavily favored Norry, 52-41 last Wednesday at Montoursville.

“It’s a team effort, but individuals shine. Ben Carpenter single-handily took that game over,” Sullivan super sub Landon Baldwin said. “He played amazing. Every single drive it seemed like he was scoring the ball. It was amazing.”

Sullivan (17-8) will try keeping its championship season going Friday when it hosts La Academia in the opening round of the state tournament.

Carpenter scored a team-high 18 points, including six in the fourth quarter while helping Sullivan put away a team which had beaten in by 19 points in Laporte last January. Norry was roaring back and trying to pull within four or five when Carpenter made one of his pivotal plays. The junior guard jumped into a passing lane near midcourt, made the steal and converted a layup while being fouled.

Norry answered on its next possession, but Carpenter delivered again. This time he had the ball on the baseline as two defenders converged. Carpenter made an impressive spin move around those players, banked in a turnaround jumper and was fouled again. The Griffins took over from there as Carpenter, King and Baldwin all hit key free throws to send their loyal fans who jammed the bleachers into a happy frenzy.

“I knew they were going to make a run, but every time they made a run we answered. Ben made a couple huge plays in the fourth quarter when it looked like they were getting back into the game and were close to making it a two-possession game,” Sullivan coach Glenn Vaughan said. “He got a bucket and-one, big rebound. Whatever was we needed, he made those plays.”

PUTBACKS: North Penn-Liberty (14-11) is state tournament bound for the third time in four years after defeating Galeton, 39-21 in the District 4 Class A third-place game. If not for the condensed 2021 season in which only the district champion advanced, this would be four straight state tournament berths … Williamsport (19-5) did not earn the District 2-4 Class 6A championship Saturday but it still earned its first state tournament berth since 2017. The Millionaires, who had won 12 straight games, will play at perennial power Lower Merion, the alma mater of NBA legend Kobe Bryant … Neumann (21-5) will head to Lancaster Mennonite in a showdown between 2022 state finalists. Neumann reached the Class A state championship and Mennonite captured the Class AA crown.