Those moments stood out for two reasons: First, it served as a metaphor for the heights this resilient team has climbed. Even more striking was it being the first thing these determined players did as individuals all night.

And that is because it was by working together as one fantastic unit that South became District 4 Class AA’s best team.

Lacey Kriebel scored a career-high 26 points, the defense dominated, and every Mountie perfectly played her role as South routed Line Mountain, 49-19 while capturing the District 4 championship Thursday at Milton. The Mounties (20-5) never trailed, brilliantly executed their game plan on both ends and won the program’s fifth district title, its first since 2009, after suffering a heartbreaking defeat in last year’s final.

“Last year we came up just short, so we were hungry. We wanted that gold medal so bad,” Kriebel said. “We’ve been practicing so hard and working hard all season for this.”

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent South Williamsport's Alizabeth Schuler plays defense against Line Mountain during the District 4 Class AA championship game.

“It took a little while for it to set in and to realize what we had done, but it’s a great feeling, especially after not getting it last year,” forward Sofia Casella said after playing one of her best games. “We really played great tonight and we deserved it.”

They sure did.

South, which likely will host a first-round game against District 3’s fourth-place finisher in states, destroyed three straight playoff opponents, outscoring them by 79 combined points. The Mounties mercy ruled two of those teams and this was the second straight game in which the starters allowed fewer than 20 points. Doing so also helped South reach 20 wins for a second consecutive season.

There were some bumps in the road and some gut-wrenching defeats early in the season when South started 7-5. But this team has developed an unbreakable bond, played its best basketball at the perfect time and left its mark on program history.

“It’s amazing,” Aleigha Rieppel said after scoring eight points and dealing seven assists. “I never thought we’d get back here, but I’m so glad that we did.”

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent South Williamsport's Ella Moore bites her gold medal after winning the District 4 Class AA championship against Line Mountain.

“I’m extremely proud of the group effort,” first-year South coach Dean Kriebel said. “Every player did her part. Everybody rebounded and everybody played defense. It was phenomenal.”

So was the way his daughter shot the ball.

Line Mountain played an extended zone defense and tried its best to keep tabs on Lacey Kriebel, but South’s constant player and ball motion prevented that from happening. Kriebel looked like a prime Reggie Miller moving without the basketball and her teammates kept finding her open.

After Rieppel opened the scoring with a 3-pointer, Kriebel made four straight and South led 15-0 less than five minutes into the game. The Eagles never pulled closer than 11 again. Kriebel kept going too, adding another 3-pointer in the second quarter as South went ahead, 23-7 at halftime.

Line Mountain was starting to gain some momentum when it scored the second half’s first three points, but Kriebel unleashed a quick 3-point barrage which would make Steph Curry smile, and the Eagles were down for the count. The sophomore sharpshooter drained three consecutive treys in a 2 minute, 20-second span as South pushed its lead to 33-14.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent South Williamsport's Lacey Kriebel looks to shoot against Line Mountain during Thursday's District 4 Class AA championship game.

Rieppel added two more 3-pointers and South finished with 10. So lethal were the Mounties from outside, going 7 for 11 in the first half and 10 of 15 the first three quarters, that their first two-point field goal did not come until 1:57 remained in the third quarter.

“I was feeling awesome. I wasn’t expecting to come out and just get open 3s, but I did,” Kriebel said. “My teammates kept feeding me by penetrating and kicking, so it’s a credit to them.”

The way South was playing relentless defense, those 3-pointers started feeling more like 10-pointers. The Mounties surrendered just six field goals and none over the game’s last 10 minutes. They also forced seven first quarter turnovers and Kriebel and Casella combined for six steals.

And South worked its offense in a way which would make fictional Hickory Huskers coach Norman Dale envious. The Mounties pushed the ball when the opportunities came, but when they did not, they simply kept working until the right shot presented itself. When Line Mountain did its best to take away the 3-pointer, South moved its attack inside.

Casella was a force in the third quarter, scoring seven points while helping South take a 43-18 lead into the final quarter. Alizabeth Schuler (3 blocks) combined with Casella to provide South a strong post presence and Rieppel, Kriebel, and Piper Minier (4 assists) effectively located them in the paint.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent South Williamsport players celebrate after defeating Line Mountain to win the District 4 Class AA championship.

With the perimeter and inside games working so well together, South seemingly could do no wrong in the third quarter. The Mounties made 7 of 10 shots that quarter, never put up a bad shot and dropped the hammer against a tough team which had defeated the Nos. 2 and 3 seeds to reach the final.

“It’s just finishing and going up to the hoop,” Casella said. “Being more aggressive tonight helped me out.”

“She was outstanding tonight,” Dean Kriebel said. “The last two games she’s been a difference-maker for us.”

What has made South champions is every player being a difference-maker and nobody caring how they make that difference. Whether scoring, defending, rebounding or battling for loose balls, every South player provides immense contributions.

That extends to those who do not receive a lot of time. The fourth quarter essentially was a coronation for the new queens of District 4 Class A and Dean Kriebel was able to insert every player. It was a fitting tribute for everyone working so hard to achieve this goal.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent South Williamsport players celebrate after defeating Line Mountain to win the District 4 Class AA championship.

“The crowd was really getting into it and I’m really glad our JV girls got in to experience it,” Rieppel said. “They’re a huge help. We wouldn’t be the team we are without them. Watching them get to experience it and experiencing it all together as a team was really amazing.”

South’s fans felt similar joy. It felt like a community celebration as the Mounties received their gold medals. Nobody wanted to leave as many took photos and savored the moment. And while it may have looked easy Thursday, this victory and this championship was extremely difficult. It was the result of constant work and sacrifice.

That’s why it feels so sweet now.

“It was awesome. We had a great student section and everyone in the community came out to support us,” Lacey Kriebel said. “It felt like everyone was behind us and that felt really good.”

LINE MOUNTAIN (19)

Hannah Ruohoniemi 1 0-2 2, Brooke Barwick 0 0-0 0, Sierra Klinger 0 1-2 1, Kyleen Michael 1 1-1 3, Liz Spieles 2 1-2 5, Sophia Coller 0 1-2 1, Kyleigh Masser 1 0-0 3, Kailey Buriak 1 1-2 4. Totals 6 5-11 19.

SOUTH (49)

Lacey Kriebel 9 0-0 26, Aleigha Rieppel 2 2-2 8, Piper Minier 0 3-4 3, Alizabeth Schuler 1 1-2 3, Sofia Casella 2 3-5 7, Mikaiya Hills 0 0-0 0, Ella Moore 1 0-0 2, Zoe Threeton 0 0-0 0, Kaitlyn Apker 0 0-0 0, Maddy Pinkerton 0 0-2 0. Totals 15 9-15 49.

Line Mountain 4 3 11 1–19

South 15 8 20 6–49

3-pointers: Line Mountain 2 (Masser, Buriak); South 10 (Kriebel 8, Rieppel 2).

Records: South 20-5. Line Mountain 13-12.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent South Williamsport players pose with their gold medals and plaque after defeating Line Mountain in the District 4 Class AA championship game.