But when it comes to basketball, Gee’s role transforms. There, he is more like an offensive lineman. All the work he does is absolutely essential to winning as a lineman’s is, but the casual fan might not notice. His coaches and teammates sure do, and Gee delivered another strong performance Thursday night while helping Loyalsock reach the District 4 Class AAA semifinals for an eighth straight year.

Gee scored a season-high nine points, grabbed six rebounds, made two steals and played super defense as Loyalsock defeated Hughesville, 67-44 at Ron Insinger Gymnasium.

“We have a lot of shooters, so I know my role wouldn’t be the same as it was in football where I get a little more spotlight,” Gee said. “Basketball, it’s just about doing the hard work and things that you don’t really notice that help the team win.”

Gee has helped Loyalsock win a lot this season. The Lancers (24-1) have won 21 straight games as well as HAC-III and Heartland Conference championships. Next, they will face Warrior Run in Tuesday’s semifinals at a time and place to be determined.

Ethan Nagy of Loyalsock puts up a shot that’s blocked by Gage Thomas of Hughesville at Loyalsock High School Thursday evening. Loyalsock won 67-44. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Jaylen Andrews had a big night, scoring 23 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. Nate Bauman (14 points, 7 rebounds) took charge in the second half and Gage Patterson added 12 points, four assists and three steals. Those three have put up big numbers the past three seasons and often are the team’s headliners.

Make no mistake, though, Gee also makes massive contributions. He did again Thursday with his defense playing a vital role in Loyalsock building a 16-point halftime lead and pushing it to 27 by late in the third.

“We have a lot of star power coming back from last year,” Gee said. “We have a lot of kids that can shoot and score, so it’s nice to embrace my role.”

“Tyler just played an all-around great game,” Insinger said after winning his 1,050th game as Loyalsock’s boys’ coach. “Defensively, I bumped him a few times and it’s like walking into a wall. He’s solid. He’s built and that means, he sets great screens, and he can’t be muscled.”

Gee often guards taller post players. He did so again against Hughesville. The senior leader might give up inches, but nothing else, using his strength, quickness and intelligence to help in all areas.

Gage Patterson of Loyalsock puts up a shot against Hughesville at Loyalsock High School Thursday evening. Loyalsock won 67-44. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Those traits came bursting out at key times all night, especially in the third quarter. Hughesville cut a 19-point deficit to 39-24 and forced a Loyalsock timeout. A Gee offensive rebound then ignited a game-breaking 13-1 run and Gee drained four straight free throws during that spurt, doing so after again hitting the boards hard.

After Hughesville closed the deficit to 22 entering the fourth, Gee used his tenacity and strength to help Loyalsock drop the hammer. On consecutive possessions, Gee pulled down offensive rebounds, as it led to Andrews scoring in the paint and Gee whipping a pass to an open Andrews who drained a 3-pointer. A few seconds later Patterson made a steal and layup as Loyalsock went ahead, 64-34 three minutes into the final quarter.

“Always this first round, as Loyalsock, sometimes we take it for granted,” Gee said. “But getting into a rhythm and getting some of our role players involved in these games is what helps us make a deeper run.”

“Tyler gives it everything he has. He’s high energy all the way,” Insinger said. “You can always count on that second and third effort from him, along with the higher energy. I couldn’t be prouder of his performance tonight.”

Hughesville coach Cameron St. James feels the same pride when discussing his team. The Spartans (9-14) replaced four starters from last year’s team and Landen King and Jeff Fenstermacher were the only two players returning with significant varsity minutes. Still, the Spartans fought hard all season, battled through injuries, won their Christmas Tournament championship for a fourth straight season, won a last-second game against semifinalist Warrior Run and set an example for the younger players.

Nathan Bauman of Loyalsock puts up a shot under pressure from Landen King of Hughesville at Loyalsock High School Thursday evening. Loyalsock won 67-44. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Hughesville did not earn the win Thursday, but it again relentlessly competed all night and never backed down. The way the team’s leaders worked means their legacy carries forward and could help the program flourish in the coming years.

“Our guys fight. They fight really hard, and it starts with that senior class,” St. James said. “For what they gave me this season, I just said thank you. I love my guys up and down the roster and they played really hard.”

Hughesville kept the game close until midway through the first quarter when Loyalsock answered with 10 straight points and took a 17-5 lead. It was a 16-game at halftime before a Fenstermacher 3-pointer pulled Hughesville within 31-18 but it could not get any closer.

Fenstermacher shined in defeat, tying Andrews for game-high scoring honors and shooting a blistering 10 of 13 from the field. In addition to his 23 points, Fenstermacher also grabbed five rebounds, dealt three assists and made three steals.

“I was really happy for him to have that,” St. James said. “He’s one of our gym rats, without a doubt. He works, works and works.”

Logan Kiess of Hughesville dives out of bounds to try to reach a loose ball against Loyalsock at Loyalsock High School Thursday evening. Loyalsock won 67-44. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

King and point guard Logan Kiess shared a similar mentality and both also played well. King was a point from producing his 14th double-double, going for nine points, 10 rebounds and three steals. Kiess heated up in the third quarter and had eight points, along with five rebounds and three steals.

Andrews started strong and helped Loyalsock build its double-digit advantage, scoring 12 points and adding four rebounds and three steals in the first quarter. The senior guard finished strong, too, teaming up with Gee early in the fourth to deliver the knockout blow, and scoring seven straight points. Tough on both ends, Andrews had a double-double before halftime and was two steals from a triple-double, producing eight.

“When Jaylen comes out to play it kind of puts everyone at ease,” Insinger said. “As a coach, I feel like I can sit down and relax because he’s here to play. He’s so quick off the floor.”

HUGHESVILLE (44)

Landen King 3 2-6 9, Jeff Fenstermacher 10 1-3 23, Logan Kiess 3 0-0 8, Gage Thomas 0 0-0 0, Brady Snyder 1 0-2 2, Paul Ragan 1 0-2 2, Jake Buck 0 0-0 0. Totals 18 3-13 44.

Jaylen Andrews of Loyalsock passes the ball behind his back to a team mate as they play Hughesville at Loyalsock High School Thursday evening. Loyalsock won 67-44. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

LOYALSOCK (67)

Jaylen Andrews 10 0-1 23, Gage Patterson 5 2-3 12, Nate Bauman 4 6-9 14, Ethan Nagy 3 0-1 6, Tyler Gee 2 5-7 9, Isiah Jennings 1 0-0 3, Parker Emery 0 0-0 0, Danny Dowell 0 0-0 0. Totals 25 13-20 67.

Hughesville 5 10 17 12–44

Loyalsock 17 14 23 13–67

3-pointers: Hughesville 5 (Fenstermacher 2, Kiess 2, King); Loyalsock 4 (Andrews 3, Jennings).

Records: Loyalsock 24-1. Hughesville 9-14.