And what stories these players can tell their future kids as they grow older.

They can talk about a team few thought would win much defying the odds. They can talk all the wins produced. They can smile knowing they competed in one of the most exciting District 4 championships ever played.

And they always will remember the night they became District 4’s best Class AA team–again. Life is made up of moments and Muncy lived a fabulous one Wednesday.

Ken Hampe made the shots of his life, draining two free throws with 21 seconds remaining, Noah Confer produced a triple-double and Muncy edged St. John Neumann, 49-48 at Montgomery, winning an absolutely sensational title game while repeating as district champions.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Muncy's Noah Confer (3) shoots over Neumann's Jozef Sarage (12) and Tyrick Moty (1).

“Tonight is going to be pretty nice when we look back on it,” Hampe said. “This will be something that I will be messing around with my kids about.”

“We’ll have the film to always go back and watch this game. We will tell people about it and always be happy about it,” senior guard Patrick Zalonis said. “I’m happy not just for myself, but my whole team. It’s going to be a great memory for all of us when we look back at our high school careers.”

As much as winning the championship, Muncy will remember the game itself and how scintillating it was from start to finish. Muncy rallied from seven down in the first quarter to take a nine-point lead in the second, only for Neumann to thunder back and take a nine-point third quarter advantage.

From there, the Mid-Penn rivals exchanged leads five times in the fourth quarter, Hampe putting Muncy (20-6) ahead to stay. The Indians forced a turnover with eight seconds remaining. With Neumann needing to foul four times in order to put the Indians at the line, Muncy ran the clock down to one second before completing an inbounds pass to run the second off and become the program’s first repeat champion since the 2003-04.

An electric atmosphere permeated the packed gym all night and Muncy players joined their students, signing the school’s alma mater shortly after completing its dramatic win. Jubilant parents and fans flooded the floor following the medal ceremony as players and coaches cut down the nets. All those moments are the ones Muncy will long savor.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Muncy's Noah Confer (3) and St. John Neumann's Tyrick Moy (1) battle for a rebound.

“That’s a game for the ages,” Muncy coach Jason Gresh said after leading his team to a third district title since 2018. “The atmosphere was incredible and any time any team made a basket, the place went crazy. It’s all about working hard and believing and these kids definitely did.”

Muncy graduated four starters from last year’s team, including two 1,000-point scorers, a first team all-state selection and its leading scorer. What people missed was last year’s JV team going 20-2 and often dominating the opposition. They missed all the returning players relentlessly working throughout the offseason.

Others doubted it, but Muncy never doubted itself. It secured the program’s first league title since 2004, has matched last year’s 20 wins and has become a district champion again, carving out its own legacy while earning a home game against District 6’s fourth place finisher in the state tournament’s opening round.

“Everyone doubted us. We were supposed to get bounced out of playoffs early. Nobody expected us to be the No. 2 seed, let alone come out here and win a district title again,” Confer said after scoring a game-high 23 points, grabbing 10 rebounds and making 10 steals. “Everyone put the work in and kept moving forward.”

Neumann (14-11) keeps moving forward as well. The Knights produced a valiant effort and have played their best basketball at the perfect time. Neumann also advances to the state tournament and will have a first round rematch against defending state champion Lancaster Mennonite.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent St. John Neumann's Messiah Baldwin (3) drives down court on a fast break.

Until that final second ticked off Wednesday, no one was sure who would be hosting and who would be hitting the road for states. This was a true 12-round fight with neither team backing away. Any time a squad was put on the ropes it came back landing haymakers as Muncy and Neumann delivered a riveting performance from start to finish.

Muncy fought back from down nine in the third quarter, tied it entering the fourth and went up, 47-43 on Confer’s post move basket with 1 minute, 47 seconds remaining. Cue gutsy Neumann answering the bell.

Messiah Baldwin drilled an NBA-range 3-pointer and made it a one-point game with 73 seconds left. Lajon Dizard then forced the ball free near midcourt and Andrew Walter stole it, finding Baldwin for a go-ahead layup as Neumann went up, 48-47 with 40 seconds left.

At that point, Hampe had watched the entire game. Gresh, however, called a timeout and inserted the all-state offensive lineman, thinking his strength could get him an inside shot. Hampe set a screen and then worked himself free on the right elbow, proving Gresh right, catching an entry pass and nearly making the shot while being fouled.

Labeled the team’s best foul shooter at practice, Hampe was in a whole different setting this time. At practice, it’s just the players and coaches. This time, Neumann fans roared, but the junior forward blocked out the noise, focused on the basket and made the first free throw.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent St. John Neumann's Andrew Walter (14) shoots over Muncy's Patrick Zalonis (25).

Hampe made the second one easy, sinking the shot without it barely touching the rim. Following Muncy’s defensive stand and clock-killing passing, Hampe had become the unlikely hero in a game defined by heroic performances on both sides.

“After I hit the first one, the crowd was so loud my ears starting to ring a little, but I settled in because I knew the game at least was tied,” Hampe said. “I was a little nervous, but I’ve played in a lot of big games before. You just go out there and get the job done.”

“I could tell his nerves were going. I just had to bring the team together and tell him whatever happens, happens. Just do your thing. If you make them, you make them,” Confer said. “I’ll do whatever I can, and you handle what you can handle and don’t worry about any outside factors. When he hit them, I was just so happy for Kenny. That was insane by him. That was just so clutch.”

At different times Wednesday, both teams were feeling pretty giddy as the game transpired. Neumann led 14-7 late in the first quarter but Muncy stormed back and went on a 16-0 run as the Knights dealt with a surging opponent and foul trouble. When Confer made his seventh steal and threw down a breakaway dunk, Muncy led 25-16 and seemed poised for an early knockout blow as its fans literally jumped for joy.

Neumann refused to stay down. The Knights steadied themselves and Angelo Birch’s buzzer-beating steal and layup pulled them within three by halftime. Neumann then produced a seismic shift in the game’s complexion, stretching its run to 18-0 when Baldwin made a steal and layup and put Neumann up nine midway through the third quarter. Now it was Muncy’s turn to turn into Rocky Balboa. Zalonis and Stiles Eyer drained consecutive 3-pointer and Muncy started settling itself.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Corespondent Neumann's Tyrick Moy (1) shoots over Muncy'sNoah Confer (3) in the third quarter.

Neumann again went up by eight late in the quarter, but Muncy fought off the ropes and tied it entering the fourth following Confer’s 3-pointer. From there, the long-time rivals went at like Ali and Frazier, swapping leads, big plays and clutch shots.

“They had a nine-point lead, but we know we can play defense, so we know we can come back,” Gresh said. “The kids did a great job keeping their composure and really played some great defense and that helped us come back.”

Konnor Shearer scored nine points, pulled down six rebounds and added four assists for Muncy. Eyer also totaled four steals and four assists, while both of Zalonis’s 3-pointers stopped Neumann runs. Baldwin dazzled for Neumann, scoring 18 points, making six steals and dealing four assists.

Tyrick Moy continued his outstanding postseason as well, collecting his third straight double-double and going for 18 points and 10 rebounds. As much as this championship was characterized by thrilling play, it also was matched by the heart each team displayed.

“Give Neumann a lot of credit because they battled hard and had a great game plan. They’re good kids and good basketball players,” Zalonis said. “I think it mirrors what we’ve been about all season and what we’ve been able to overcome all season.”

And what a memorable season it has become.

MUNCY (49)

Nate Rogers 1 0-0 2, Noah Confer 9 4-8 23, Kyran Lisembee 0 0-0 0, Stiles Eyer 3 0-0 7, Patrick Zalonis 2 0-2 6, Konnor Shearer 3 2-5 9, Ken Hampe 0 2-2 2. Totals 17 10-19 49.

NEUMANN (48)

Tyrick Moy 8 2-2 18, Messiah Baldwin 7 1-2 18, Lajon Dizard 0 0-0 0, Joe Savage 3 0-0 6, Angelo Birch 0 0-0 0, Andrew Walter 1 2-2 4, Gino Birch 1 0-0 2. Totals 20 5-6 48.

Muncy 9 16 16 8–49

Neumann 14 8 19 7–48

3-pointers: Muncy 5 (Zalonis 2, Confer, Eyer, Shearer); Neumann 3 (Baldwin 3).

Records: Muncy 20-6. Neumann 14-11.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Muncy fans cheer on their team during the district championship against St. John Neumann at Montgomery Wednesday night.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Muncy's Ken Hampe calmly sinks two free throws to put the team ahead of John Neumann with 21 seconds left of the game in the district championship game at Montgomery Wednesday night.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Muncy's Stiles Eyer celebrates the teams win over St. John Neumann in the district championship at Montgomery Wednesday.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Muncy's Kohen Meyer poses with his gold medal after their win over St. John Neumann in the district championship at Montgomery Wednesday.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Muncy fans, cheerleaders and team sing their alma mater after their win over St. John Neumann for the district championship at Montgomery Wednesday.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Muncy's Patrick Zalonis (25) and Konnor Shearer (3) pose for photos with their gold medals after their win over St. John Neumann in the district championship at Montgomery Wednesday.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Muncy team mates pose with the championship plack after their win over St. John Neumann in the district championship at Montgomery Wednesday.