Loyalsock girls basketball’s Izzy and Alaina Dadzie are making their final run a memorable one
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HAZLETON -- Izzy and Alaina Dadzie have created many impressive individual moments these last two years. But their favorite moments are the ones they have built together.
And this duo is making their final high school basketball experience together a remarkable one.
Izzy and Alaina have helped Loyalsock become one of the state's top four Class AAA teams. They and the Lancers play in tonight's Eastern Region final at Shamokin against Lancaster Catholic. Loyalsock (27-3) is competing in the state's Final 4 for the first time and the Dadzie's are a big reason why.
"It's so special, especially because it's my last year with Alaina," Izzy said after scoring 15 points, grabbing eight rebounds, dealing six assists and making two steals in Friday's 51-34 quarterfinal win against Holy Redeemer. "We'll probably never play together again, so it's really special."
Izzy is a senior and Alaina a sophomore. They played a little together in the church league when they were younger but age kept them apart until a season ago.
Back together again, the Dadzie's have helped Loyalsock win 46 games the past two seasons, capture league and conference championships and make history. They really could not have scripted this journey much better.
"It's just a cool experience, especially with it being my sister's last year," Alaina said. "To do it with her is really exciting. I think last year was a time for us to work on ourselves and then her senior year we would go and get it."
Izzy and Alaina did a lot against Redeemer with Alaina producing a double-double of 22 points and 10 rebounds. Alaina knew better than anyone how sick Izzy was Friday, so having her sister on the court at all was uncertain.
Vomiting throughout the day and unable to move at times, Izzy somehow summoned the strength to not only play, but play the game of her life. After she played in spurts through the game's first 12 minutes, Dadzie stayed in until the final minute when victory was secured and helped Loyalsock transform the game during that time, shining in all facets.
"She played so great for the conditions she was under," Alaina said. "She really pulled through for us."
So did Alaina.
The sophomore forward again was double teamed most of the night, but again it did not matter. She still filled up the stat sheet, played poised and helped Loyalsock build a double-digit third quarter lead which Redeemer never cut to fewer than 10 again.
It was the latest strong performance for a player who has built an all-state resume throughout her second season. Dadzie is averaging nearly a double-double per game, has become a more polished player and has made a big defensive impact as well.
"When Alaina gets that look it's like get out of the way and let her do her thing. It's not a special play we come up with that time. It's Alaina, 'Go get it and go to work,'" Loyalsock coach Curtis Jacobson said. "You can't over coach that stuff. Sometimes you just have to let good players, play. She's a good one to have play."
Izzy and Alaina are consummate team players and they often bring out the best in each other. Izzy enjoyed a breakout season as a sophomore, helping Loyalsock repeat as district champions. Her emergence as one of the area's premier all-around players coincided with Alaina's arrival last season.
Conversely, Izzy helped Alaina make the adjustment from junior high to high school a year ago. And in their final season together, the sisters have displayed perfect chemistry, making each other, as well as their teammates, better throughout this historic run.
"She's always been on me. She checks me when I get angry with myself and I'm always on her," Alaina said. "We know it's not personal. We're just trying to make each other better. That always helps us."
"Those two players are tough and they play with confidence," Jacobson said. "They have put in a lot of time as have all our players. They want this moment."
This is a moment Izzy and Alaina have been building to throughout their basketball lives. All the practices, all the travel, all the work and all the sacrifice have helped make their seasons possible.
Wherever their futures take them, Izzy and Alaina now have a basketball link which makes their personal connection even stronger. Blood and experience have helped form an unbreakable bond.
And these close-knit sisters have created one last memorable ride.
"They have a special bond. There's a lot of togetherness," Jacobson said. "They support each other and it's fun to watch."
"I love seeing her succeed as much as the team," Izzy said. "It's a really special moment."