The lone contributor back from last year’s 3A state quarterfinalist, Jennings has gone from sixth man to starter while seeing consistent double teaming. Friday at Frank Lupacchino Court, Jennings turned those double teams into frequent scoring opportunities, carving up the defense with Tom Brady-like precision.

Jennings piled up 11 assists, including five in the fourth quarter, adding 13 points and six rebounds as Loyalsock won its annual rivalry game against Neumann, 72-53 in front of a large, energetic crowd. Sophomore Saoj Jones enjoyed a big breakout game, scoring 12 of his 18 points in the second half and the young Lancers (2-2) did not flinch after determined Neumann (0-4) cut a 22-point second quarter deficit to six in the third.

“I think the best part of my game is my passing. I try to do whatever I can to get anyone on my team open shots, whether it’s open 3s or open layps,” Jennings said. “If they are doubling me, there’s always an open man and I just try to find the open person every time.”

For a stretch in the fourth quarter, Jennings seemingly did do it every time. Loyalsock held a 10-point advantage entering the fourth and Jennings dealt five assists during a 13-0 run which settled the game’s outcome. He connected with Jones four times and Loyalsock finally shook off the pesky Knights.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Loyalsock's Jayden Wagner (25) reaches to block a shot by St. John Neumann's Chase Wright (4) during a high school boys basketball game at St. John Neumann Regional Academy on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024.

Jennings opened the game with five quick points and quickly again became the defense’s focal point. He took advantage of scoring opportunities when they presented themselves, but Jennings did not force the issue and efficiently ran the offense, helping four players reach double figures, including Caydn Plank (13 points, 8 rebounds) and Isaac Blackwell (12 points). Jalil Coates added strong second half defense and Jaydn Wagner helped set the first quarter tone with his constant hustle.

Without even attempting a shot in the fourth quarter, Jennings left his fingerprints all over the game-clinching run. Highlighting Jennings’ ability to get everyone involved, Loyalsock made 20 of 26 shots in the first and fourth quarters, building a big lead and then pulling away.

“I’m trying to embrace that role as much as possible. It’s my senior year and I’m playing with a much younger group of players who are doing very well for their age,” Jennings said. “I’m just trying to get them the ball as much as possible and to get them into the flow as much as possible.”

“He’s the backbone to the team. There’s no secret about that,” Loyalsock coach Ron Insinger said. “The other intangibles he provides us are invaluable.”

So, too, could be the experience Neumann gained Friday. Like Loyalsock, Neumann is a new-look team and features a lot of moving parts. The Knights opened the season with three of their first four games coming against 3A teams, so their record could be deceiving. The bottom line is they looked like a darn good team in the middle quarters, thundering back from down 22 early in the second and having three opportunities to close within four in the third quarter.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Loyalsock's Cadyn Plank (30) brings the ball past St. John Neumann's Angelo Birch (13) during a high school boys basketball game at St. John Neumann Regional Academy on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024.

Loyalsock opened the game on a 20-2 run and Blackwell’s jumper made it 36-14 a minute into the second. Instead of buckling, Neumann thundered back and cut the deficit to 10 by halftime. The Knights kept charging back in the third and Jager Woodring’s 3-pointer cut the deficit to 45-39 midway through the third. Loyalsock regrouped and eventually broke away in the fourth, but Neumann generated a lot of positives throughout its comeback which could help it grow as the season continues.

“If we can just play as well as we did when we were coming back and keep that fight and energy, I like what we can do. But we can’t start the game down the way we did,” Neumann coach Louis Roskowski said. “As long as we keep fighting and playing together, we’ll be all right. We showed some good things and there were some positives.”

That includes Woodring who is bursting onto the scene as a junior. The versatile guard helped fuel the Neumann comeback, scoring 19 of his game-high 23 points during the middle quarters. He scored in a variety of ways and was especially strong in the second quarter, making all six of his shots from the field and line.

Woodring reached 20 points for a second straight game as well. After producing a career-high 20 two nights ago at Montgomery, Woodring again delivered a career-best performance in Neumann’s hope opener.

“Jager is playing great. He’s still learning certain things about what to do about some situations but for the most part he’s taking care of the ball,” Roskowski said. “He’s really leading us, so I can’t ask for more from him.”

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent St. John Neumann's Legend Dillard (44) and Loyalsock's Braydon Cioffi (33) reach for a rebound during a high school boys basketball game at St. John Neumann Regional Academy on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024.

Neumann started moving the ball well and defending better as it mounted its comeback. The Knights played with relentless after Loyalsock’s 31-point first quarter and understand they must play with that kind of fire for al four quarters now. Do that and they can be dangerous.

That goes double if everyone contributes the way they did against Loyalsock. Andrew Walter scored nine points and grabbed seven rebounds, Daiton Thompson dealt five assists, Lajon Dizard added five rebounds and Legend Dillard added six points and three boards off the bench. Angelo and Gino Birch helped fuel the team’s competitive flames, making repeated hustle plays and combining for nine points and eight rebounds.

“Both coaches should have reasons to smile and sleep well tonight. Neumann made a heck of a comeback,” Insinger said. “They could have thrown in the towel many times and they didn’t. They just kept coming back. They battled. Kudos to them for having the determination to do that.”

Loyalsock showed similar drive in fighting off Neumann’s comeback bid. Instead of crumbling, a young group pulled together and finished the game as strong as it opened it. Jones was a major reason why.

The 6-foot-5 sophomore has game-changing potential and showed it against Neumann. Insinger said one of his big goals is to light Jones’s competitive fire and have him bring the energy each day at practice.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Loyalsock's Cadyn Plank (30) and St. John Neumann's Lajon Dizzard (42) struggle for possession of a loose ball during a high school boys basketball game at St. John Neumann Regional Academy on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024.

Friday’s performance against Neumann might just be the one which fans those flames. A factor on both ends, Jones was virtually unstoppable in the fourth quarter, making all six shots and scoring 12 of his 18 points. He also made two steals off the bench, grabbed four rebounds, made two steals and altered multiple shots, highlighting what a weapon he could become.

“He’s a great player. He’s a lot more physical than he sometimes plays but that game is the best game I’ve seen him play,” Jennings said. “He did a great job finishing. He plays a very important role being a paint defender and rebounder. He just adds a lot to our team.”

LOYALSOCK (72)

Isiah Jennings 4 3-3 13, Jalil Coates 3 1-3 7, Brecken Gusick 2 0-0 5, Caydn Plank 5 0-0 13, Brayden Cioffi 1 0-0 2, Jaydn Wagner 1 0-0 2, Isaac Blackwell 5 0-0 12, Chase Wright 0 0-0 0, Saoj Jones 9 0-1 18, Ronnie Emery 0 0-0 0. Totals 30 4-7 72.

NEUMANN (53)

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Loyalsock's Brecken Gusick (10) reaches for a shot during a high school boys basketball game at St. John Neumann Regional Academy on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024.

Jager Woodring 7 5-6 23, Daiton Thompson 1 0-1 2, Andrew Walter 4 0-0 9, Lajon Dizard 2 0-0 4, Angelo Birch 3 0-0 6, Gino Birch 1 0-1 3, Legend Dillard 3 0-0 6, Jacob Brocious 0 0-0 0. Totals 22 5-8 53.

Loyalsock 31 8 14 19–72

Neumann 10 19 14 10–53

3-pointers: Loyalsock 8 (Plank 3, Jennings 2, Blackwell 2, Gusick); Neumann 4 (Woodring 2, Walter, G. Birch).

Records: Loyalsock 2-2. Neumann 0-4.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Loyalsock's Brecken Gusick (10) brings the ball past St. John Neumann's Andrew Walter (12) during a high school boys basketball game at St. John Neumann Regional Academy on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024.