His team facing a three-point halftime deficit, Jersey Shore coach Mike Schall asked his player to smile more. Throughout the second half they complied.

But those smiles masked fierce determination from a group of relentless competitors. Treating every possession like its last, Jersey Shore derived its joy from making Central Mountain miserable.

Cailyn Schall scored 11 third quarter points, Sophia Stover ignited a swarming defense and Peyton Dincher (9 rebounds, 4 blocks) scored 19 points as Jersey Shore dominated the second half and defeated Central Mountain, 54-38. The Bulldogs (13-3, 6-1 HAC-I) won their seventh straight game and outscored their rivals, 36-17 in the second half while erasing a three-point halftime deficit and maintaining a one-game lead in the league standings.

“Everybody started smiling and having fun. That’s what coach Mike told us at the locker room,” Stover said after scoring nine points and making nine steals. “We need to start smiling and have fun with it because then that turns everything around.”

Peyton Dincher of Jersey Shore puts up a shot against Central Mountain at Central Mountain High School. Jersey Shore won, 54-38. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

It sure did in the second half.

Central Mountain (7-7, 4-3) controlled the final four minutes of the first half, going from seven down to ahead, 21-18. The Wildcats made 6 of their 10 second quarter shots and their defense had Jersey Shore out of sorts, allowing just two points over those last four minutes.

Instead of unraveling on the road, Jersey Shore pulled closer together. The Bulldogs then played one of their best halves this season, scoring 25 third quarter points, moving ahead by 10 points late in the quarter and never letting Central Mountain pull back within single digits.

“We went in at halftime and Coach Mike gave a really good speech, saying we’re in this together and we need to go out and dominate,” said Stover, one of four seniors who made their final game against their rivals a memorable one. “We lifted our heads and went out and did just that.”

“Our goal as we continue on in the season is to play a complete game. We played a complete half tonight, but we got the complete response we were looking for at halftime,” Schall said. “Our kids love to come up to Central Mountain and we knew it wasn’t going to be easy. It says a lot about the group that they were able to respond because it wasn’t going well the first half. We were kind of in a shell that first half, and they broke out of the shell collectively.”

Avery DePasqua of Jersey Shore falls to the floor as she and Lena Walker of Central Mountain race after a loose ball at Central Mountain High School. Jersey Shore won, 54-38. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Stover started taking a hammer to that shell seconds into the third quarter when she made a steal and fed Schall for a layup. Seconds later, Avery DePasqua made another steal and converted a go-ahead layup. DePasqua made it 3 for 3 on Central Mountain’s third possession, producing another steal and finding Schall for a 3-point play.

In 40 seconds, Jersey Shore scored seven points, took a 25-21 lead it never relinquished and completely changed the game’s complexion.

“They were competing better together, and it starts with simple communication through voice and leadership, and they were reading very well,” Schall said. “They were all reading plays in front of them, all trusting each other and all had their areas of coverage and were flying around.”

Jersey Shore produced a defensive clinic. It was not just the Bulldogs forcing 16 second-half turnovers and then cashing in by converting them into points. It was all five players defending the ball, defending space, talking and helping which made it feel like there were eight Bulldogs on the court at times.

Defense turned into offense, all five starters, including Hannah Heaton (5 points, 2 steals) scored before the midway point in the third quarter and Jersey Shore started breaking open a close game. Driving home how things changed, Jersey Shore forced more second half turnovers than it allowed shots.

Avery DePasqua of Jersey Shore falls to the floor as she and Lena Walker of Central Mountain race after a loose ball at Central Mountain High School. Jersey Shore won, 54-38. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

“That third quarter there were too many turnovers. Under that pressure, we have to settle down and make the other team work on the defensive end,” Central Mountain coach Scott Baker said. “I give them a lot of credit. They came out with a whole different intensity level that third quarter.”

Central Mountain was still hanging around late in the third quarter, trailing by five, before Stover put together a seven-point blitz. The senior guard who hounded players all night showed off her offensive skills, draining a 3-pointer, hitting two free throws and scoring off a Dincher assist for seven straight points in 30 seconds, while putting Jersey Shore up, 43-31 entering the fourth quarter.

“It’s nice to do that, not only for myself, but for the team,” Stover said. “It was everyone coming together as a team. It’s a great feeling.”

It was a feeling Central Mountain experienced a few weeks earlier, too. History seemed to repeat itself Saturday because in the previous meeting, Central Mountain took a one-point lead early in the fourth quarter before Jersey Shore’s defense took over and paved the way for a 59-42 win.

Central Mountain seemed to have the game where it wanted it during the first half, but Jersey Shore sped it up throughout the second half and the Wildcats never were able to get back into rhythm. Still, this is a team which entered on a three-game winning streak and has won seven of 11 games, so progress is being made.

Gracelyn Frantz of Jersey Shore is fouled by Ava Doyle of Central Mountain at Central Mountain High School. Jersey Shore won, 54-38. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Lena Walker scored 11 points and Taylor Doyle added nine along with four steals. Macy Plowman and Elise McKean each grabbed five rebounds and Camdyn Weaver made three steals. The defense allowed just seven first half field goals, so now it’s a matter of turning two good quarters into four.

“We’ve found something defensively. We decided to play a little more zone than we ever have in the past and we have some long guards that can really get in the passing lanes and create some turnovers,” Baker said. “We’re settling in a little on the defensive end, it’s just a matter of offensively being more consistent.”

Jersey Shore also is looking to improve its consistency as it works toward its goal of playing complete games. Equally important, the Bulldogs are looking to continue embracing all the moments which come their way.

“They really relish, especially our four seniors, the opportunity to compete and compete together,” Schall said. “If they remember that the rest of the season, we’ll get the right kind of work that we want in.”

JERSEY SHORE (54)

Peyton Dincher of Jersey Shore and Ava Doyle of Central Mountain fight for position on a rebound at Central Mountain High School. Jersey Shore won, 54-38. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Peyton Dincher 6 4-5 19, Sophia Stover 3 2-2 9, Avery DePasqua 1 0-0 2, Cailyn Schall 7 3-4 17, Hannah Heaton 2 0-0 5, Kylie Schall 0 0-0 0, Gracelyn Frantz 1 0-0 2. Totals 20 9-11 54.

CENTRAL MOUNTAIN (38)

Camdyn Weaver 1 3-4 5, Taylor Doyle 3 3-3 9, Lena Walker 3 4-6 11, Ava Doyle 3 0-1 6, Macy Plowman 1 0-1 2, Elise McKean 2 0-0 5, Morgan Davis 0 0-0 0. Totals 13 10-14 38.

Jersey Shore 11 7 25 11–54

C Mountain 6 15 10 7–38

3-pointers: Jersey Shore 5 (Dincher 3, Stover, Heaton); Central Mountain 2 (Walker, McKean).

Records: Jersey Shore 13-3, 6-1 HAC-I. Central Mountain 7-7, 4-3.

Avery DePasqua of Jersey Shore tries to stop the shot by Taylor Doyle of Central Mountain at Central Mountain High School. Jersey Shore won, 54-38. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Peyton Dincher of Jersey Shore watches as Taylor Doyle of Central Mountain puts up a shot as Doyle falls to the floor at Central Mountain High School. Jersey Shore won, 54-38. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Ava Doyle of Central Mountain puts up a shot against Jersey Shore at Central Mountain High School. Jersey Shore won, 54-38. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Peyton Dincher and Cailyn Schall of Jersey Shore celebrate after Schall drew a foul from a Central Mountain player at Central Mountain High School. Jersey Shore won, 54-38. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette