He has played point guard pretty much since he first picked up a basketball as a 4-year-old. So, when Altoona started rallying Saturday at the Magic Dome, Williamsport point guard Zion Hughes knew what to do.

The sophomore started pushing the tempo, finding the open man, scoring and carving up the defense. A life-long point guard, Hughes is now settling in at the varsity level there, and his ability to make smart plays at key times played a massive role in Williamsport routing its long-time rival Saturday.

Hughes scored 11 points, dealt five assists, grabbed seven rebounds and did all the little things which help teams win as Williamsport pulled away and hammered Altoona, 69-39. Hughes, who scored 23 points last Thursday at Wilkes-Barre, was especially potent after Altoona had cut a 13-point halftime deficit to seven in the third and his stellar all-around play helped Williamsport close the game on a 34-11 run over the final 13 minutes.

“That’s one of my things, just doing whatever my team needs me to do to win or in the best position to win,” Hughes said. “The other night we needed to get something going, so I figured I need to go do it. Tonight, the guys made it easy on me and I could just facilitate, and they did what they needed to do, and we ended up getting that team win.”

It certainly was a well-rounded Millionaire performance. Kyreek Bradshaw scored a game-high 19 points and grabbed six rebounds, while fellow senior Micah Washington (13 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists) produced a double-double. Naazir Lowe added eight points, Tevin Williams grabbed five rebounds and Jahki Brister and Quincy Williams played well off the bench as Williamsport (5-11) built momentum entering the season’s stretch run.

It was when Altoona threatened, however, that Hughes really showcased his versatility and leadership. He started changing the game’s complexion when he went nearly coast-to-coast and found Brister for a layup. That was the first of two third quarter assists in transition and then Hughes attacked the basket and finished strong in the fourth quarter, adding six points.

“He’s always had a natural feel for it, in all sports, really,” Williamsport coach Allen Taylor said. “He has that vision with knowing when guys are open and putting the ball in a good place for them to catch and score; or catch and run. He has a high sports IQ.”

Hughes displayed that throughout the game’s final 13 minutes and helped the Millionaires turn the game into a blowout. Also a quarterback and defensive back who helped Williamsport’s football capture a district championship last fall, Hughes has the talent, intelligence and demeanor to be an ideal floor general.

It was his ability to dictate the tempo after Altoona stormed back that started altering things. Whether assisting or finishing, Hughes kept making the right decisions at the right times and all the pieces started falling into place.

“We came in at halftime and one our messages was Williamsport basketball is all about getting out in transition and outrunning the other team,” Hughes said. “We worked on that all offseason, getting into shape with our conditioning, so going up-tempo helped us tonight.”

Working hard is something Hughes embraces. He brings a blue-collar mentality on and off the court and often is putting in extra hours. That effort has helped Hughes earn a starting position as a sophomore.

Not that Hughes is anywhere near satisfied. Taylor has been looking for Hughes to grab the reins and now that he is, Williamsport is looking more dangerous.

“Coach T he was telling me I need to step up and be that guy because he knows I have it in me. He’s been watching me since seventh grade and he knows what I’m capable of,” Hughes said. “He put that challenge out there and I accepted that challenge and started playing that role and we’ve been better ever since.”

“He’s really stepping up and maturing. He puts a lot of work in. He comes in early in the morning and on Sunday’s and puts shots up,” Taylor said. “He’s definitely worked on his game. The coaching staff and his teammates have a lot of trust in his decision making in terms of scoring and distributing the basketball.”

All the Millionaires took turns making positive impacts throughout the game, especially in the first and fourth quarters. Williamsport started strong, closed stronger and outscored Altoona, 41-11 in those middle quarters. Utilizing a four-guard offense, the Millionaires jumped on Altoona early, building a 21-7 first quarter lead as all five starters scored and the team moved the ball well inside and outside. Washington helped set the tone, nearly crashing into the wall behind the basket, saving a loose ball and extending a first quarter possession.

Williamsport grew complacent in the second and into the third quarters and Altoona made its move. Pushed, Williamsport fought back and took over, allowing just 11 points after the Lions cut it to seven. The Millionaires landed the knockout blow early in the fourth quarter and seven different players scored there. Bradshaw added three assists to go with his 19 points and he, Hughes, Low and Quincy Williams all made multiple steals. Defense turned into offense and a close game turned into a rout.

“We talked about how things aren’t always going to go well. Shots aren’t always going to fall but we just have to keep at it,” Taylor said. “We have to find a way to put our stamp on it defensively, and I thought we cranked it up and forced some turnovers that led to easy buckets and that’s when the energy level went up and then the reserves came in and they continued to play with that energy.”

Williamsport is hoping to keep supplying some voltage over the regular season’s final two weeks. The Millionaires play six games, starting tonight at Tyrone and could move into the mix for a home playoff game if they finish strong.

The season has resembled a roller coaster, and the goal now is to continue moving that ride upward.

“We want to play four strong quarters. That’s what the coaches and players talk about when we’re practicing. We’re trying to take that next step and finish games and play consistent whole game,” Hughes said. “I tell my guys you have to trust me as much as I trust you and we can make it happen.”

ALTOONA (39)

Dunkle 1 0-0 2, Greaser 1 0-0 2, White 2 0-0 4, Lowery 6 3-5 15, Harrington 3 0-0 7, Wagner 3 0-1 6, Simendinger 1 0-0 3, Diventura 0 0-2 0. Totals 17 3-8 39.

WILLIAMSPORT (69)

Kyreek Bradshaw 7 4-4 19, Micah Washington 4 4-4 13, Zion Hughes 5 1-2 11, Tevin Williams 2 0-0 4, Naazir Lowe 3 0-0 8, Jahki Brister 2 0-1 4, Dezmyr Noble 1 0-0 2, Quincy Williams 3 0-0 6, Alex Takach 1 0-0 2. Totals 28 9-10 69.

Altoona 7 11 17 4–39

Williamsport 21 10 18 20–69

3-pointers: Altoona 2 (Harrington, Simendinger); Williamsport 4 (Lowe 2, Bradshaw, Washington).

Records: Williamsport 5-11.