But whether winning, losing or tied, it really does not matter. The common denominator is that Hughesville continues ferociously competing no matter the situation. The Spartans are a talented team and a well-coached team.

But at their core they are fighters.

And as important as skill and strategy was against Redeemer, it was that iron will which played the biggest role in helping Hughesville again reach the Class AAA state tournament’s Sweet 16. The Spartans rallied in the final 70 seconds and edged Redeemer, 56-53, earning a spot in tonight’s second round against Imhotep.

It was the latest gutsy win by a team which never shies away from a challenge. Instead, the Spartans attack them and their determined play has helped them win three state tournament games in two seasons after the program never won one before last year.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Hughesville's defense tries to gain possession of the ball during a PIAA Class AAA playoff game against Holy Redeemer at Williamsport on Friday, March 7, 2025. Hughesville won 56-53.

“The biggest thing I told the girls (Friday) was keep your composure and keep your head. If something doesn’t go right, don’t put your head down because someone is going to step up and do their job,” Hughesville coach Dustin King said. “I think that’s the biggest thing is keeping your mental capacity there and girls did a good job keeping their composure.”

That has really shined through these past two seasons. Hughesville (23-4) has won playoff thrillers during that time against Loyalsock, Dunmore, West Catholic and Holy Redeemer. Friday’s game was one of the state’s premier first round games with both Hughesville and Redeemer having played in last year’s quarterfinals.

Fittingly, it was a back-and-forth contest with neither team backing down. Still, it felt like Redeemer had everything going its way when it took a three-point lead into the game’s last 90 seconds. Again, though, it was skill and desire coming together to help Hughesville turn the tide.

Senior Alli Anstadt scored inside to make it a one-point game while being fouled. She missed the ensuing free throw, but hustled off the line, grabbed the rebound and scored the go-ahead putback. She and Maddie Smith drained a series of clutch free throws in the final minute and the defense made a final stand, preserving a win before happily embraced each other and then saluted their large student section.

It was a reciprocal salute because those students, and all the Hughesville fans, long have loved how hard their team plays. That never-say-die mentality proved powerful again, earning Anstadt and Ava Snyder, the team’s lone seniors, another game and Hughesville another state tournament opportunity.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Hughesville's Ava Snyder (3) looks to pass during a PIAA Class AAA playoff game against Holy Redeemer at Williamsport on Friday, March 7, 2025. Hughesville won 56-53.

“It’s all about getting one more game, especially for these seniors,” King said. “These girls are a pretty tight-knit group, so the fact we get one more game is awesome. Hopefully we keep it rolling over.”

The thing is, whether coming off a loss or win, Hughesville has been able to keep rolling forward. The Redeemer game was a microcosm of the season. The Spartans rallied from second-half deficits on the road earlier this season, winning games at Class 5A state qualifier Dallas and fellow Class AAA second-round participant Schuylkill Haven. Equally impressive, Hughesville has followed each of its four losses with victories.

And even in those losses, Hughesville never stopped fighting and/or believing. The Spartans have lost four games but they have never been defeated.

Combine that fight with the ability to move onto the next game, next shot or next play and one has a team that remained calm under fire against Redeemer. Rather than thinking about what had happened, Hughesville focused on what could be and made it happen.

“I’m a senior and any game can be my last. Ava’s also a senior and we’re just playing for each other at this point,” Anstadt said. “Whoever is hot is whoever is hot. It doesn’t matter who’s scoring, we’re going to work as a team and try to keep on winning.”

A team focused only on winning has won a lot of the past two years, producing 47 victories. So many players have their fingerprints upon that success, too. This is a team as balanced as it is good and nearly every member of the eight-player rotation has played leading scoring roles at some point. Some nights it’s the starters, some nights it’s the reserves, but by working together, so often Hughesville has made it the team’s night.

Hughesville athletic squads long have received excellent community support and that trend certainly has continued with the girls’ basketball team. Fans have helped feel neutral locations feel like home games. Two pep buses made the trip to Williamsport’s Magic Dome last Friday and one can all but guarantee there will be a strong showing at Pleasant Valley tonight.

Yes, a lot of that is because how successful this team has become. But a lot of it also is based upon how Hughesville has built its success.

There’s a lot of Rocky Balboa in the Spartans. They sometimes are knocked down, but the Spartans keep getting back up. They take some hits, but they keep moving forward.

These are now win or go home games but in a sense, it does not feel any different than the other 27 games Hughesville has played this season. That is because the Spartans go after every rebound and/or loose ball like it’s the most important in their lives. They are constant motion and non-stop hustle.

They are all heart.

Chris Masse may be reached at cmasse@sungazette.com. Follow him on Twitter at @docmasse.