Allison Anstadt of Hughesville puts up a shot against Imhotep at Pleasant Valley High School. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Alli Anstadt produced a storybook career at Hughesville. Turns out, her final chapter was her best.

Well, actually, one can debate the senior’s best performances the past four years because there are so many terrific ones. But what Anstadt did in her final game against Imhotep last Tuesday may have best symbolized her entire high school career.

In a game where both teams featured several outstanding players, Anstadt shined brightest. Imhotep won a hard-fought, 52-41, Class AAA second round state tournament contest Tuesday but Anstadt was the best player that night, producing 18 points and 11 rebounds, both game-highs, as well as three assists.

“She by far was the best player on the floor,” Hughesville coach Dustin King said. “She demanded the ball at different times. They were pretty physical with her but she bulled her way through it.”

Anstadt was not the tallest player. In fact, she was giving up several inches to multiple players but Anstadt repeatedly stood tall.

She did all she could to will Hughesville to another victory, scoring 16 points in the middle quarters and having a hand in 10 straight Spartan points in the third quarter. During that time, Hughesville erased a six-point deficit and tied the game.

Anstadt made 9 of 15 shots, played tough defense and was a major reason Hughesville was within four points in the game’s final minute. It was quintessential Anstadt, going out on her shield after four years of helping Hughesville be the best team it could be.

“She’s such a fighter and she’s a great example of a true teammate and what she’s done for this program is amazing,” King said. “To see her battle like she did against that kind of competition was awesome.”

“I knew I would probably get blocked because they were much taller than I was but just going up with confidence,” Anstadt said. “If they block me, they block me. Either that or they foul me and I go to the line. I just tried to post up as best as I could to try and get the ball to help the team.”

That quote says everything. Anstadt was a consummate teammate. As impressive as her stats always were, they were a means to an end. It was all about helping the team win. As unselfish as she was talented, Anstadt closes her high school career with more than 1,000 points and 700 rebounds. She was one of the area’s best defenders the last four years as well and enough impressive post moves to make Hakeem Olajuwon smile.

Most important, Anstadt made her team better. Above all else, she was a winner who helped Hughesville enjoy the best four-year run in program history. A player who never missed a game over the past three seasons, Anstadt helped form the foundation for historic teams that won 47 games, a district championship and three state tournament games in her final two years. Before last year, Hughesville had never won a district crown or a state playoff contest.

It was a team effort and every Spartan did her part, but that run does not happen without Anstadt. It goes beyond her production, too. It was the example she set every day. She was a lunch pail worker who always competed like she was vying for the last spot on the roster no matter her status.

It was a similar story last fall when Anstadt helped Hughesville reach its first district championship ever as as well as its first state tournament since 2002 while earning first team HAC-II honors.

A true scholar athlete with a sparking grade point average, Anstadt ferociously worked but also brought out the best in her teammates every year. She mentored younger players and helped them not just make an impact these last few years but into the future. And that is that even more impressive than all the points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks Anstadt provided the last four years.

“She’s a tough kid and a great competitor. We kind of got lucky to have her for along as we did,” King said. “We take her for granted sometimes, so I’m hoping that with her performance (Tuesday) some of these kids will look back and go, ‘Wow!” and try and build on that example and we’ll see where we go from there.”

Teammates and fans are not only ones who should be super impressed by what Anstadt did Tuesday and over the last four seasons. So should all-state voters. Yes, Anstadt averaged nearly a double-double and again helped Hughesville reach the state tournament’s Sweet 16.

But it’s how she did it all that stands out even more. On a team of leaders, Anstadt was THE leader. On a team of excellent players, Anstadt was THE player. That speaks volumes.

Time will tell whether Anstadt earns the all-state honor this reporter believes she richly deserves.

Whatever the case, she does not need a picture on the wall validating herself as not just a champion.

Her performance these last four years did all that. And now Anstadt takes her place alongside the best players in Hughesville history.

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