Finally, the buzzer went off and it was party time. Players on the court and along the sidelines rushed toward each other, literally jumping for joy as they all embraced and created a moment they will never forget. Moments later, seniors Julie Ellis and Lacey Kriebel lifted the trophy and all took turns placing their hands upon it as cameras rolled and cell phone picture flashes filled the air.

It’s a moment frozen in time; a moment Loyalsock will always cherish. It was a moment truly like no other in Lycoming County history.

Loyalsock girls’ basketball is the state’s best Class AAA basketball team. The state championship trophy no longer is some mythical object reserved for others. It is real and it is all Loyalsock’s and this Lancers team has gained local sports immortality.

The Lancers are state champions.

DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette Loyalsock players celebrate with the PIAA Class AAA championship trophy alongside their fans at Hershey in the Giant Center after winning the Class AAA title by beating Shady Side on Thursday evening, 55-43.

Lacey Kriebel (23 points, 11 rebounds) produced a double-double, Alaina Dadzie scored 21 points and every Lancer did her part as Loyalsock defeated Shady Side, 55-43 and captured the 3A state championship. Loyalsock (30-2) not only became the first team in program history to win a state title but the first county team ever. It also joins Elkland as the only area teams, period, to gain state supremacy.

“We had to work our butts off. I’m so proud of us,” Kriebel said after delivering a masterful performance on the state’s biggest stage. “Nobody thought we could do it, but we knew inside we could do it. The reality of knowing that we’re the best is the best feeling in the world.”

“It’s the best way to end the season. There is no better way to end my whole career,” Ellis said after scoring eight points and dealing four assists. “I’m just so grateful for everybody who has helped me get this far, my coaches, my trainer and my teammates. It wouldn’t have been done without them. It was great to see it all come together in the end.”

Four charter buses full of excited Loyalsock students made the trip to Hershey and gave the team a decided home-court like advantage. And the Lancers gave those fans quite a show, playing a fabulous all-around game and handing Shady Side (28-2) just its second loss in 30 games.

Loyalsock went ahead to stay early in the third quarter, then dominated the fourth quarter, gradually pulling away after Shady Side had cut a six-point deficit to three. By the time defensive ace Jaekairah Harden found Ellis for a layup inside, the lead was nine and the celebration started picking up.

DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette Loyalsock players pose for a photo after defeating Shady Side for the PIAA Class AAA championship on Thursday.

The Lancers scored seven straight points, going up 55-43 and coach Curtis Jacobson called a timeout with :20.8 seconds remaining. It was not a strategy session. It was a take this wonderful moment in timeout.

The starters asked to remain on the court, wanting to enjoy their final seconds in this 4 1/2 month-long season together. What a ride they and all their dedicated teammates created and, together, they enjoyed those final moments in a season filled with great ones. The Lancers dreamed the biggest dream and cashed in on an opportunity it has been building toward the past nine seasons.

“You’re not guaranteed to ever get back here again and these girls deserve this. They really deserve it,” Jacobson said. “We wanted to be as a group on the court one more time and soak things in and have the opportunity to let them know how proud I was of them. They did an amazing job and all the credit goes to them.”

“The crowd was amazing. We knew it was going to be a great atmosphere for us,” Dadzie said after making it four state tournament games of at least 21 points. “To celebrate with them, knowing they’ve been coming to our games all year and supporting us, it’s just so great to share it with them.”

Thursday was the culmination of a nine-year run under Jacobson, his staff and his players after he became the coach in 2016. At that time, the program had not won a playoff game since 2011, but nine straight state tournament appearances followed. Each season, Loyalsock seemingly took another step up the ladder.

DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette Loyalsock players are congratulated by Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro after being awarded their PIAA Class AAA championship trophy on Thursday.

A year ago, Loyalsock reached the state’s Final Four for the first time. After a heart-breaking defeat at Shamokin, the Lancers vowed to do everything possible to get another shot. Through all the injuries, illnesses and super opponents, Loyalsock earned that opportunity and then cashed in like lottery winners.

Harden sparked a stifling defense, Jillian Kennedy made another key 3-pointer, Ellis filled up the stat sheet and Addie Bastian provided quality minutes off the bench. Kriebel played the best game in her storied career and Dadzie was a force over the final three quarters.

So much has to go right in order to win a state championship and Loyalsock repeatedly made all the pieces fit. Ladder climbed, puzzle completed and gold medals earned.

“This is a special group,” Dadzie said. “We had so many adversities this season so to finally get it done we’re going to talk about it for years to come.”

“We all did our part. Everybody did their part. We came in with a game plan and executed it,” Ellis said. “It was great to see everything get executed. We’ve been working for 4 ½ months now and it all came together today.”

DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette Loyalsock coach Curtis Jacobson hugs Lacey Kriebel as the Lancers receive their gold medals in Hershey after beating Shady Side in the PIAA Class AAA championship game.

Kriebel set the early tone, scoring 15 first-half points and generating a double-double by late in the third quarter. Shady Side did what so many have done against Loyalsock this season and packed its defense in to try and slow Dadzie but Kriebel made that impossible, again dominating on the big stage.

The Lock Haven-bound senior drained three of her five 3-pointers in the first half and helped Loyalsock forge ahead, 30-28 at halftime. After the two powerhouse teams traded leads in the third quarter, Kriebel put Loyalsock ahead to stay, sinking consecutive 3-pointers and giving Loyalsock a 43-37 advantage entering the fourth.

“Once I saw the ball go through the net the first time, I just kept shooting,” Kriebel said. “I had confidence in myself, and then they started to rush out at me, so I could attack the basket and get fouls on them and that was big.”

Dynamic Shady Side point guard Karis Thomas scored four quick points in the fourth quarter’s first 40 seconds, cutting the deficit to 44-41. Thomas scored a team-high 22 points, but Loyalsock brilliantly denied her opportunities from there. Trapping, double teaming and moving well, Loyalsock players stuck to Thomas like glue and she managed just one more shot, a forced attempt late in the game.

With Shady Side’s top option closed off, Loyalsock squeezed the juice from a potent offense and skillfully ran its offense, Kriebel, Harden, Kennedy and Ellis all producing assists in the fourth quarter as Dadzie imposed her will and scored four quick points to spark a game-sealing 11-2 run.

Alaina Dadzie of Loyalsock puts up a shot against Shady Side at the Giant Center. Loyalsock won 55-43. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Ellis had a hand in four straight points and Harden capped her fantastic season in typical Harden style, grabbing an offensive rebound and making a steal as it became clear that all which was keeping Loyalsock from making history was the clock.

Victory became all but certain inside that final minute and the Giant Center started feeling a lot like Ron Insinger Gymasium two hours away. On this day, Hershey’s court did belong to Loyalsock.

So did the state championship. Wherever they go, whatever they do, these gutsy, resilient 2025 Lancers will always be state champions. In this season, nobody did it better.

The season is over but the memories will last forever and Loyalsock can now lay claim to being the best team in Lycoming County history.

“What better way to go out than winning a state championship?” Kriebel said. “Nobody is better than us. We’re No. 1.”

Loyalsock 55, Shady Side 43

(PIAA CLASS AAA CHAMPIONSHIP)

SHADY SIDE (43)

L. Banner 0-2 0-0 0; L. Buford 2-5 4-4 8; K. Thomas 9-12 1-1 22; M. Mitchell 3-9 0-0 8; C. Capel 2-6 0-0 5; K. Benec 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 16-34 5-5 43.

LOYALSOCK (55)

J. Kennedy 1-6 0-0 3; L. Kriebel 7-16 4-7 23; J. Ellis 3-7 2-4 8; J. Harden 0-2 0-2 0; A. Dadzie 9-15 3-4 21; A. Bastian 0-0 0-0 0; M. Wertz 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 20-46 8-17 55.

Shady Side 13 15 9 6 — 43

Loyalsock 14 16 13 12 — 55

3-point goals: Shady Side 6-14 (Thomas 3-4, Mitchell 2-5, Capel 1-3, Banner 0-1, Buford 0-1); Loyalsock 6-16 (Kriebel 5-9, Kennedy 1-4, Dadzie 0-1, Ellis 0-2). Fouled out: Shady Side-none; Loyalsock-none. Rebounds: Shady Side 18 (Capel 10), Loyalsock 24 (Kriebel 11).Assists: Shady Side 5 (Capel 2, Buford 2), Loyalsock 14 (Ellis 4, Harden 4). Technical fouls: Shady Side-none; Loyalsock-none. Total fouls: Shady Side 12; Loyalsock 7.

DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette Loyalsock coach Curtis Jacobson motions to his team during Thursday's PIAA Class AAA championsihp game in Hershey against Shady Side.

DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette Loyalsock players pose for a photo after defeating Shady Side for the PIAA Class AAA championship on Thursday.

DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette Loyalsock players celebrate with each other seconds after winning the PIAA Class AAA championship.

DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette Loyalsock players celebrate after winning the PIAA Class AAA championship.

DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette Loyalsock's Alaina Dadzie looks to shoot during Thursday's game against Shady Side.

DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette A Loyalsock player dives for a ball against Shady Side during Thursday's PIAA Class AAA championship game.

DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette Loyalsock's Alaina Dadzie looks on during Thursday's PIAA Class AAA championship game against Shady Side.

DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette Loyalsock and Shady Side compete during Thursday's PIAA Class AAA championship game in Hershey.

Lacey Kriebel of Loyalsock puts up a three point shot against Shady Side at the Giant Center. Loyalsock won 55-43. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Head coach Curtis Jacobson of Loyalsock talks with his team during a time out against Shady Side at the Giant Center. Loyalsock won 55-43. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Alaina Dadzie of Loyalsock and Leah Buford of Shady Side fight for position on a loose ball at the Giant Center. Loyalsock won 55-43. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Alaina Dadzie of Loyalsock pulls in a rebound against Shady Side at the Giant Center. Loyalsock won 55-43. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Alaina Dadzie of Loyalsock has the pass picked off by Leah Buford of Shady Side at the Giant Center. Loyalsock won 55-43. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Julie Ellis of Loyalsock and Laila Banner of Shady Side fight for a rebound at the Giant Center. Loyalsock won 55-43. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette(1) DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Lacey Kriebel of Loyalsock puts up a shot under heavy pressure from Shady Side at the Giant Center. Loyalsock won 55-43. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Jaekairah Harden of Loyalsock puts up a shot against Shady Side at the Giant Center. Loyalsock won 55-43. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Jillian Kennedy and Julie Ellis of Loyalsock fight for a rebound against Shady Side at the Giant Center. Loyalsock won 55-43. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Jillian Kennedy of Loyalsock passes the ball against Shady Side at the Giant Center. Loyalsock won 55-43. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Lacey Kriebel of Loyalsock steals the ball and pushes it up the floor as Laila Banner of Shady Side tries to keep up at the Giant Center. Loyalsock won 55-43. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette