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DANVILLE―Maddy Moyers did not play a fall sport, but she never stopped working. The Lewisburg junior simply opted to use her time enhancing her basketball skills.
Games like the one she played Saturday at the Whitey McCloskey Center are exactly why. And games like this one again proved how worthwhile all those hours toiling away were.
Moyers played her best high school game in a scholastic career filled with good ones, scoring a career-high 35 points and making five steals while helping Lewisburg defeat Selinsgrove, 57-41 in the District 4 Class AAAA third-place game. The Green Dragons (19-6) clinched a third straight state tournament berth, delivered coach Brent Sample his 100th career victory and will play at District 6 champion Forest Hills next Saturday.
"I had the whole fall to train and played AAU over the summer, so that has really helped," Moyers said. "That’s really paid off with my basketball season."
Moyers was one of several Lewisburg players who helped the team excel against a Selinsgrove team which nearly defeated at home last December. Teagan Osunde dealt six assists and grabbed six rebounds, Ava Motto totaled seven points and five rebounds, while Lauren Schwartz and Faridah Aboueid surged off the bench. Addy Shedleski hit the boards well and hit some crucial fourth quarter shots as well.
Aboueid and Addie Wuerdeman, who hit a key 3-pointer during a game-changing third quarter flurry, are the team’s lone seniors. The future looks bright at Lewisburg, but the present sure is promising, too, with Aboueid and Wudereman big reasons why.
"We came out a little flat against Jersey Shore (in the semifinals) and we talked about that at practice (Friday), and had a good practice," Sample said. "The two seniors didn’t want this to be their last game, so play for them and get to states and see what happens."
It was a team effort but Moyers exploding certainly boosted Lewisburg’s chances against Selinsgrove, which had won five straight games before a district semifinal loss against Central Columbia. Moyers hit four 3-pointers, beat defenders off the dribble, attacked the basket and facilitated.
She also almost never missed. The junior point guard who has made massive strides the last two seasons, made 8 of 9 shots from the field, including all four 3-point attempts. She also went 15 of 17 at the foul line for a ridiculous 23 of 26 shooting performance.
"She got the ball, she looked to attack, and she did a lot of really good things," Sample said. "She moved the ball as well and found her teammates and that kind of got us rolling."
"We were really disappointed after that loss to Jersey Shore, so we were ready," Moyers said. "We didn’t want our season to be over tonight, so I’m happy with the way we all played together."
Selinsgrove did its best to limit Moyers and often double teamed her outside the 3-point line after she brought the ball upcourt. Her teammates, though, produced excellent screens and Moyers was constant motion, whether handling the ball or running without it.
Put it together and her last-second 3-pointer to close an 11-3 first quarter signaled that an eruption could be brewing. Moyers scored six points there, eight more in the second quarter and again hit a back-breaking 3-pointer in the closing seconds after Aboueid made a steal on the other end. This one put Lewisburg ahead, 24-18 and the momentum carried into the third quarter when the Dragons outscored Selinsgrove, 18-8.
Moyers hit her fourth 3-pointer early in the second half, so Selinsgrove moved closer and tried to take her outside shot away. That was fine because Moyers is equally effective off the dribble and repeatedly attacked the basket while drawing contact and going to the line 16 times in the second half.
It was the latest impressive big-game performance for Moyers who helped Lewisburg erase a big second half deficit against Shamokin two years ago in the same round before averaging 19.5 points per game in four playoff contests last season, including 22 against North Schuylkill in states.
"Especially in high-pressure scenarios, I try and step up because we have some younger girls on the team who aren’t used to these scenarios," Moyers said. "It’s nerve-wracking for them and nerve-wracking for me, obviously, so I just want to make sure I’m there to support them."
Moyers continued doing that in the second half, while Motto and Wuederman hit 3-pointers during the third quarter surge which pushed the lead 16 entering the fourth. Shedleski scored four quick points as well after Selinsgrove pulled within 13 midway through the third quarter. Put it all together and Lewisburg earned another week together, as well as another fun experience to look forward to.
"It’s awesome," Moyers said. "I’m just really glad we’re not done playing. I’m looking forward to playing next weekend. It’s an away game, so we’ll get a fancy bus, and it should be fun."
LEWISBURG (57)
Maddy Moyers 8 15-17 35, Teagan Osunde 3 0-0 6, Ava Motto 2 1-2 7, Addie Wuerdeman 1 0-0 3, Addy Shedleski 2 0-0 4, Fardiah Aboueid 0 0-0 0, Lauren Schwartz 1 0-0 2. Totals 17 16-19.
SELINSGROVE (41)
Madi Merrell 4 0-2 8, Lissa Kruskie 5 3-4 17, Kristin Shaffer 2 6-10 10, Erika Piepszowski 2 0-0 4, Grace Morrone 0 0-0 0, Lake Dent 1 0-0 2. Totals 14 9-16 41.
Lewisburg 11 13 18 15―57
Selinsgrove 3 15 8 15―41
3-pointers: Lewisburg 7 (Moyers 4, Motto 2, Wuerdeman); Selinsgrove 4 (Kruskie 4).
Records: Lewisburg 19-6. Selinsgrove 14-11.