MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Loyalsock’s Alaina Dadzie shoots over Biglerville’s Eva Hollabaugh in the second quarter during a PIAA Class AAA playoff game. Dadzie was named the Sun-Gazette Girls Basketball Player of the Year.

Everywhere she went, she drew a crowd. Teams threw gimmick defenses, double teams and physical play her way.

Whatever they tried, nothing worked. No one could stop her. And when the games meant the most; when the opponents were the toughest, nobody could even slow her.

Time after time Alaina Dadzie proved the best player on the court. She also helped Loyalsock prove itself the state’s best Class AAA basketball team.

Put it all together and, even in a loaded field, Dadzie was an easy selection as the Sun-Gazette Player of the Year. Four days after being named the Class AAA State Player of the Year, Dadzie repeats as Sun-Gazette Player of the Year after averaging nearly a double-double and dominating throughout the postseason while helping Loyalsock capture the state championship.

Dadzie was treated like prime Shaquille O’Neal often was, being physically punished while opponents were not whistled for fouls, but she never let it bother her. She just kept producing, averaging 19 points, 8.1 rebounds, a whopping five steals, 3.5 deflections, 2.4 assists and one block per game. Dadzie topped both 1,000 career points and 600 rebounds while helping Loyalsock win 30 games. Even those numbers are deceiving since she often did not play in the fourth quarter during the regular season since Loyalsock often routed so many teams.

Like a year ago, Dadzie elevated her performance come playoff time and virtually was unstoppable. She averaged 24.7 points during the postseason, erupting for a career-high 36 against West Catholic and 31 against Imhotep when she made 10 of 14 shots, including two 3-pointers. Dadzie capped her season with a 21-point performance against Shady Side in the state championship. Eight times in the last two years, Dadzie has topped 20 points in state tournament games, helping Loyalsock win eight as well.

A player who seemingly can do everything on the court, Dadzie has piled up 1,481 career points and 683 rebounds, while helping Loyalsock win 75 games the past three years. There was a buzz surrounding Dadzie when she entered high school. Three years in, she has exceeded even the lofty expectations many placed upon her.

The thing is, Dadzie is never one to rest on past achievements. The work continues but what a ride it has been so far.

The following is a look at who joins Dadzie on the Sun-Gazette all-star team as well as who takes home honors in other categories.

Sun-Gazette

All-Star Team

Maddie Smith, Hughesville

Smith followed up her super debut season with an even better sophomore campaign, earning first team HAC-III all-star honors again. An all-around threat, Smith led the team in scoring at 15.3 points per game, adding 6.8 rebounds, 3 steals and 2.7 assists per game as Hughesville won 23 games and reached the state tournament’s second round. Smith has played a major role in Hughesville going 47-10 the past two seasons and winning three state tournament games. She has proven to be a reliable big game player as well, scoring 39 points in consecutive playoff games against Loyalsock and Holy Redeemer. In just two years, Smith already has totaled 842 points, 364 rebounds, 171 steals and 108 assists.

Alli Anstadt, Hughesville

One can make a strong case that Anstadt just completed the best four-year run in program history. A four-year starting forward, Anstadt fueled Hughesville on both ends and was instrumental in the program’s rise, capping her stellar career by becoming the program’s first all-state selection in the 2000s. A first team HAC-III all-star again, Anstadt helped Hughesville reach districts every season there. She put together her best season this past year, averaging 12.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.9 steals and 1.6 blocks per game while again being one of the district’s premier defenders. She shined against Imhotep in states, scoring 18 points, grabbing 11 rebounds and dealing three assists after converting a four-point go-ahead play in the first round against Redeemer. Anstadt closed her high school career with 1,099 career points, 751 rebounds, 206 steals and 177 assists and set a powerful example as well.

Maddy Moyers, Lewisburg

Another player who continues getting better, Moyers earned Co-MVP honors in the HAC-II after helping Lewisburg win a share of its first league championship since 2018. the explosive point guard makes an impact in several ways, averaging 19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.9 steals and 2.8 assists per game. The reliable point guard made an impressive 43 % of her 3-point attempts and again shined brightest in the playoffs, averaging 22.3 points during districts while helping Lewisburg reach states for a third straight season. Moyers put on a show in a state qualifying win against Selinsgrove, scoring 35 points and making 15 of her shots from the field and line. She was second among area scorers and also a stellar defender.

Lacey Kriebel, Loyalsock

What Kriebel did all season by itself is impressive. That she did it while playing most of the season with a fractured foot reveals everything about what has made her one of the district’s top players the past four seasons and this year’s second runner-up for Player of the Year. Despite the injury, Kriebel missed just one game and played the best basketball of her decorated scholastic career in Loyalsock’s three biggest games, dominating against Dunmore, Imhotep and Shady Side. In those quarterfinal, semifinal and state championship games, Kriebel averaged 22.3 points, 9 rebounds and 5.3 assists. The Lock Haven-bound senior earned all-state honors for a third straight year as a result. She played both guard positions this season, averaging 11.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 3.1 steals despite rarely playing in the fourth quarter during the regular season. A consummate winner, Kriebel helped South and Loyalsock win 101 games the past four years, including 11 state tournament victories. Her teams also never won fewer than 21 games. She graduates with 1,449 career points, 605 rebounds, 344 steals, 272 assists and 214 3-pointers.

Peyton Dincher,

Jersey Shore

The committee is not like ESPN which crowns anything at the moment as the best ever, but Dincher certainly is one of the best Jersey Shore players ever and is on its Mount Rushmore of girls’ basketball players. The runner-up for Player of the Year also is the first area girls’ player in 25 years to earn three straight first team all-state selections. Dincher put together another marvelous season in a high school career filled with them. The school’s all-time leading scorer won her third straight area scoring title, averaging 21.8 points per game. Still, Dincher was never just a scorer. The Le Moyne-bound senior constantly filled up the stat sheet and also averaged 8 rebounds, 2.8 steals, 1.9 assists and 1 block per game while almost always being double teamed and/or face guarded. Never missing a game in four years, Dincher brought out her best and the best in her teammates, helping it win three straight league titles and reach three consecutive state tournaments. One of the state’s top shooters, Dincher made at least 49 3-pointers each season and shot 40 % during that time in addition to 85 % at the foul line. An elite defender as well, Dincher could play essentially any position and leaves Jersey Shore with 2,206 points, 579 rebounds, 232 steals, 138 assists, 223 3-pointers and 94 blocks. She also became the area’s first 2,000-point scorer in 10 years and just its fourth during the 2000s.

Second Team

Nadirah Tutler, Williamsport (15.9 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 1.9 apg,1.4 spg); Addison Wenzel, Milton (18.3 ppg, first team HAC-II); Teagan Osunde, Lewisburg (11.6 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 3.2 apg, 2.8 spg, 11 double-doubles first team HAC-II); Haley Litzelman, North Penn-Liberty (16.2 ppg, 11.9 rpg, 4 apg, 4.1 spg, 1.8 bpg, 884 career points, 675 rebounds, 244 assists, 233 steals, 116 blocks); Addi Eyer, Muncy (11 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 4.4 apg, 3.9 spg, over 300 career assists and steals, first team Mid-Penn); Kendall Kitchen, Canton (14.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 3.2 apg, 3.1 spg, over 1,000 points, 300 rebounds, 200 assists, 200 steals); Julie Ellis, Loyalsock (6.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.4 apg, 1.5 spg)

Third Team

Niyah Tutler, St. John Neumann (14.7 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 2.9 apg, 3.2 spg, 1,027 points, 67 career wins, most in program history); Ava Eyer, Muncy (11.8 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 2.3 apg, 3.8 spg, first team Mid-Penn); Abby Akers, South Williamsport (17.3 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 2 apg, 4 spg, first team Mid-Penn); Lena Walker, Central Mountain (12.7 ppg, 3.5 apg, 3.3 spg, first team HAC-I); Cailyn Schall, Jersey Shore (9.8 ppg, 3.6 apg, 3.5 rpg, 2.5 spg)

Coach of the Year

Second runners-up-Craig Weaver Sr., Muncy and Dustin King, Hughesville: Weaver again had Muncy playing its best basketball at the best time as it repeated as District 4 Class AA champions. The Indians won 20 games, their first league title since 2001 and thumped Northwest and Northeast Bradford teams in the semifinals and finals after they had lost to them earlier in the season. Hughesville went from hunters to the hunted this season but King and his staff helped it keep going strong. The Spartans tackled a difficult non-conference schedule, won 23 games and again reached the staet tournament’s Sweet 16. The Spartans have 47 wins the past two years and a strong nucleus returning.

First runner-up-Ryan Van Noy, Canton: Fielding a team with just one senior, Van Noy helped Canton enjoy one of its best seasons ever. The Warriors made an eight-win improvement, enjoyed their best district finish of the 2000s and reached states for the first time since 2002. Canton’s 17 wins were the program’s most in 24 seasons and the Warriors won eight of their last 10 games entering states.

And the winner is … Curtis Jacobson, Loyalsock: One of the state’s best coaches and coaching staffs have built Loyalsock into a powerhouse during their nine seasons. The Lancers have reached states each season. A year ago, Loyalsock won a program-record 27 games and reached its first state Final 4. Jacobson challenged it to raise the bar this season and pressed all the right buttons to help it do so. Loyalsock became Lycoming County’s first girls’ state champion, winning a record 30 games. Its only two losses came by three combined points in the final 2.9 seconds and Loyalsock played incredible basketball over its last three games against its toughest competition while reaching the state summit.

Honorable Mention

Mike Schall, Jersey Shore; Brent Sample, Lewisburg; Jaiden Cioffi, St. John Neumann; Aaron Green, South Williamsport

Defensive All-Stars

Teagan Osunde, Lewisburg

One of the HAC-II’s top defenders, Osunde makes it tough for opponents to get much going inside. Tall, athletic and smart, Osunde averaged 2.8 steals and 1.1 blocks per game, helping Lewisburg improve its win total for a third straight season. She was a force against District 4 Class AAAA champion Central Columbia, scoring a career-high 29 points, grabbing 15 rebounds, making five steals and adding four assists.

Sophia Stover, Jersey Shore

Part of a decorated senior class which helped transform the program, Stover often set the tone with her swarming defense. The constantly hustling guard played a big role in Jersey Shore often turning defense into offense. She was second to only Dincher on the team in steals, producing 2.7 per game, adding 6.1 points and 3.2 rebounds per game.

Kendall Hamm, Hughesville

A first-team HAC-III defensive all-star, Hamm often wreaked havoc against opponents’ backcourts. The sophomore point guard is tough to get by and was especially vital when Hughesville pressed teams. Hamm put together a breakout season in her first year starting and helped Hughesville limit opponents to 36.8 points per game.

Niyah Tutler, Neumann

A first-team selection for a second straight year, Tutler possessed seemingly endless energy. Neumann had just six players on its roster, so Tutler often played every minute every game. If she was tired, the senior captain never showed it, averaging 3.2 steals per game and helping Neumann win 13 games. Over the past two seasons, Tutler developed into one of the district’s premier on the ball defenders and often could take the opponents’ top guard out of the game.

Addi Eyer, Muncy

Like Tutler, Eyer rarely left the court and rarely did not frustrate opponents. Often one of the shortest players on the court, Eyer played like a 7-footer, hitting the boards hard, sparking the transition offense and throwing the opposition way off its game. The runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year averaged 3.8 steals per game, shined in clutch moments and helped Muncy allow a district-best 24.2 points per game and, above the two district championships she was a part of, Eyer’s real lasting legacy is how hard she played the game.

Defensive Player

of the Year

Jaekairah Harden,

Loyalsock

As good as Dadzie and Kriebel were, Harden often helped set the tone which helped Loyalsock flourish so often. The junior point guard produced a defensive clinic almost every time she played, regardless of what defense Loyalsock played. A relentless competitor, Harden never met a rebound or loose ball she will not attack and her presence served as the anchor of, arguably, the state’s best Class AAA defense. Harden averaged 3.3 steals and 3.4 deflections per game, adding 6.8 points per game, 3.5 rebounds and three assists per game. Whether she scored or not, Harden constantly was one of the most valuable players on the court each game.

Second Team

Avery DePasqua, Jersey Shore; Anna Zalonis, Muncy; Ava Snyder, Hughesville; Cailyn Van Noy, Canton; Jillian Kennedy, Loyalsock; Elizabeth Schrock, Milton

Breakthrough Player of the Year

Second runners-up-Camdyn Weaver, Central Mountain and Kameron Lightner, North Penn-Mansfield: Building off an exciting freshman season, Weaver made a big impact in the starting lineup, averaging 12.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.8 steals per game. Her all-around play helped Central Mountain double its win total as well. At the heart of a strong, youthful foundation, Lightner burst onto the scene as an excellent post player. She collected 10 double-doubles, leading North Penn-Mansfield in both scoring and rebounds.

First runner-up-Bre Nixon, Neumann: After helping Neumann capture its first district championship as a sophomore the previous season, Nixon settled into a leadership role and did a bit of everything to help a much younger team continue excelling. Nixon averaged 11 points, 5 rebounds, 3.1 steals and 1.8 assists per game. Also a tough defender, Nixon continues evolving as a shooter and drilled 53 3-pointers.

And the winner is … Emily George, Montoursville: One of the few players with any significant varsity experience returning this past season, George elevated her play and frequently filled up the stat sheet. In addition to averaging 10.6 points per game, George also was among team leaders in rebounds, assists and steals. The junior guard became a consistent double-double threat and helped this young team make some nice strides down the stretch. George highlighted her season with a 23-point, 11-steal, six-rebound performance in an exciting 51-49 win against Montgomery.

Game of the Year

Second runner-up-South Williamsport 53, Meadowbrook Christian 50, OT: Defeat seemed all but certain last January when Meadowbrook built a 13-point lead with less than four minutes remaining. Instead, South produced one of the year’s most impressive comebacks, forcing overtime and winning there despite losing leading scorers Abby Akers and Ella Moore to fouls. Those two scored 33 combined points before freshman Carly Quimby hit a last-second shot to force overtime and fellow freshman Coco Kline hit the go-ahead free throws in the final minute.

First runner-up-Hughesville 56, Holy Redeemer 53: A first-round state tournament showdown between terrific squads who returned most of their starters from 2024 state quarterfinalists lived up to the hype and then some. Redeemer turned a 10-point halftime deficit into a five-point fourth quarter advantage before Hughesville came thundering back. Anstadt produced a sequence which symbolized her scholastic career, scoring off a putback before hustling for a rebound off the ensuing free throw and scoring again, completing a four-point play which put Hughesville ahead in the final minute. She and Smith both hit clutch free throws and Hughesville celebrated with a huge student section which supported it all night at Williamsport’s Magic Dome.

And the winner is … Loyalsock 52, Hughesville 49: Sequels often do not live up to the original but this was an exception. After playing a riveting district championship the previous season at Montoursville, won by Hughesville, these rivals produced an instant classic. Like a year earlier, Hughesville lost both regular season matchups but pushed those aside and dominated the first 2 ½ quarters, building an 11-point lead. This time, however, Loyalsock flipped the script. Dadzie put on a show and could not be stopped, scoring 19 of her 28 points in the second half as the Lancers thundered back and went ahead to stay in the final two minutes. The committee believes Hughesville was one of the state’s top five teams and this game showed why as two of the state’s best produced a memorable game in which both teams earned well-deserved salutes.