Zack Neill had not played much during the second-half’s first 12 minutes Saturday at the Pedie McDonald Christmas Classic.

But he certainly was ready when called upon. What a job he did, too.

Neill scored five points, made a steal and assisted on Shea Ulmer’s go-ahead 3-pointer over the game’s final four minutes, helping Montoursville surge past Loyalsock, 57-50 for an exciting semifinal win. Neill’s performance highlighted a productive game from the Warriors’ bench as Montoursville closed on a 17-4 run.

The Warriors played for the championship Monday night against Selinsgrove in a game which ended after press time.

“These guys work hard at practice and you have to be ready when your number is called,” Montoursville coach Mike Mussina said. “You don’t know when that will be. You might play four minutes but if you play the biggest four minutes of the game, you better be ready to play them and (Saturday) those guys were.”

Neill has started at times this season, but the junior forward showed he can provide a jolt off the bench as well. Loyalsock led 46-40 when Cam Cintron made a steal and Ulmer found Neill for a 3-pointer. After an Ulmer steal and three-point play tied the game, Neill delivered again, making a steal and finding Ulmer for the go-ahead trey.

Neill had a hand in six points during a 9-0 run which lasted 37 seconds. He then helped Montoursville (6-2) push the lead to five, finding Isaac Erlandson inside. Loyalsock was unable to get closer than three the rest of the way with Neill adding two clutch foul shots, making it, 53-48.

“Zack Neill has been starting last couple games and I needed him off the bench,” Mussina said. “We had some foul situations or guys not feeling well or whatever it was, and he came through for us in a big way.”

Neill is one of several Montoursville players who has been doing so early this season, whether starting or coming off the bench. Mussina has utilized an eight-man rotation for the most part and several players have taken turns in starting and reserve roles.

The common denominator is all are producing, whether scoring, facilitating, rebounding or playing defense. Four players entered the tournament averaging more than nine points per game and sophomore Isaac Erlandson is making a major impact, going for eight points, six rebounds and two blocks against Loyalsock.

Fellow sophomore Jay Houseknecht hit a go-ahead basket in the third quarter and Brennen Imbro came up huge with forward Kingston Fisher limited due to illness, scoring seven points, grabbing five boards and blocking two shots.

It’s not just that these players are producing but when they are doing so. Different players have made strong contributions at crucial moments, including in close losses against Mifflinburg and Warrior Run.

“We’ve all dealt with pressure before. Even if it’s one of our younger guys, they’ve all played travel ball; they all know what it’s like to be in that situation,” Neill said. “No one is going in blind, so they just come in and do what they need to do. We trust them to do the right thing.”

Those who not have played a lot, still are helping as well. Practices have been productive and competitive. Those generating the headlines are doing so through the help of those flying under the radar. Put it together and Montoursville delivered its most impressive and most resilient win of the month at Loyalsock.

“To get that experience and get a chance to get big buckets or make big plays or get a big rebound, or whatever the case might be, is good to see,” Mussina said. “I’m just really proud of everybody, even the guys that didn’t get in the game. If they don’t work at practice, we don’t get better.”

PUTBACKS

Hughesville guard Gavin Knarr earned all-tournament honors after helping the Spartans finish second at the Bill Babcock Christmas Tournament. Knarr averaged 22 points and four assists there, scoring a career-high 29 in a 56-44 win against Montgomery. Teammate Alex Schultz had 14 points and 15 rebounds in that game. Montgomery’s Parker Bennett also earned all-tournament honors, scoring 41 points in two games … Wellsboro evened the score with rival North Penn-Mansfield, taking the Peg Berguson trophy with a 49-43 win last Tuesday. The series, played in honor of the late Berguson who taught at Wellsboro and whose sons played at North Penn-Mansfield, is tied, 6-6. Marek Mascho scored 12 points for the Hornets (4-2) and Jason Harer had 21 points and 10 rebounds for the Tigers, collecting his third straight double-double … Sullivan County (6-1) has first place to itself in the Mid-Penn’s East Division after defeating CMVT, 74-46. Lucas King had 18 points and four steals and was one of four players in double figures. Cayden Smithkors (13) and Jaiden Moore (12) both pulled down seven rebounds and Dom Marotti added 11 points … Cowanesque Valley had four players score at least nine points in a 58-43 win against Arkrport Cansarega Saturday. Levi Stahli scored 17, Josh Teague and Ashtyn Burdick 10 each and Parker Lee nine.

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

DR. MASSE’S TOP 5 RANKINGS

1. Warrior Run (8-1): It was quite a six-day stretch for the Defenders who won a thriller at Montoursville on Monday, dropped a double overtime heart-breaker against Philadelphia’s Carver Saturday and went double overtime again Sunday, defeating fellow district title contender Southern Columbia, 58-46. The Defenders played the equivalent of 10 quarters in two days and displayed their skill and will in all three games against strong teams. Aiden McKee had double-doubles in both Shamokin Tournament games, scoring nine of his 23 points in the second overtime against Southern. He totaled 42 points, 25 rebounds and 11 blocks in the two contests. James Keifer scored 11 points at Shamokin, dealing eight assists against Carver and grabbing seven rebounds against Southerm. Landon Polcyn scored 16 points against Carver and hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer at the end of regulation as Warrior Run erased a 12-point deficit.

2. Montoursville (6-2): Montoursville was involved in two playoff-like games against Warrior Run and Loyalsock, something which could benefit going forward. That goes double since both the HAC-II and District 4 Class AAAA fields are so balanced and demanding this season. And while every competitor wants to win every game, learning from losses helps a lot and seems like it has benefited Montoursville against Loyalsock.

“The closer games we’ve lost we know what not to do. Now we can come out and play calm; play smart because we’ve been in those situations before,” Neill said. “Now we can just go in and play our game.”

3. Loyalsock (6-2): Loyalsock lost for the first time in seven games Saturday but still has shown excellent growth, already matching last year’s win total. The Lancers two loses are against quality 4A teams by 10 combined points. Four players are averaging more than nine points per game and Saoj Jones is becoming a defensive difference-maker inside. The junior forward might have been Loyalsock’s most valuable player in the first half against Montoursville, frequently blocking and/or altering shots while erasing several scoring opportunities. He also grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds, dealt three assists and made two steals.

4. Williamsport (3-3): Friday’s winter storm pushed the Williamsport Christmas Tournament to yesterday and today. Last night’s game against Thurgood Marshall from Maryland ended after press time but it started a busy and challenging week for the Millionaires with 2025 state qualifiers Constitution and Pittsburgh Central Catholic on the other side of the bracket. Williamsport then hosts State College Saturday. These are the kind of games which traditionally help the Millionaires surge down the stretch and also could help them in the District 2-4 Class 6A standings. In what looks like a wide-open field, Williamsport entered the week third in the seven-team standings, but within close range of the top spot.

5. Lewisburg (5-3): Lewisburg built momentum for a challenging week that includes games against Mifflinburg and Mount Carmel with a 69-50 win against Pottsville Nativity. Four players reached double figures, highlighting the team’s balance. Nazir Meredith and Rebira Jemana combine for 12 rebounds per game and freshman point guard Cortland Michaels is among area assists leaders with 4.8 per game. Lewisburg entered the Mifflinburg game Monday third in the 4A standings with Montoursville and Mount Carmel not far ahead. The Dragons play both over the next 12 nights, giving it a shot at moving up.

Players of the Week

Jaxton Frantz, Muncy and Ethan Balzer, Warrior Run: Frantz has burst onto the scene this season after providing a lift off the bench as a sophomore. The junior guard went off for a career-high 32 points in a 58-56 loss at Susquenita, adding four steals. Frantz has topped 20 points four times in nine games and is among the area’s scoring leaders at 19.4 points per game. Balzer has turned dedicated offseason work into a terrific senior season thus far. Balzer had big games against Montoursville, Carver and Southern, producing 46 points and 36 rebounds. He went for a 20-point, 14-rebound double-double against Carver and Balzer was two rebounds from having double-doubles in all three games after generating 18 points and eight boards at Montoursville.

Game of the Week

Lourdes at Sullivan County: Today’s game features two District 4 Class A title contenders and is a rematch of last year’s semifinal which the Red Raiders won. Lourdes swept two games from the Griffins a year ago and this will be a good early-season barometer for both teams. Entering the week, Sullivan was first in the district standings and Lourdes third.