Muncy has topped 40 points just once. It has endured some painful shooting performances as well.

Muncy also is 3-0.

Offense can come and go, but stifling defense can be a constant winning ingredient. Muncy has District 4 Class AA championship banners from the past two seasons validating that. But in case anyone forgot, Muncy has used its first three games to produce a defensive clinic and show how valuable fabulous defense can be.

“We really pride ourselves on defense and trying to keep people to low scoring totals,” forward Alexis McKeta said. “That’s what we try and do every game.”

They do so quite well.

A year after allowing fewer than 30 points per game, Muncy has surrendered just 58 points during its 3-0 start. That includes last Tuesday’s 27-14 win against previously undefeated South Williamsport. The “worst” defensive performance came against 4A Milton when Muncy allowed just four second-half field goals and won, 34-27, capturing its Rotary Tournament championship in the process.

Muncy began that game shooting 1 for 26. It went 0 for 13 during the first quarter against South. But instead of growing frustrated, Muncy has grown even more determined defensively, letting just one team reach double figures (10) in a quarter.

“I have no complaints about how we play defense,” Muncy coach Craig Weaver Sr. said following the South win. “It’s like I told them, you keep playing that hard-nosed defense and you’re going to be in every game we play.”

These three games prove it. Every team at every level has off-shooting nights. Sometimes those slumps last more than one game. It hasn’t been poor execution either, just missed shots, mostly quality looks, so it’s a matter of time before the percentages even out and Muncy starts making more.

Once those start falling, this team becomes even more dangerous. Because the intense defense is not a result of Muncy compensating for a struggling offense. It is simply who these players are.

Weaver has preached strong defense at every successful coaching staff and that defensive approach is a perfect fit for a group of athletes who relentlessly compete, also proving it on the soccer field last fall when most were on the district champion squad which reached the Final 4.

All are fast, tough and smart, all vital successful defensive ingredients. Defenders guard their player well, but also help, communicate and rotate equally well. They are well-schooled and well-conditioned.

They will give some points, but never without a fight. The fight continues Wednesday when Muncy heads to St. John Neumann.

The offense will try coming alive there. But whatever improvements are made there, tenacious defense will remain the foundation success is built upon.

“They will always get after it,” Weaver said. “When you put that much energy and work into it, you’re going to do some good things.”

ADJUSTING WELL: South bounced back and defeated St. John Neumann, 48-22 Saturday. The Mounties improved to 3-1 and are making nice strides under first-year coach Jaquan Masteller. Julie Anthony is the lone assistant back from last year’s staff and Nick Koletar has moved from boys to girls’ basketball, giving South a blend of both new energy and familiarity.

Early indications are good with South winning its three games by double-digit margins. The defense has been strong and the offense balanced. Six players have scored at least eight points in a game and the Mounties are playing both loose and unselfish.

“We’re looking ahead to the rest of the season. The girls are excited about the program,” Masteller said. “We really like all the effort and energy they are putting into the program.”

Winning three of the first four games also provides a lift entering tonight’s game at North Penn-Mansfield. A year after reaching the District 4 Class AAA playoffs, South appears eager to try and keep elevating as both the players and coaches settle in.

“We have a new coaching staff this year and as a player from last year, you might not know what the new coaching staff is going to bring to the table. Everyone is learning everyone’s style,” Koletar said. “I think they’re starting to see what the coaches are trying to install and they’re starting to execute that stuff. They’re learning to play as a team and to be 3-1 kind of puts that on display that we can keep building on from that.”

PUTBACKS: Williamsport gave coach Lamar Ballard his first win Saturday, defeating Selinsgrove, 30-27. The Millionaires did not allow more than eight points in a quarter and Jaelynn Helmrich and Zaelana Minor each had eight points. Laylah Martin and Clara Fabian each had six … Sullivan County could be a team to watch in District 4 Class A. The Griffins defeated Millville on the road for the first time since 2021 last Friday, winning, 30-18. Sullivan (2-4) has played a tough schedule with four losses coming against 2025 state qualifiers and/or district semifinalists. Lily McCarty scored 11 points in the Millville win with Ansley Baldwin adding seven and Eva Fresno six … Montgomery opened its season with an exciting 39-36 win against CMVT. The Red Raiders played five freshmen in that game and Paige Winters scored 16 points with Rihanna Arrendondo adding nine … Central Mountain looks like it could be a title contender in the HAC-I with some exciting freshmen complementing leading returner scorer Camdyn Weaver. Weaver scored 20 points in a 58-54 loss at Bellwood-Antis. Freshmen Payton Williams (17) and Reagan Weaver (13) highlighted their potential combining for 30 points … Emily George collected a double-double of 11 points, 11 rebounds and three steals in Montoursville’s 42-38 loss at Danville. Kayleigh Sheleman scored 18 points and added six boards, while Marleigh Bainbridge pulled down 12 rebounds … Milton (3-2) won twice last week, defeating Selinsgrove and Warrior Run, while allowing just 39 points. Carrie King had a double-double against Warrior Run and closed the week with 23 points, 18 rebounds and 12 steals. Elizabeth Schrock grabbed 19 rebounds in the wins … Haley Litzelman was a force in North Penn-Liberty’s 44-41 loss against Athens. The senior forward totaled 26 points, 19 rebounds, six blocks and four assists … Lily Wagner scored a career-high 14 points and added four steals, helping Wellsboro defeat Sayre, 42-27. Kate Bryant scored 11 points and Ady Frantz made five steals … Addy Shedleski played a fabulous game in Lewisburg’s 50-40 loss at Mifflin County, scoring a career-high 19 points and grabbing a career-best 16 rebounds. Ava Motto also had a strong game with 17 points.

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

DR. MASSE’S TOP 5 RANKINGS

1. Loyalsock (3-1): Down two starters at Saturday’s Elizabethtown Showcase, the defending 3A state champions lost their first game, 38-29 against Delone Catholic. Alaina Dadzie was a force but Loyalsock was unable to generate much offense around her. Dadzie scored a game-high 17 points, pulled down 16 rebounds and added four steals against the perennial state title contender. Jaekairah Harden added eight points, four assists and three steals. Loyalsock’s daunting stretch of games continues this week against District 2 power Crestwood and five-time defending District 4 Class AAAA champion Central Columbia.

2. Hughesville (2-1): The Spartans will be playing for the first time in a week tonight and it will be an intriguing matchup at Wyalusing. The Rams could be a sleeper in the 3A field, so this will be an early-season test. Hughesville had little trouble against Lewisburg in its lone game a week ago, winning, 58-30. The Spartans have allowed just 64 points in their first two wins. Maddie Smith scored 22 points in that victory, going over 20 for a third time. Kendall Hamm runs the offense well and added 12 points. Highlighting the team’s balance, four players have scored in double digits thus far and freshman Casey Schultz had eight off the bench against Lewisburg.

3. Muncy (3-0): McKeta had a breakout game against South, scoring nine points, grabbing nine rebounds and adding three steals. Her development inside complements Ava Eyer who had eight points and six rebounds. Rosie Zalonis dealt four assists and Emma McCormick helped set the defensive tone as did Anna Zalonis. Going back to last season, Muncy has held 12 opponents to fewer than 20 points. It also has not lost a league game during regular season play these past two years.

4. Jersey Shore (3-1): Despite graduating four seniors from the most successful class in program history, Jersey Shore keeps forging forward and has won three straight games, all coming on the road. The Bulldogs handed Mifflinburg its first loss, winning 42-39 before defeating Warrior Run, 39-29. The future looks bright as well with freshmen Marlee Lehman (16) and Sadie Schall (9) combining for 25 points at Warrior Run. Senior Avery DePasqua provides good leadership and scored 15 points in the Mifflinburg victory. That win was impressive as it was gutsy after the Bulldogs erased a 12-point second quarter deficit. Jersey Shore has one more road game coming Tuesday at Bloomsburg before it plays its home opener Saturday against Troy.

5. South Williamsport (3-1): Both the present and future could be exciting for South. Ella Moore is the team’s lone senior, so a strong nucleus is in place the next few years. Moore had a strong game against Neumann, producing 12 points, six rebounds, five steals and three assists.

Players of the Week

Kameron Lightner, North Penn-Mansfield and Kelsie Wagner, Bucktail: Lightner wasted no time building off her excellent junior season. The senior forward produced a double-double in a season-opening win against Cowanesque Valley, going for a career-high 23 points, 15 rebounds and three steals. Going back to last season, Lightner has 11 double-doubles in her last 23 games. Wagner is making a huge impact as a freshman and dazzled in a 43-15 win against West Branch, scoring 27 points and pulling down 11 rebounds. In her first three games, Wagner is averaging 18 points and has 19 rebounds in her last two, helping Bucktail win each time.

Game of the Week

Central Columbia at Loyalsock: Thursday’s game is a showdown between defending District 4 champions with Central taking 4A and Loyalsock 3A last year. Central was the last team to beat Loyalsock on its way to the state championship, taking a one-point thriller in the final five seconds at the Heartland Conference final. Central brings back four starters and is a heavy favorite to capture a sixth straight Class AAAA crown, so this will be yet another test for Loyalsock.