DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette Alaina Dadzie of Loyalsock reaches for a rebound during a girls basketball game against Bloomsburg at Loyalsock last week. The Lancers won 48–26.

Basketball occupies her immediate future. But what Loyalsock senior Alaina Dadzie hopes becomes cinematography becomes her life’s work.

Cinematographers turn a movie director’s vision into reality. They, essentially are the storytellers.

What a basketball story Dadzie has produced so far.

And, while she embraces the present, Dadzie also is excited about what the next chapter includes. The reigning 3A Player of the Year started writing that narrative last summer when she committed to play college basketball at Bucknell.

That choice made, Dadzie can now focus on making her last high school episode as fun as possible.

“I was really open to anything. I just wanted it to be over. It was so stressful,” Dadzie said after producing her eighth double-double in last Thursday’s 48-26 win against Bloomsburg. “I did it early summer, so it was super nice to have it off my shoulders. Now I can play one last season with the friends that I’ve been playing with forever, so that’s super nice.”

A two-time all-state selection who helped Loyalsock capture the 3A state championship last March, Dadzie steadily started receiving college interest from her freshman year on. A state Final 4 run her sophomore year upped that interest and a historic state title run really fueled it.

Dadzie kept an open mind while navigating the recruiting scene. When looking for a new home, the 6-foot-1 center found what she felt was the perfect one just 25 minutes away. It was not just the location, but familiarity which convinced Dadzie Bucknell was the right place.

“I knew it was a program that could be built upon,” Dadzie said a. “It’s a lot like what we preach here at Loyalsock, so I thought it would be a good fit and their coach thought so, too. I just think a lot of stuff we do is stuff they do there.”

Call the location a happy bonus. Getting to know the players and learning about the program is what really drew Dadzie Bucknell’s way. It also helped that the 4.0 student was impressed by the university’s film and media program.

Put it all together and everything felt right for a player who has helped a lot go right during four years at Loyalsock.

“Through the whole recruiting process, the group of girls I met were so welcoming,” Dadzie said. “So many people are saying they’re coming to home games. The girls on the team are saying we’re going to have crazy home games. It’s super nice that people want to support me at the collegiate level, so I’m excited.”

That goes for having a big decision behind her as well. It started out as a fun journey but the pressure increased as time went by. Playing at the next level was a big goal but finding the right place when so many options were available felt overwhelming at times.

Dadzie is used to drawing a crowd. Since her sophomore year, she has regularly been double and triple teamed, still topping 1,000 points and 500 rebounds before her junior year concluded. Those are games, however, and this is mapping one’s future, so it was that part of the movie where it can swing several different ways.

“It was definitely a lot. At first it was really exciting because you see coaches sending you texts, but half the time they just text you once and never again,” Dadzie said. “At first, I was like ‘Oh my gosh, all these coaches are contacting me and then they kind of dwindled but once it kind of picked up, it was so much to think about. You just want to play basketball and then you can’t just pick a school just to pick it. You have to think about what you want to do and what you want to major in, so it was a stressful time.”

Now, Dadzie can pour all her energy into making some more high school memories before those credits roll. She is having another excellent season and is among area leaders in points, rebounds and steals. Mostly a post player as a freshman, Dadzie also has evolved as a player these last three seasons and can beat a team with her speed, shooting, vision and penetration.

Developing those aspects has been crucial since Dadzie will likely be playing power forward or possibly small forward; on the wing at Bucknell.

“I’m tall here but in college I’m average height, so I definitely thought about it,” Dadzie said. “I thought I have to start handling the ball more and shooting outside because I can’t post up some 6-4 girl; it’s just not going to happen. Over the summer, I worked hard on my guard skills.”

Dadzie transformed into the complete package at Loyalsock, helping the Lancers reach new heights. But the evolution continues because as exciting as the high school story has been, Dadzie has a new college sequel to produce.

The coming attractions certainly make it look promising.

“I feel like they have a way to build,” Dadzie said. “Freshman year, you get in there and show what you can do and stick with it. I think it’s a good place for me.”

REFORMING THE BAND

Taylor Baldwin coached Sullivan County two years ago and Ansley Baldwin and Lily McCarty both started. All were absent last year, however. So, too, was exchange student Eva Fresno who was playing back home in Madrid, Spain.

Coach Baldwin’s return, however, brought Ansley Baldwin and McCarty back. Fresno’s arrival has added another spark and Sullivan is heating up. The Griffins (6-8) defeated St. John Neumann, 32-22 last Friday, were a few shots from beating 10-win Canton on its home court and continue making big strides following last year’s difficult four-win season.

“I feel like we had some adversity early but we’re clicking together and half our starters didn’t even play last year, so it was hard to find rhythm and togetherness at first,” McCarty said following a nine-point, 11-rebound, five-steal performance at Neumann. “But now that we’re coming together, I’m really excited to go deeper into the season and, hopefully, into the playoffs. That’s one of our goals.”

“Even the games we haven’t won, the ones that have been close, I think are really boosting their confidence. Wins like (Neumann) are big where you just have to find a way to do it,” Coach Baldwin said. “If I had to describe this team in one way it would be that they remind me of a group that always tries to find a way and fights hard the entire game.”

That includes Fresno who has fit like a glove in her first year at Sullivan. The versatile guard averages 10 points per game and continued excelling against Neumann, going for a game-high 13 points, five steals and four rebounds. Her maturity, as well as experience, has provided Sullivan a boost as a close-knit team pulls even tighter.

“She’s completely changed our team dynamic. She has been a really good influence on everybody, just watching the way she works and the way she plays,” McCarty said. “She brings a lot of confidence to our team that we really haven’t had before because she plays all year-round there. She has a lot of confidence and it brings a lot to everyone else.”

PUTBACKS

Neumann also features many moving parts, but highlighted its progress last week. Before battling Sullivan hard, the Knights avenged a previous defeat and thumped Millville, 43-31. Freshman Kaydance Meixel and Bre Nixon both scored 16 points and Meixel made seven steals against Sullivan with Kallee Johnson grabbing 14 rebounds … Bucktail (7-6) is heating up and has won three straight games while boosting its hopes of hosting a first-round playoff game. Kendall Wagner totaled 35 points, 16 rebounds and nine assists in wins against Sullivan and CMVT, while Eva Sockman grabbed 24 rebounds … Kendall Graham drained five 3-pointers in the middle quarters and scored a career-high 22 points, helping North Penn-Liberty move to .500 with a 56-23 win against Cowanesque Valley. Haley Litzelman scored 46 points in two Mountie wins last week and had 25 against Sayre before collecting her ninth double-double at CV with 21 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists … North Penn-Mansfield (7-6) made a statement Wednesday when it defeated NTL-I title contender Towanda, 43-41. It was the second straight win in three nights after Kameron Lightner put on a rebounding clinic in a 45-35 win against Central Mountain. Lightner produced 15 points and 26 rebounds and has 10 double-doubles this season. She also went over 200 rebounds this season, adding 10 more Friday against Troy.

Dr. Masse’s top 5 rankings:

1. Hughesville (12-2): Undefeated Central Columbia snapped Hughesville’s 11-game winning streak in an exciting battle Wednesday, but the Spartans regrouped and won a hard-fought 52-42 contest Friday against potential district playoff opponent Mount Carmel. Senior Allyssa King went off in the first quarter, drilling four of her five 3-pointers en route to scoring a career-high 17 points. Freshman forward Casey Schultz has been delivering off the bench in key moments and did so again Friday, scoring six fourth quarter points and helping Hughesville stop a Tornado comeback. Maddie Smith scored nine points to become the program’s all-time leading scorer. Chelsey Holmes set the previous mark of 1,137 points from 2005-08 with Smith breaking it 14 games into her junior season.

2. Loyalsock (9-4): Loyalsock used strong defense to produce wins against likely playoff qualifiers Southern Columbia and Bloomsburg, allowing 58 points in those games. The Lancers changed the complexion at Southern by not allowing a second quarter point after it was tied 14-14 entering the quarter. Dadzie had a double-double in that game and Jaekairah Harden matched a career-high with 17 points and six steals. The Lancers face another potential playoff opponent Wednesday when they host Mount Carmel. Two nights later is a rivalry game with the Lancers and Williamsport colliding.

3. Muncy (12-1): Although Northeast Bradford handed it its first defeat, Muncy came thundering back and closed its week with an impressive 37-25 win at Northwest in a rematch of both last year’s Mid-Penn championship and District 4 Class AA semifinal. The Indians allowed just field goals and Anna Zalonis scored 13 points, going 4 for 4 at the line with four 3-pointers. Ava Eyer (11) and Alexis McKeta (8) combined for 19 rebounds. If one believes in superstitions,the Northeast Bradford loss could be a good omen. The Panthers also defeated Muncy the past two regular seasons before Muncy came back and defeated them for the district championship both times.

4. Canton (10-3): Canton has won three straight games and made quick work of Williamson and Sayre last week. Cailyn Van Noy scored 38 points and made 14 points in those victories. Daveian Crowley nearly had a double-double at Sayre with 12 points and nine rebounds. Stella Rockwell and Lydia Roupp provide balance and are combining for 15.1 points per game. The Warriors are fourth in the District 4 Class AA playoff standings and still have a shot at moving higher. Staying in the top four would earn it a home playoff game for a second straight season.

5. Milton (7-5): Milton entered Monday’s game at Hughesville riding a four-game winning streak. The Black Panthers are tied for first in the HAC-II and produced quality wins against Montoursville and Shamokin last week. Milton erased a three-point second half deficit against Shamokin, winning, 48-33. Jaslene Holder heated up and scored a career-high 17 points in a 46-35 win against Montoursville and Hayden Snyder had a season-best 10 against Shamokin. Liz Schrock continues controlling the boards and had 17 rebounds in the victories, along with six blocks against Shamokin.

Players of the Week

Carrie King, Milton and Kelsie Wagner, Bucktail: King frequently stuffs the stat sheet and did it in dominant fashion against Montoursville, going for 17 points, 15 rebounds, six assists and six steals. King was at it again, generating 12 points, six rebounds and five steals against Shamokin. King reached 1,000 career points as a junior, but is much more than just a scorer. So is Wagner who is enjoying a tremendous freshman season and was a force in two Bucktail wins last week. Wagner scored a career-high 33 points against CMVT and 21 against Sullivan County. She made 15 of 21 shots in the CMVT victory and added five rebounds, four assists and three steals.

Game of the Week

Muncy at South Williamsport: Saturday’s game is a big win in the Mid-Penn West standings. Muncy holds a one-game lead and could all but secure a second straight division championship with a win here. Points came at a premium when these rivals collided last month with Muncy, winning, 27-14.

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