MUNCY–Ava Eyer often is the last person who knows how many rebounds she produced that night.

That’s not her focus. Winning is.

But Eyer becoming such a skilled rebounder sure has helped Muncy win a lot the past three seasons. It did so again Friday. Eyer collected her 500th career rebound against St. John Neumann, finishing with 15 points and seven boards as Muncy won, 53-7 and clinched a second straight Mid-Penn West Division championship.

Eyer, a junior, needed four rebounds to reach the milestone and did so by halftime as Muncy (16-1, 6-0 built a 24-2 halftime lead.

“However I can help the team is what I want to do,” Eyer said. “I don’t count them in my head. It’s just box out, get the rebound and then go.”

Eyer and her teammates possessing that mentality has helped Muncy capture two straight District 4 Class AA championships and earn a spot in a second consecutive Mid-Penn Conference championship. The Indians will play Northwest for the title Saturday, Feb. 14, tentatively at Neumann.

Rosie Zalonis scored 13 points and added five rebounds and seven players scored as Muncy made its Senior Night a joyous one, winning its sixth straight game. Nearly every basketball player, including Eyer, played soccer last fall when Muncy won its first district championship and reached the state’s Final 4.

Those soccer players were recognized by Congressman Joe Hamm prior to Friday’s game. Eyer then went out and delivered her usual workmanlike performance to earn another honor.

Eyer frequently stuffs the stat sheet and Friday was no different. In addition to the points and rebounds, Eyer also made seven steals and dealt three assists as Muncy cruised against an improved Neumann team which took second-place South Williamsport to the limit two days earlier.

“Ava probably had one of her better games tonight. She’s playing loose and free,” Muncy coach Craig Weaver Sr. said. “She’s been all over the floor all year long. Offensive rebounds, defensive rebounds … the kid can play the game.”

Eyer has proven that since taking the court as a freshman two years ago and helping Muncy win its first district title since 2001. She has improved in each of the past two seasons and is among the area’s leading rebounders this season, producing six double-doubles.

Like her teammates, Eyer can play virtually every position. She was primarily in the post against Neumann and generated eight points, six rebounds and five steals by halftime. Her 500th rebound came in the second quarter when Eyer also scored six points and helped Muncy start breaking open the game.

“It’s a really good accomplishment,” Eyer said. “I didn’t know I was close but I’m proud of it.”

Muncy played its trademark stifling defense and surrendered just one field goal, while forcing 33 turnovers against a team which had averaged 50 points over its previous three games. Anna Zalonis and Emma McCormick each made three steals and Alexis McKeta pulled down six rebounds. Abby Neidermyer, Hailey Ganoe and Rachel Paulhamus all scored four points with Ganoe grabbing six rebounds.

Muncy was equally effective offensively. The Indians converted their high-octane offense into a more methodical offensive approach. Doing so helped them frequently set each other up for high-percentage shots with six different players generating assists.

“We’ve really stressed about going hard defensively and trying to transfer that into the letting the offense work which is tough to do,” Weaver said. “They did a nice job of that there was some good ball movement tonight and we found open girls.”

It was just the kind of performance Muncy was hoping for following a close call last Saturday when it edged South, 32-30. The Indians made 11 of 18 second-half shots and frequently attacked the glass, creating second and third-chance opportunities when those shots did not fall.

“Last game was one of our worst games but coming into Neumann we knew we had to fix our mistakes,” Eyer said. “We just had to play all-out offense and defense.”

Mission accomplished.

NEUMANN (7)

Bre Nixon 0 0-0 0, Kaydance Meixel 1 2-8 4, Kallee Johnson 0 0-2 0, Haylee Meixel 0 2-2 2, Savana Smith 0 0-0 0, Brooklyn Clabaugh 0 1-2 1, Alexa Clabaugh 0 0-0 0, Emily Moyle 0 0-0 0. Totals 1 5-14 7.

MUNCY (53)

Ava Eyer 6 3-4 15, Rosie Zalonis 5 2-2 13, Anna Zalonis 0 0-0 0, Emma McCormick 2 2-2 7, Alexis McKeta 2 2-4 6, Rachel Paulhamus 2 0-0 4, Hailey Ganoe 2 0-0 4, Abby Neidermyer 1 2-2 4. Totals 20 11-14 53.

Neumann 2 2 2 1–7

Muncy 12 12 19 10–53

3-pointers: Muncy 2 (R. Zalonis, McCormick).

Records: Muncy 16-1. Neumann 3-13.