Harden continues flying and diving around the court, fueling the defense and running the offense. The injuries took a toll, but they never dented Harden’s heart.

That continues beating strong and, sprained shoulder now healed, she reminded all how dangerous she is Thursday at Ron Insinger Gymanasium even if labrum surgery awaits.

Harden scored 11 points, grabbed seven rebounds, dealt four assists and made three steals, igniting a second-half push as Loyalsock defeated Bloomsburg, 48-26.

“It’s probably my last year playing, so I just wanted to play for as long as I could. That’s why I didn’t get the surgery,” Harden said. “When I’m out there, the adrenaline helps carry you, so you don’t really feel pain, and it doesn’t bother me that much.”

Jaekairah Harden of Loyalsock dives to the floor to try to gain possession of the ball against Bloomsburg at Loyalsock High School. Loyalsock won, 48–26. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Harden played through the injury last season, helping Loyalsock capture the 3A state championship. She missed two December games after spraining her other shoulder but has heated up since returning. Thursday, Harden was the one performing surgery against Bloomsburg.

“She’s a tough kid. She plays scrappy; she plays hard,” Loyalsock coach Curtis Jacobson said. “She does a lot of dirty work and really helps make a lot of plays for us. Her knowledge of the game is impressive.”

“She’s a really hard worker. You would never know she was injured,” Loyalsock center Alaina Dadzie said. “She pushes through the pain. She has a really good work ethic. She just wants it.”

Dadzie produced her eighth double-double, going for 23 points, 15 rebounds and five steals. Madison Perry made four steals and four assists and Stella Smith was strong off the bench with six second-half points. Addie Bastian added three steals.

Still, it was Harden who really made everything fall into place after Loyalsock struggled during the first half and took a 17-10 lead into the locker room. Harden did a bit of everything and was the catalyst for a game-changing 16-3 run which helped the Lancers extend their lead to 20 late in the third quarter. Harden scored five points, made two steals and forced four turnovers during that time, adding two assists.

Alaina Dadzie of Loyalsock pulls in a rebound against Bloomsburg at Loyalsock High School. Loyalsock won, 48–26. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Harden and Dadzie are the lone starters back from last year’s team, although Jillian Kennedy may be returning soon. And with so many teams focused on slowing Dadzie, a Bucknell recruit, the team’s defensive stopper turning offensive has been a must.

Harden continues embracing that role, reaching double figures in five of her last six games. She also has scored eight or more in all six games since returning from the sprained shoulder.

“I realize that I need to step up and help my team by looking to score more than I usually do,” Harden said. “I feel like any time I make a play; my teammates will help me clean it up if it’s not perfect.”

Understanding that is big, too. Because even if she does not finish, Harden attacking the basket creates opportunities. Her presence commands attention and she can generate a faster tempo which she did particularly well in the second half.

Playing as fast and as aggressive as Harden does means mistakes will happen sometimes. Loyalsock will take those as long as she stays in attack-mode. Harden flipping that switch led to 35 second half shot attempts. Dadzie was outstanding on the boards and players like Perry, Bastian, Smith and Maddie Wertz also hit the glass hard, giving Loyalsock second and third chance scoring opportunities as the offense caught up to the defense and delivered a knockout blow.

Madison Perry of Loyalsock passes to team mate Jaekairah Harden as they play Bloomsburg at Loyalsock High School. Loyalsock won, 48–26. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

“Some of her moves and how she finds little creases to get through are really impressive,” Jacobson said. “She’s finding ways to finish around the rim. We talked to her the other day about how, ‘You’re not going to get taller by the end of the season. Your gift is your speed and your athletic ability, so let’s find a way to use that gift in every way we can and in every scenario we can.'”

For a team younger than last season Harden also provides Loyalsock valuable big-game experience. As a sophomore she played her best basketball during Loyalsock’s run to the state’s Final 4. A year ago, she moved to starting point guard, became one of the state’s elite defenders and constantly helped set the tone as Loyalsock became Lycoming County’s first girls’ basketball state champion.

Combine the experience with the skills and relentlessness and Loyalsock has a good senior leader who gives the younger players another mentor. Although her actions say a lot, coaches would love for Harden to speak her mind as well. A player who pushes her team through grit also could push it even higher with a few well-chosen words.

“She’s a quiet kid. She just goes and competes and sometimes we have to break down that wall to get her to speak and say something because I know the right thing is on her mind and I think her teammates are going to respect what she says if she communicates a little bit more,” Jacobson said. “She expects a lot from herself and her teammates and I’d love for her to show it and lead by example like she does, but lead by her voice, too.”

Loyalsock spoke loud throughout the second half and forced 16 of Bloomsburg’s 27 turnovers. After Bloomsburg closed within 12-10 late in the second quarter, Loyalsock did not allow another field goal for more than 10 minutes, extending the lead to 20 by the time Delaney Zentner drilled a 3-pointer. Molly Boyer ignited that run when Harden found her on the wing and Boyer drove for a tide-shifting basket.

Madison Wertz of Loyalsock is fouled by Lucy Maclay of Bloomsburg as Wertz drives to the basket at Loyalsock High School. Loyalsock won, 48–26. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

“It’s kind of emphasized throughout the season. We strive to play good defense,” Harden said. “That’s how we get our points. You get defensive stops, you get in transition, so that’s how we score. It’s been pushed into us even more, so we can get those stops to help us score more throughout the game.”

Dadzie surged throughout the second half. She missed several close-range shots during the first 2 ½ quarters but remained poised and excelled as it progressed. Dadzie made six of her final seven shots and added two assists.

Despite three players often surrounding her, Dadzie took advantage of well-placed passes from her teammates, hustled for rebounds and made a big defensive impact as well.

“It’s hard when you miss. You don’t want to keep shooting but you kind of have to keep doing it. One is going to fall,” Dadzie said. “I tried to keep shooting. I trusted in my team that if it wasn’t going to go in, they will get the rebound and finish it for me. It was sticking with it and trying to keep pushing.”

BLOOMSBURG (26)

Alaina Dadzie of Loyalsock and Ally Bang of Bloomsburg fight for possession of a ball in the first half at Loyalsock High School. Loyalsock won, 48–26. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Delaney Zentner 2 0-0 5, Ally Bang 0 0-0 0, Lucy Maclay 2 0-0 4, Gabby Kashi 1 4-5 7, Riley Hunter 2 0-0 4, Hali Bower 1 0-0 2, Ella Flook 2 0-0 4. Totals 11 4-5 26.

LOYALSOCK (48)

Alaina Dadzie 9 4-5 23, Jaekairah Harden 5 1-2 11, Madison Perry 0 1-2 1, Maddie Wertz 1 1-2 3, Addie Bastian 1 0-0 2, Molly Boyer 1 0-0 2, Stella Smith 2 2-4 6. Totals 19 9-15 48.

Bloomsburg 8 2 4 12–26

Loyalsock 10 7 16 15–48

3-pointers: Bloomsburg 2 (Zentner, Kashi); Loyalsock 1 (Dadzie).

Records: Loyalsock 9-4, 4-1 HAC-III. Bloomsburg 6-6, 2-3.

Jaekairah Harden of Loyalsock leads the fast break against Bloomsburg at Loyalsock High School. Loyalsock won, 48–26. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Madison Perry of Loyalsock drives to the basket against Bloomsburg at Loyalsock High School. Loyalsock won, 48–26. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette