More aptly, the Warrior Run sophomore forward relentlessly hustled, worked and seized the moment at Loyalsock’s Ron Insinger Court. A standout offensive lineman last fall, Robinson proved he’s a mighty valuable basketball player, too.

On a night Warrior Run was without all-state center Aiden McKee and three-year starter Landon Polcyn, Robinson emerged from the shadows and played his best varsity game yet. He was a force in the fourth quarter, produced eight points, five rebounds and two assists and helped Warrior Run produce a gutsy 39-34 victory.

“That was amazing,” Robinson said. “I didn’t get a lot of playing time last year, so I got in because there were a few people out and I just had to prove myself.”

He emphatically did so.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Loyalsock's Issaic Blackwell (3) drives around Warrior Run's Carter Sheesley (1) in the second quarter.

And, as has been the case over the last four seasons, all the Defenders showcased they have the will to match their skill. Ethan Balzer scored a game-high 14 points and grabbed 16 rebounds; James Keifer dealt six assists and Warrior Run (10-1, 2-0 HAC-III) played fabulous defense, overcoming a third quarter deficit. Put it together and the Defenders downed a strong team despite missing 26 points and nearly 20 rebounds per game, as well as seven years of starting experience.

Nothing came easy, but different Warrior Run players made huge contributions at crucial times and the Defenders handed Loyalsock just its second loss in its last 10 games.

“I’m pretty happy and thrilled. It’s just a testament to those kids in the locker room,” Warrior Run coach Eric Wertman said. “They fight and they’re tough. They wanted their shot, and they didn’t let us down.”

Instead, they picked the team up. And Robinson helped lead the way.

A player who provided excellent blocking during a historic Warrior Run football season again excelled at doing all the dirty work which produces big wins. He provided terrific interior defense all game and showcased his offensive skills in the fourth quarter. It was not just that made plays, but when Robinson made them which loomed so large.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Loyalsock's Saoj Jones (0) blocks an attempted shot by Warrior Run's Cayden Robinson (55) in the fourth quarter.

Before fouling out late, Robinson scored four points, set up another key basket with a fabulous pass, blocked a shot, made a steal and scored off a putback in the quarter’s first five minutes. His assist to Carter Sheesley put Warrior Run up 31-27 and Keifer found him moments later inside, making it, 33-27. Following a Braydon Cioffi 3-pointer, Robinson came up big again, hustled into the lane, grabbed an offensive board and scored, pushing the lead to five.

“I was happy. I just had to prove myself,” Robinson said. “There are so many good players on our team that they got distract. It made it easier for me to score.”

Robinson epitomized the grind which helped Warrior Run win. Three of his five rebounds were offensive and Balzer added seven offensive boards. Conversely, Warrior Run allowed Loyalsock (8-3, 1-1) just two offensive rebounds.

He delivered in other areas, too. Robinson came sprinting from the lane, leaped and blocked a 3-point attempt which could have made it a three-point game. After Loyalsock seemingly had an offensive board, Robinson forced a tie-up and jarred the ball loose, so Balzer could grab it and erase another scoring opportunity.

Reserves often do not know when they might be called upon but have to ready when that moment comes. Robinson certainly was and he helped push Warrior Run over the top while validating all the hopes Warrior Run coaches have for him going forward.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Loyalsock's Saoj Jones (0) shoots between Warrior Run's Ethan Balzer (34) and Max Burden (40) in the third quarter.

“Cayden Robinson is someone we’ve had our eyes on the last two years now. He just had a really good football season, and he’s a beast,” Wertman said. “It’s inside of him; he just has to let it out and tonight I think he did a little bit. It was fun to see. I’m super proud of him.”

It was another Robinson hustle play which started shifting momentum in the third quarter. He furiously fought to extend the possession following a missed shot, then found Carter McCormick who made a go-ahead 3-pointer as Warrior Run took a 27-25 it never relinquished. McCormick then made a baseline drive to open the fourth quarter, extending the lead to four.

Cioffi hit two free throws which made it a two-point game at the five-minute mark, but Sheesley’s and Robinson’s four-point spurt made it, 33-27 and Loyalsock never pulled closer than three again.

The Lancers also were short-handed, too, playing without lone senior starter Jalil Coates who was sick. Like Warrior Run they experienced an awful first-half shooting performance, but more frustrating than anything, from the coaching staff’s perspective, was losing the hustle battle, especially on a night when points were so hard to come by.

“They played harder than us,” Loyalsock coach Ryan Cioffi said. “They had four of five buckets where they got offensive rebounds and when you’re playing a team like that and giving them multiple possessions, you’re just not going to win the game.”

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Loyalsock's (10) chases down the ball after it was batted away in the second quarter.

Braydon Cioffi scored 13 points for Loyalsock and Brecken Gusick totaled 10 points, six rebounds and five steals. Saoj Jones played excellent interior defense and added nine points, seven rebounds and three blocks, while Isaac Blackwell pulled down four boards. Loyalsock led for most of the first half when it felt like each team was playing with rigged amusement park rims.

Combined, they shot 19.6 % and Loyalsock led, 14-12 at halftime. Cioffi said two weeks ago that his team needed to do a better job playing hard when the shots are not falling. They had many opportunities to do so and proved they can hang in, just like they did last Saturday in a thrilling last-second win at Mifflinburg. Those are the positives Loyalsock will try building on moving ahead.

“Every game is a learning experience, and we’ll be better for it,” Cioffi said. “It’s back to the basics tomorrow and doing the things that have gotten us to where we’ve gotten to coming in. You turn the corner. We go to Hughesville Saturday, and we watch tape and prepare for that. You just get right after it and you learn from it.”

Warrior Run proved quick learners when it came to defense Wednesday. Usually a man-to-man team, the Defenders switched things up and went zone most of the night. They sure played like a seasoned team in that regard, moving well, rarely giving up open 3-pointers and allowing double digits in just one quarter.

Keifer was a huge part of that defensive success, but his biggest quality was his calm, unflappable play against Loyalsock. An all-star quarterback last fall, Keifer calmly ran the offense and rarely turned the ball over. With so much different Wednesday, Keifer’s reliable play was a constant and was especially evident when Loyalsock tried ramping up the pressure.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Loyalsock's Brayden Cioffi (33) shoots around Warrior Run's Ethan Balzer (34) in the second quarter.

Again, Keifer was cool under fire and helped Warrior Run secure its 10th win.

“You can see the quarterback in him. He’s steady all the time. He’s intelligent and it shows late in the game,” Wertman said. “There were multiple times late in the game where I thought about using a timeout, but he had it. He was getting ready to be double teamed, and I said, ‘He’s all right.’ He’s just super intelligent and a great player and great person.”

WARRIOR RUN (39)

Ethan Balzer 5 4-6 14, James Keifer 3 1-5 8, Carter Sheesley 2 0-2 4, Carter McCormick 2 0-0 5, Clayton Skokoski 0 0-0 0, Max Burden 0 0-0 0, Cayden Robinson 4 0-0 8, Logan Stevenson 0 0-0 0. Totals 16 5-13 39.

LOYALSOCK (34)

Braydon Cioffi 4 2-2 13, Brecken Gusick 5 0-0 10, Saoj Jones 3 2-2 9, Isaac Blackwell 1 0-0 2, Ronnie Emery 0 0-0 0, Ryan Lingg 0 0-0 0, Ethan Boyer 0 0-0 0. Totals 13 4-4 34.

Warrior Run 8 4 15 12–39

Loyalsock 9 5 11 9–34

3-pointers: Warrior Run 2 (Keifer, McCormick); Loyalsock 4 (Cioffi 3, Jones).

Records: Warrior Run 10-1, 2-0 HAC-III. Loyalsock 8-3, 1-1.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Loyalsock's Braydon Cioffi (33) shoots in front of Warrior Run's Carter McCormick (21) in the second quarter.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Loyaksock's Saoj Jones (0) prepares to slap away an attempted shot by Warrior Run's Carter McCormick (21) in the first quarter.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Warrior Run's Carter McCormick (21) shoots around Loyalsock's Saoj Jones (0) in the first quarter.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Warrior Run's Ethan Balzer (34) shoots between Loyalsock's Issaic Blackwell (3) and Saoj Jones(0) in the first quarter.