But he could sure hear it.

Fans filled every seat possible before Friday’s Muncy-South Williamsport game started. Both large fan bases had plenty to cheer, but Butler helped South bring the noise at the most crucial time and the Mounties left the raucous environment tied for first place in the Mid-Penn’s West Division.

Butler scored 13 of his game-high 18 points in the fourth quarter, not missing once from the field as South completed an impressive comeback and defeated Muncy, 64-57. It was the latest thriller in a series defined by them and South (12-4, 4-1) avenged its lone division loss, while tying the Indians (13-6, 4-1) for first. The Mounties turned a nine-point third quarter deficit into an 11-point fourth quarter lead and won their seventh straight game. This is one the Mounties likely will not soon forget.

“It was a blast. That’s the biggest crowd we’ve ever had here,” Butler said. “It was an awesome environment, seeing everyone come out to support us. This one will definitely be a memorable for a lot of us.”

Kyree Moy of South Williamsport and Carter Feigles of Muncy race after a rebound at South Williamsport High School Friday night. South won the game 64-57. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

All the Mounties made memories Friday, including Andrew Walter who nearly collected his third straight double-double with 12 points and nine rebounds. Chance Quimby scored 14 points, Samir Moy 10 and South shot 56 % from the field while flipping the script after Muncy threatened to bust things open.

Every player did his part. On a night South honored junior high coach Scott Lowery for coaching his 800th career game, the Mounties offered him a powerful tribute.

“What a gritty performance,” South coach Joe Simon said. “At halftime, we told them it was going to take, hustle, energy and heart and they came out and played like that in the second half.”

And, despite South seizing momentum, Muncy displayed a similar relentless mentality. South led by 11 with 2 ½ minutes remaining, but Jaxton Frantz and Jermain Morgan ignited a furious rally as the Indians closed within, 56-52 with 82 seconds left.

From there, Butler, Quimby and Moy, who shined off the bench, all hit clutch free throws, and South made it five straight wins for the home team in a series which has swung like a pendulum the past two years.

Neeko Bowen of South Williamsport tries to steal the ball from Dominic Guardini of Muncy at South Williamsport High School Friday night. South won the game 64-57. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

“This whole team battled,” Muncy coach Jason Gresh said. “Carter (Feigles) got some big steals in the first half and some transition points, Gavin (Barrows) made a couple 3s and everyone we used did something good. “We’re starting to distribute that (the points) a little better which is huge.”

Frantz had a hand in the first half’s final seven points, hitting a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to put Muncy up, 28-21 at halftime. Kyran Lisembee (7 points, 5 rebounds) hit a left-handed runner to make it a nine-point game 48 seconds into the third, but South rattled off eight straight points in the next 79 seconds, and Butler’s drive made it a one-point game. That was part of a 22-point third and Moy’s free throws in the quarter’s final minute put South ahead for the first time since the first quarter.

Butler made sure the Mounties stayed in that position.

The junior guard who first broke onto the scene with an impressive playoff performance at Muncy as a freshman, was contained for the first three quarters. Simon challenged him at halftime, Butler accepted and he went into overdrive in the fourth, making all five shots, including two 3-pointers and an over the shoulder reverse which put South up, 56-49.

“Coach got me on at halftime, saying I wasn’t being as aggressive. I flipped a switch and got it done,” Butler said. “It (hearing the crowd’s reaction) is one of the greatest feelings ever. It was a big momentum changer for our team, too.”

Chance Quimby of South Williamsport tries to stop the drive to the basket by Dominic Guardini of Muncy at South Williamsport High School Friday night. South won the game 64-57. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Indeed. Butler hit a corner 3-pointer to open the fourth, scored off two strong moves to the basket, and added another 3-pointer which put South up, 54-43. After Muncy clawed back, Butler helped drop the hammer, rebounding a missed free throw, scoring off the putback and giving South a 61-52 advantage with 35 seconds remaining.

“That was a great performance in the fourth quarter for Levi. I got on him at halftime about trying to get to the hoop and quit trying to finish away from the contact and to play through the contact and finish strong,” Simon said. “Just that mentality of attacking and not shying away from contact plays into the rest of his game as well. And, as we get that momentum, everyone gets fired up and starts playing with that energy.”

South carried that momentum like a freight train throughout the second half, outscoring Muncy 33-13 after the Indians went up nine. As has been the case throughout the team’s seven-game winning streak, it was all the Mounties delivering.

Walter hit a game-tying third quarter 3-pointer, Neeko Bowen found Walter for a game-tying layup also that quarter and Quimby had a hand in seven straight first quarter points after Muncy opened the game on a 6-0 run. Jaymes Carpenter grabbed five rebounds, Bobby Regan played strong defense, and Moy continued his excellent freshman year, providing South production in all facets while showing no fear.

“This was excellent. The student section came out again, and the fans came out. This is the biggest game I can recall of us having this many fans packed in there,” Simon said. “When you get down and you start to come back, the crowd energy like that can really add momentum to you. It was nice to see the crowd come out and support the boys.”

Andrew Walter of South Williamsport puts up a shot against Muncy at South Williamsport High School Friday night. South won the game 64-57. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Muncy also was backed passionately by its large fan base, including a significant student section. Those fans were feeling especially excited as Muncy asserted control late in the first half. The first quarter featured eight lead changes before the Indians went up seven in the second only for South to tie it again.

From there, Frantz found Lamper and Feigles for baskets before hitting his last-second trey as Muncy went into halftime on a high. This has become a heavyweight series, however, and neither team ever goes down without a fight. That is why, while disappointed with the result, Muncy also understands it likely will benefit from Friday’s game.

“Right now, we have Jax who played off the bench last year, Dom and Ky who played a lot of varsity. That’s it,” Gresh said. “These guys have not played in atmosphere like this at all in any way, shape or form, so it’s really good for them to get into this atmosphere and battle. If nothing else, in the big picture, this is good stuff against a good Triple A team.”

So much remains to be determined, but these teams could see each other again. The Mid-Penn has a new tiebreaker this season. Instead of going on overall conference record in the event of a tie, a division championship would be held. If South and Muncy end up tied, they would collide on a neutral court for the title. But with both squads playing surging Neumann next week, the only guarantee seems to be another fun week of wildly entertaining games.

“This was one we definitely wanted,” Butler said. “This was a big one.”

Andrew Walter of South Williamsport tries to pass the ball over the defense of Gavin Burrows of Muncy at South Williamsport High School Friday night. South won the game 64-57. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

MUNCY (57)

Gavin Barrows 3 0-0 8, Carter Feigles 2 0-0 4, Kyran Lisembee 3 1-2 7, Jaxton Frantz 3 6-6 14, Jermain Morgan 2 0-2 5, Dominic Guardini 3 2-3 9, Dylan Mausteller 1 0-0 2, Caleb Beaver 0 0-0 0, Nixon Lamper 4 0-2 8, Bohdy Thomas 0 0-0 0. Totals 21 9-15 57.

SOUTH (64)

Bobby Regan 1 0-0 2, Andrew Walter 4 2-3 12, Samir Moy 3 4-5 10, Neeko Bowen 1 2-2 4, Kyree Moy 0 0-0 0, Chance Quimby 5 3-4 14, Levi Butler 7 2-6 18, Jaymes Carpenter 2 0-0 4. Totals 23 13-20 64.

Muncy 14 14 13 16–57

South 13 8 22 21–64

3-pointers: Muncy 6 (Barrows 2, Frantz 2, Morgan, Guardini); South 5 (Walter 2, Butler 2, Quimby).

Records: South 12-4, 4-1 Mid-Penn. Muncy 13-6, 4-1.

Andrew Walter of South Williamsport tries to put up a shot as he’s defended by Gavin Burrows and Nixon Lamper of Muncy at South Williamsport High School Friday night. South won the game 64-57. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Andrew Walter of South Williamsport holds on tight to the ball as Gavin Burrows of Muncy tries to steal it at South Williamsport High School Friday night. South won the game 64-57. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Samir Moy and Levi Bulter of South Williamsport celebrate after Moy scored points and drew a foul against Muncy at South Williamsport High School Friday night. South won the game 64-57. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Samir Moy of South Williamsport tries to stop the drive to the basket by Jaxton Frantz of Muncy at South Williamsport High School Friday night. South won the game 64-57. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Chance Quimby of South Williamsport can’t stop the shot by Gavin Burrows of Muncy at South Williamsport High School Friday night. South won the game 64-57. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette