The Spartans want to flush the performance and move on. Still, they also need to remember it because it provides a valuable lesson. And if Hughesville does learn from the experience than it can become a big positive.

Friday at the Shikellamy Field House, however, was a negative as Quinlan Blake dazzled and Central Columbia battered Hughesville, 62-31 while repeating as HAC champions. Blake scored 36 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and made nine steals and Central (24-0) snapped Hughesville’s 10-game winning streak.

“If you’re going to lose now is the time to do it. It gives you something to work on going forward,” Hughesville coach Dustin King said. “I think we got a little lackadaisical the last couple of weeks, so maybe this will light a fire under them.”

The Spartans (21-3) certainly need to regain some smoke. Central is a super team which has the potential to make a deep 4A state tournament run. Still, Hughesville held a second half lead against it when they met a month earlier and dropped a hard-fought 48-42 contest.

Vivian Draper of Hughesville and Quinlan Black of Central Columbia dive for a loose ball at Shikellamy High School. Central won 62-31. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

The most disappointing aspect this time around was how thoroughly Central outworked and outhustled Hughesville. A team which has built a winning culture, winning the HAC-III title upon relentless work, seemed stuck in quicksand as Central players dominated the boards and whizzed by and around it.

Add that to Blake showing all the abilities which have made her a Division I recruit as a sophomore and Central broke things wide open in the third quarter, going on an 18-3 run before imposing the mercy rule in the fourth. The Blue Jays also became the first team to beat Hughesville by 20 or more points in three years.

Hughesville trailed 32-21 at halftime but was well within range of launching a comeback. Instead, Central quickly put the game away, holding Hughesville scoreless for more than four minutes.

“This is the first time in probably three or four years that we got outworked. That hasn’t happened in a long time,” King said. “The way this team plays I feel like we’re never out of a game. But tonight, we didn’t have it.”

Blake did and showed why she may not just be District 4’s best player but the state’s top 4A player. Already offered by some Division I schools, the sophomore displayed her range and drained three 3-pointers while aggressively attacking the basket, finishing strong and going to the line.

Kendall Hamm of Hughesville splits the defense of Central Columbia at Shikellamy High School. Central won 62-31. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

She was a blur in transition and Blake’s nine steals both set the defensive tone while putting the offense into turbo mode. Blake had 27 points and 10 rebounds by the time the third quarter concluded, and Central led 50-24 at that point. Her NBA-range 3-pointer imposed the mercy rule early in the fourth.

Freshman Lily Huber looked like a future Central star and scored 10 points while adding eight rebounds. The 6-footer was strong inside and frequently muscled her way for rebounds which created second and third-chance scoring opportunities.

The way the game transpired was surprising since it felt like early it would be a back-and-forth contest. The lead changed hands three times and Hughesville went ahead, 7-6 on a Kylie Temple drive. From there, though, Central dominated and started imposing its will.

Maddie Smith scored 12 points for Hughesville and Allyssa King had 10, along with three steals. Freshman Casey Schultz provided a first half lift off the bench, continuing her strong second half this season and scoring four quick points.

As frustrating as Friday’s experience was, the sports history road is littered with teams who lost late-season contests before making lengthy postseason runs. Hughesville did so two years ago, losing a semifinal against Central before capturing its first district championship and reaching the state’s Elite 8.

Casey Shultz of Hughesville fights for a rebound under the basket against Central Columbia at Shikellamy High School. Central won 62-31. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

A year ago, Central defeated Loyalsock in the final before the Lancers went on to win district and state championships.

As is the case so often, it’s not a loss which defines a team but how it responds. Hughesville will have the opportunity to offer a response starting next Friday when it hosts either Bloomsburg or North Penn-Mansfield in the district quarterfinals.

Conference championships are great. But the biggest prizes remain out there. Those are the ones Hughesville covets the most.

Now it’s time to reset, refocus and understand what it will take to pounce on a second chance.

“We just talked about that in the locker room. When you play teams over and over again you have to bring it every night because the last outcome meant nothing,” King said. “Whoever it is, they’re all good teams. You have to play well every single night.”

Anna Easton of Hughesville puts up a shot against Central Columbia at Shikellamy High School. Central won 62-31. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Central Columbia 62, Hughesville 31

HUGHESVILLE (31)

Maddie Smith 4 2-4 12, Vivian Draper 0 0-0 0, Allyssa King 3 4-6 10, Kylie Temple 2 0-0 4, Anna Easton 0 0-0 0, Kendall Hamm 0 1-2 1, Casey Schultz 2 0-0 4, Tori Morgan 0 0-0 0. Totals 11 7-12 31.

CENTRAL (62)

Quinlan Blake 14 5-5 36, Jude Flick 1 1-2 3, Abby Welkom 1 0-0 3, Kayla Poust 1 0-0 2, Jada Tucker 1 0-0 2, Lily Huber 5 0-2 10, No. 12 1 0-0 3. Totals 25 6-8 62.

Casey Shultz of Hughesville fights for a rebound under the basket against Central Columbia at Shikellamy High School. Central won 62-31. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Hughesville    8 13 3 7–31

Central        14 18 18 12–62

3-pointers: Hughesville 2 (Smith 2); Central 6 (Blake 3, Welkom, Poust No. 3).

Records: Central 24-0. Hughesville 21-3.

Maddie Smith of Hughesville puts up a shot against Central Columbia at Shikellamy High School. Central won 62-31. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Maddie Smith of Hughesville puts up a shot against Central Columbia at Shikellamy High School. Central won 62-31. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Maddie Smith of Hughesville is fouled by Quinlan Black of Central Columbia at Shikellamy High School. Central won 62-31. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette