As that work started, other questions persisted. The big one was could Chilson really make a significant contribution after missing his sophomore and junior years after dislocating his knee cap each time? Well, Chilson has provided an emphatic response.

Yes, he can. And Saturday at the Magic Dome, Chilson provided another prime example, while helping Williamsport win a thriller against neighborhood rival Loyalsock.

Chilson scored eight points, grabbed eight rebounds, blocked two shots and made two steals as Williamsport held off a furious Lancer second-half rally and won, 63-55 in front of a large crowd. Tevin Williams scored a game-high 19 points, Naazir Lowe (13 points, 7 rebounds) made a run at a double-double and Saleem Overton added 10 points off the bench as Williamsport (11-9) won its second straight in the annual series.

“It puts a smile on my face to know all the hard work and therapy paid off,” Chilson said. “It’s definitely rewarding now being out there.”

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Loyalsock's Saoj Jones (0) looks for a shot around Williamsport's Naazir Lowe (2) during a high school boys basketball game at Williamsport on Saturday.

Williamsport has been rewarded by Chilson’s dedication and tenacity. Honestly, nobody was sure how Chilson would perform this season. He had no JV experience, playing only ninth-grade basketball. But when some players expected to occupy big roles did not come out, opportunity came calling.

Chilson pounced, worked his way into the starting lineup and has played a key role in helping Williamsport ascend to the top of the District 2-4 Class AAAAAA standings. He certainly excelled against Loyalsock, erasing two potential layups with blocks and scoring the game’s final three points after Loyalsock (13-9) cut an 18-point third quarter deficit to 59-55 with two minutes remaining.

“We weren’t sure how he was going to hold up, how he was going to respond mentally but he was excited to get back,” Taylor said. “He was pretty committed and dedicated. He wanted to come out and have a good senior year. I’m just happy he was able to have a senior year because he really hasn’t had a high school career.

“He’s having a good one now.”

It continued against Loyalsock. It was not just that Chilson made plays, but when he made them which loomed so large. He erased four points with his blocks and created a five-point swing in the fourth quarter. After blocking what looked like would be a sure layup, Chilson took a Lowe pass seconds later and drained a 3-pointer which made it, 54-39 as the robust Williamsport student section roared.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Williamsport's Saleem Overton (3) brings the ball downcourt around Loyalsock's Ron Emery (2) during a high school boys basketball game at Williamsport on Saturday.

After Loyalsock closed within four and Quincy Williams pushed it back to 60-55 with a free throw, Chilson helped deliver the dagger. A Loyalsock 3-pointer was just off the mark and Mekhi Gaston secured the rebound before heading downcourt. Chilson came out of the blocks fast, beating a Lancer down the court and they combined on a 2-on-1 break with Gaston feeding Chilson for a layup.

“I just saw the lane open up and saw he was going to take it to the basket. I knew he would probably jump-stop and I was open for a layup,” Chilson said. “I just ran as fast as I could to get to the spot. I was actually out for a few minutes before that, so I was happy to get back in and score immediately.

Moments later, Chilson, an 86.7 % foul shooter hit a free throw and a defensive stop sealed Williamsport’s third consecutive win. Loyalsock made the Millionaires earn it the hard way, but tough competition is a challenge Chilson embraces.

He already has overcome so much, so these are the fun times and the moments to savor.

“I’m definitely happy for him. He’s had a couple of huge moments in some games that we needed his performance to come out with some Ws and he didn’t let us down,” Taylor said. “He used his length. He has a very long wingspan and got a couple deflections, a couple blocks and a couple steals. He was huge.”

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Williamsport's Tevin Williams (11) moves in under the basket past Loyalsock's Brecken Gusick (10) during a high school boys basketball game at Williamsport on Saturday.

Loyalsock did all it could to deliver a huge win in its regular-season finale.

Williamsport stormed out to a 9-0 lead but the Lancers tied it three times in the first half, the last on a Jalil Coates reverse layup, 20-20. The Millionaires then heated up, built a 37-25 halftime lead and looked ready to land a knockout blow when it pushed the lead to 18 just two minutes into the third quarter.

Instead, Loyalsock fought off the ropes and came thundering back. Every time it looked like Williamsport might put the game away, the Lancers rose from the canvas and the comeback hit turbo speed in the fourth quarter with a Braydon Cioffi 3-pointer and Brecken Gusick runner making it a six-point game. Saoj Jones then used a strong inside move to score and it was 59-55 with two minutes remaining. Chilson and Williamsport’s defense put out the fire, but Loyalsock certainly brought some smoke and built some momentum entering the playoffs.

“The kids responded. Being down 18, we counter-punched. They worked hard. They showed a lot of fight, a lot of willpower,” Loyalsock coach Ryan Cioffi said. “After the Lewisburg game (last Wednesday) it was about one word–compete. They did. They competed their butts off.”

It was all the Lancers who made it happen as well. Gusick produced a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds and Cioffi also scored 13 points. Jones produced 12 and created an exciting first quarter sequence with a block on one end followed by an emphatic dunk seconds later. Isaac Blackwell helped fuel the comeback, going for 10 points, six rebounds and four assists.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Williamsport's Kason Ulmer(43) grabs a rebound during a high school boys basketball game at Williamsport on Saturday.

Blackwell ignited Loyalsock in the first quarter following a slow start and scored five quick points in the fourth when the Lancers made their big move. The Lancers will be the No. 6 seed in the District 4 Class AAA playoffs and head to either Towanda or Southern Columbia.

Doing so after competing in a playoff-like atmosphere against a good 6A team could provide a nice boost as that next challenge beckons.

“When we were struggling we got a little disconnected. They were connected tonight. They were talking to each other. They were communicating and we’re at our best when we are connected as one,” Cioffi said. “The guys on the court have to play for each other and that was the type of basketball we played tonight.”

Williams kept Loyalsock at arm’s distance during the third quarter when he scored eight of 19 points, while adding three steals and three blocks. Lowe set the tone early, having a hand in seven of the first nine points and Kason Ulmer delivered four points with four rebounds early on.

Overton, a tenacious freshman guard continues flourishing and provided a big spark off the bench with his 10 points. He was in the middle of Williamsport’s 8-1 half-ending run and also scored four points in the fourth. Sophomore guard Josh Sweeting provided a good lift as well with his tough defense and a second-quarter 3-pointer that put Williamsport ahead 10.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Williamsport's Tevin Williams (11) looks for a shot around Loyalsock's Isaac Blackwell (3) and Saoj Jones (0) during a high school boys basketball game at Williamsport on Saturday.

A Chilson rebound and quick outlet to Overton helped start the flurry which turned a tie into a 12-point halftime lead. He fought for that board, just like he fought his way back from injury. Now, Chilson keeps turning his second chance into memorable experiences.

“I feel like Coach T really gave me a second chance. He never gave up on me,” Chilson said. “I definitely knew I was going to try my hardest to come back and play again but I wasn’t sure how good I would be if I did. It’s definitely exciting. I feel like our team is going to hit our stride right here.”

LOYALSOCK (55)

Braydon Cioffi 4 1-2 13, Brecken Gusick 5 1-2 13, Jalil Coates 2 1-2 5, Saoj Jones 4 3-3 12, Isaac Blackwell 4 0-2 10, Ronnie Emery 0 0-0 0, Ethan Boyer 1 0-0 2. Totals 20 6-11 55.

WILLIAMSPORT (63)

Tevin Williams 6 7-8 19, Kason Ulmer 2 0-0 4, Mekhi Gaston 1 1-2 3, Naazir Lowe 5 2-3 13, Ethan Chilson 2 3-4 8, Quincy Williams 0 3-4 3, Saleem Overton 5 0-0 10, Josh Sweeting 1 0-0 3. Totals 22 16-21 63.

Loyalsock 15 10 14 16–55

Williamsport 17 20 12 14–63

3-pointers: Loyalsock 9 (Cioffi 4, Gusick 2, Blackwell 2, Jones); Williamsport 3 (Lowe, Chilson, Sweeting).

Records: Williamsport 11-9. Loyalsock 13-9.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Williamsport's Quincey Williams (4) lines up a shot around Loyalsock's Saoj Jones (0) during a high school boys basketball game at Williamsport on Saturday.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Loyalsock's Becken Gusick (10) brings the ball past Williamsport's Naazir Lowe (2) during a high school boys basketball game at Williamsport on Saturday.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Loyalsock's Jalil Coates (5) moves in to shoot around Williamsport's Quincy Williams (4) and Tevin Williams (11) during a high school boys basketball game at Williamsport on Saturday.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Loyalsock head coach Ryan Cioffi reacts as his team closes the gap during the fourth quarter of a high school boys basketball game at Williamsport on Saturday.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Williamsport's Mekhi Gaston(22) bats a rebound away from Loyalsock's Isaac Blackwell (3) during a high school boys basketball game at Williamsport on Saturday.