In cases like that, it helps to have a seasoned veteran or two, leaders that have been there before and can steady the tide with their affirmations and play. That’s especially the case when one goes on to have a career night.

From Thursday’s opening tip to her fourth-quarter exit, Avery Depasqua was locked in on doing whatever was required to help Jersey Shore advance, notching a career-high 21 points while also contributing six rebounds and six steals. Her teammates followed suit, running Shamokin into the ground with their full-court press, as the Bulldogs won 55-34 to advance to their fourth consecutive District 4 Class AAAA semifinal.

“Knowing that it’s my last year, last home game and that we win or we go home, that’s kind of what fueled it,” said Depasqua when discussing her performance. “Nobody wants to lose, and nobody wants to be done playing. It definitely feels good to get a win in your last home game ever.”

“We’re not the most experienced team. Avery is in a position right now where they all lean on her and see everything that she does, whether it’s her voice or play as a leader,” said Shore head coach Mike Schall on Depasqua. “We need that, and Avery’s filled that role well for us.”

TIM WEIGHT/Special to the Sun-Gazette Jersey Shore's Avery Despasqua (10) and Marlee Lehman (11) defend against Shamokin's Gianna Venna (4) during the District 4 Class AAAA quarterfinals on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at Jersey Shore. The Bulldogs won 55-34.

Even when Shore stumbled a bit out of the gate offensively, it seemed like Despasqua’s play was foreshadowing what was to come. She secured her first steal a minute in and almost added another just before that. And whenever she got her first good look offensively, a corner three, she delivered, making the most of good ball movement and tying the outing at 5-5.

Two possessions later, back-to-back baskets from Depasqua extinguished Shamokin’s last lead at 8-7, with the senior following up her own putback by stealing the ensuing inbound pass and turning it into another layup. She’d go on to add a reverse layup just before the quarter ended, as Shore closed it out on a 9-0 run largely thanks to Depasqua’s ten first-quarter points.

From there, it was just a matter of continuing to build on its momentum, which is certainly aided by a well-run press. After steadily losing its momentum through the first, Shamokin (10-13) had a headache dealing with Shore’s press through the next two quarters, notching just four points through the second and 24 points combined through three.

When the Indians cut their deficit to 16-10 early in the second, the Bulldogs responded with an 11-2 run to close out the stanza, holding Shamokin scoreless for five minutes of game time in the process. And when they put together a rare five-point play at the start of the third to cut their deficit to 27-17, the Bulldogs wouldn’t let them turn it into a rally.

Back-to-back baskets from Gracelyn Frantz – a contested turn-around two and deep three – rendered Shamokin’s early third-quarter eruption moot. And when Shamokin briefly cut its deficit down to 11 closing in on the quarter’s midpoint, an 8-0 run from Jersey Shore drained any momentum it had left, as the Bulldogs entered the fourth with a 46-24 lead and never looked back on the way to the semifinals.

TIM WEIGHT/Special to the Sun-Gazette Jersey Shore's Avery Depasqua, right, battles for a loose ball during the District 4 Class AAAA quarterfinals against Shamokin on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at Jersey Shore. The Bulldogs won 55-34.

“We have our fun but when it’s time to lock in, we lock in,” said Depasqua when reflecting on the team’s focus throughout the night. “We lock in when we’re warming up, and that just shows that we’re serious. And when we’re playing, it helps us make big plays out there.”

“It definitely shows that we’ve all been working hard. We’ve been putting in the time in the gym every day, and it pays off when you’re winning games,” she added.

Alongside Depasqua, freshman Marlee Lehman made it two Bulldogs to finish in double figures on the night, contributing 12 points alongside five steals and three assists. Half her points came on two triples, one which gave Shore its first multi-score lead at 12-8 and helped propel its early run.

On the boards, Gracelyn Frantz and Sadie Schall left their mark, grabbing eight rebounds apiece with seven combined boards on offense. Frantz finished with eight points – five in the third – and was crucial in slowing Shamokin’s Maura Bellis down in the paint. Schall posted a pair of assists and steals. And Kylie Schall led the team in assists with four, with the team logging 11 as a whole alongside 17 steals.

“Gracelyn has a lot of basketball experience and a high basketball IQ, so we thought she could move pretty well defensively on (Bellis),” said Schall when discussing Frantz. “We thought she could fill that role defensively, and she did a great job.”

TIM WEIGHT/Special to the Sun-Gazette Jersey Shore's Marlee Lehman (11) drives to the basket during the District 4 Class AAAA quarterfinals against Shamokin on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at Jersey Shore. The Bulldogs won 55-34.

Considering the departures the Bulldogs had to overcome, with four new starters representing them this season, it was an exciting win for the program – their 14th of what was supposed to be a campaign of rebuilding.

With the win, Jersey Shore (14-9) heads to its fourth straight District 4 Class AAAA semifinal now looking to advance to its fourth consecutive final. There, it faces No. 2 seeded Mifflinburg on the road, with date and time to be determined.

“It’s been a great season, and I’m so happy I could be a part of a team like this,” said Depasqua. “It would be amazing to get to play at home again. But moving forward, it doesn’t matter what gym we’re in. We’re going to go in with a strong mind, play hard and try to win games. Whatever happens, happens.”

Jersey Shore 55, Shamokin 34

(DISTRICT 4 CLASS AAAA SEMIFINALS)

TIM WEIGHT/Special to the Sun-Gazette Jersey Shore's Kylie Schall (15) passes the ball during the District 4 Class AAAA quarterfinals against Shamokin on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at Jersey Shore. The Bulldogs won 55-34.

SHAMOKIN (34)

Gabby Venna 4 0-0 10; Sophia Montgomery 2 0-0 5; Maura Bellis 5 0-3 10; Peyton Rapp 4 1-1 9. Totals 15 1-4 34.

JERSEY SHORE (55)

Leena Loomis 2 0-0 4; Avery Depasqua 8 4-9 21; Marlee Lehman 3 4-6 12; Sadie Schall 2 2-4 6; Kylie Schall 1 1-2 4; Gracelyn Frantz 3 1-2 8. Totals 19 12-23 55.

Shamokin 8 4 12 10 – 34

TIM WEIGHT/Special to the Sun-Gazette Jersey Shore's Gracelyn Frantz (22) goes through her progressions during the District 4 Class AAAA quarterfinals against Shamokin on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at Jersey Shore. The Bulldogs won 55-34.

Jersey Shore 14 13 19 9 – 55

Three-pointers: Shamokin 3 (Venna 2, Montgomery); Jersey Shore 5 (Lehman 2, Depasqua, K. Schall, Frantz).

TIM WEIGHT/Special to the Sun-Gazette Jersey Shore's Avery Depasqua (10) drives to the basket during the District 4 Class AAAA quarterfinals against Shamokin on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at Jersey Shore. The Bulldogs won 55-34.

TIM WEIGHT/Special to the Sun-Gazette Jersey Shore's Sadie Schall (14) takes a deep shot Jersey Shore's Avery Despasqua (10) defends Shamokin's Gianna Venna (4) during the District 4 Class AAAA quarterfinals against Shamokin on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at Jersey Shore. The Bulldogs won 55-34.

TIM WEIGHT/Special to the Sun-Gazette Jersey Shore's Leena Loomis (4) fights for possession against Shamokin's Maura Bellis (24) Jersey Shore's Avery Despasqua (10) defends Shamokin's Gianna Venna (4) during the District 4 Class AAAA quarterfinals on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at Jersey Shore. The Bulldogs won 55-34.

TIM WEIGHT/Special to the Sun-Gazette Jersey Shore's Marlee Lehman (11) defends Shamokin's Gianna Venna (4) during the District 4 Class AAAA quarterfinals on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at Jersey Shore. The Bulldogs won 55-34.

TIM WEIGHT/Special to the Sun-Gazette Jersey Shore's Avery Despasqua (10) defends Shamokin's Gianna Venna (4) during the District 4 Class AAAA quarterfinals on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at Jersey Shore. The Bulldogs won 55-34.