SUNBURY–One cannot see it, but Lewisburg players certainly can feel it.

Wherever Rebira Jemana goes, voltage seemingly follows. He frequently fills up the stat sheet, but what the senior forward does best is provide constant energy. Jemana did so again Tuesday at the Shikellamy Field House, igniting a superb defensive performance which has Lewisburg both District 4 Class AAAA championship and state tournament-bound.

Jemana seemingly was everywhere defensively, while also scoring 13 points as Lewisburg defeated Mount Carmel, 58-42 in the district semifinals. Nazir Meredith scored 15 points and dominated the fourth quarter, while every Green Dragon started produced at least eight points as Lewisburg won its 15th straight game and reached its first district final since 2023. Cortland Michaels made a run at a triple-double as well, going for 11 points, nine rebounds and nine assists.

“I just try to be everywhere on the boards and on defense. I try and stop their best players and just try to bring energy wherever I go,” Jemana said. “I try and get everyone fired up and ready to play.”

He does it quite effectively.

Jemana, Meredith, Cooper Mowry (8 points, 5 rebounds) and Aiden Erby are part of a senior class which has helped transform Lewisburg. The Dragons went 6-16 during the regular season two years ago but have reached 20 wins for the first time in 10 years and will try and win gold for the first time since 2022.

“I can’t even believe it, honestly,” Jemana said. “I keep saying we’ve been preparing for this for so long, and I didn’t know if our dream was going to come true but hard work has paid off.”

Jemana does sensational work defensively. The HAC-II Defensive Player of the Year last season, he has been even better this year and did a tremendous job limiting explosive Jude Lazicki’s opportunities. Yes, Lazicki scored 19 points but seven came late after the outcome was all but decided and Jemana was a big reason he only attempted four shots during the middle quarters. The 6-foot-4 forward is long, athletic and smart. Put it together and he is the glue which holds a tenacious defense together.

“He’s the head of the spear. His athleticism and the things he can do sets the tone for us,” Lewisburg coach Leon Tucker said. “That’s why he’s at the top of our pressure. He dictates what the offense does and when he’s playing at his best, he’s a real difference-maker. He’s a reigning Defensive Player of the Year for a reason.”

Jemana scored eight first quarter points and was a big reason Lewisburg stormed out to a 24-9 lead entering the second. The offense cooled from there, but the defense never stopped making life difficult for Mount Carmel. The Tornadoes pulled as close as nine in the third quarter but was limited to 10 or fewer points in each of the first three quarters.

Offense can come and go but defense can be a constant. It sure was Tuesday and, ultimately, that is what paved the way to a championship opportunity.

“Not even this game, but the whole season, it’s been our defense,” Jemana said. “Our defense plays a massive part. Everyone focuses on defense and it’s something not a lot of teams expect when they take the court against us.”

“Rebira takes the nightly task of guarding the opponent’s best player once we get into halfcourt. He’s our defensive leader 100 % and our other guys feed off what he does defensively,” Tucker said. “He’s upped everyone else’s game as well.”

Lewisburg was playing for the first time in 12 games and that seemed to impact its shooting at times, but it again displayed its trademark balance. Michaels was to the offense what Jemana was to the defense and generated eight points, six rebounds and six assists in the game’s first 11 minutes. His free throw with 1 minute, 46 seconds remaining in the first half gave Lewisburg its biggest lead, 32-14, before Mount Carmel cut it to 14 at halftime.

LJ Tucker hit a key 3-pointer during the third quarter which helped stop a Mount Carmel run and his steal and layup put it ahead, 41-28 late in the third. Mowry then found Meredith and Lewisburg opened a 15-point advantage.

That was a harbinger as Meredith controlled the fourth quarter. The center made five of his six shots from the field and line, helping Lewisburg seal victory.

The Dragons allowed just four points during the fourth quarter’s first five minutes and opened a 54-37 lead on a pair of Michaels free throws. From there, they effectively ran clock and attacked the paint. That combination helped Lewisburg go 6 of 7 from the field during the fourth quarter.

“They were amazing. They were all over the place. They took away what they wanted to do,” Tucker said. “When they ran a set play, we almost knew what was coming. We thought if we stayed disciplined good things would happen.”

A lot of good things have happened, and a team which has pretty much worked since last season ended, celebrated afterward. Still, Lewisburg understands there is one hill yet to climb.

They’ve come a long way, but now the Dragons hope to go the distance.

“We were 6-16 two years ago, so to have some kids from that group go to a district championship is pretty special,” Tucker said. “We’re going to enjoy it for now, but we want to win it.”

MOUNT CARMEL (42)

Jude Lazicki 8 3-4 19, Jaylen Delaney 2 0-0 4, Michael Kaleta 0 0-0 0, Logan Pizzoli 3 3-4 10, Dany Snyder 3 0-0 9, Elijah Rempel 0 0-0 0. Totals 16 6-8 42.

LEWISBURG (58)

Cooper Mowry 3 1-2 8, LJ Tucker 4 0-0 9, Cortland Michaels 4 3-4 11, Nazir Meredith 7 1-1 15, Rebira Jemana 4 5-7 13, Jaylen Walker 0 0-0 0, Jack Siegel 1 0-0 2. Totals 23 10-14 58.

Mount Carmel 9 9 10 14–42

Lewisburg 24 8 13 13–58

3-pointers: Mount Carmel 4 (Snyder 3, Pizzoli); Lewisburg 2 (Mowry, Tucker).

Records: Lewisburg 20-4. Mount Carmel 16-8.