Loyalsock used an explosive first half to defeat Line Mountain, 58-21, in the District 4 Class AAA girls basketball quarterfinals Friday night.

The Lancers established control immediately. Alaina Dadzie won the opening tip and scored on the game’s first possession with a 3-pointer, then added a layup moments later as Lancers established an early tone. Defensive pressure forced early turnovers and created transition opportunities, while the Lancers controlled the boards throughout the opening period.

Jaekairah Harden later added an open jumper and the Lancers carried a 19-5 lead after one quarter.

The Lancers widened the gap in the second quarter behind disciplined defense and efficient offense. Dadzie converted two free throws and later scored again, and a sharp pass from her set up Madison Perry for a layup. Line Mountain struggled to find clean shots against Loyalsock’s defense and was held to just three points in the quarter.

The Lancers entered halftime with a commanding 41-8 advantage.

Dadzie led Loyalsock with a 27-point performance while Harden scored 11 and Perry chipped in 10. No one for Line Mountain scored more than four as Loyalsock’s defense did well limiting scoring opportunities.

Line Mountain was held to single digits the first three quarters before scoring 11 in the fourth quarter with the game already well decided.

“We knew they were a very skilled team and we practiced the best we could.” Line Mountain assistant coach Dan Bowman said. “We handled the press very well in the beginning and then we went a little awry because they are such a good team.”

The Lancers continued to pull away in the third quarter. Perry scored on the opening possession and Madison Wertz added a layup as the Lancers extended the lead. Even after Dadzie briefly left with an injury midway through the period, the Lancers maintained their defensive intensity and rebounding control, extending the margin to 56-10 heading into the fourth.

Line Mountain added 15 fourth-quarter points as Loyalsock secured the 58-25 victory.

Loyalsock coach Curtis Jacobson, emphasized that the postseason focus extends beyond the scoreboard.

“It is very important that we continue to raise our personal standard,” Jacobson said. “You come to practice every day ready to be the best version of yourself.”

Jacobson also shared the team’s mantra of what if?

“As long as you are not holding back and you are not left with ‘what if,’ you should feel good, win or lose,” he said.

A fast start, steady defense and balanced scoring carried Loyalsock into the District 4 semifinals where the Lancers will face Troy, a 47-33 winner against Wyalusing.

Loyalsock 58, Line Mountain 25

LINE MOUNTAIN (25)

Ava Stiely 0 0-0 0, Canna Shytt 0 1-2 1, Laila Troutman 1 0-0 2, Bella Shingara 1 0-0 2, Megan Schwalm 0 4-6 4, Maliya Ebersole 1 0-0 2, Natalia Cortelyou 0 0-0 0, Khyler Lahr 1 0-0 2, Mady Grindstaff 1 0-0 2, Reagan Boyer 1 0-0 3, Kiera Leitzel 1 0-0 2, Kailey Buniak 0 1-4 1, Evelyn Schaffner 0 0-0 0, Cora Moyer 0 0-0 0, Peyton Hayes 0 0-0 0, Alyssa Straub 0 0-0 0. Totals 7 6-12 21.

LOYALSOCK (58)

Madison Perry 4 2-5 10, Molly Boyer 0 0-0 0, Iyana McCrae 0 0-0 0, Jillian Kennedy 0 0-0 0, Stella Smith 0 0-0 0, Julisa Martin 0 0-0 0, Addie Bastian 0 0-0 0, Samantha Howell 0 1-2 1, Jaekairah Harden 5 1-4 11, Addison Barowy 1 2-4 4, Alaina Dadzie 8 10-12 27, Madison Wertz 2 1-2 5, Madalyne McGarr 0 0-2 0, Zaryah Hawkins 0 0-0 0. Totals Loyalsock 20 17-31 58.

Line Mtn. 5 3 2 11 — 21

Loyalsock 19 22 15 2 — 58

3-point goals: LM 1 (Boyer 1), Loyalsock 1 (Dadzie 1).