And vice-versa.

Like so many games the cousins played in the backyard over the years, Zalonis and Eyer were constantly on the same page Tuesday night against Cowanesque Valley. Being so provided just the spark Muncy needed as it cruised to a 58-21 District 4 Class AA quarterfinal victory.

Zalonis and Eyer each scored 18 points and combined for 10 steals as the two-time defending champions earned a coveted Mid-Penn Conference championship rematch against Northwest in Saturday’s semifinals at a place and time to be determined.

“We work on that a lot in practice, not always having to run a play, but learning how to read each other,” Zalonis said after dealing six assists and making six steals. “It’s kind of learning how to produce a play without running one.”

Roaslie Zalonis of Muncy puts up a shot against Cowanesque Valley at Muncy High School. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

The cousins produced a lot of plays Tuesday as did their teammates. Alexis McKeta provided a strong early lift and Emma McCormick and Rachel Paulhamus each scored eight points. Anna Zalonis helped fuel the defense and Muncy (20-4) reached 20 wins for a third straight year, building a 36-8 halftime lead.

Zalonis and Eyer generated 20 first quarter points and Muncy stormed out to a 22-4 advantage. They consistently found each other for quality looks and converted most. Their five assists that quarter all led to points for the other cousin and Muncy quickly squashed any hopes CV had of pulling a stunning upset.

“I think we jive really well,” Eyer said. “We were all able to kind of run around and make plays and it got everyone amped up.”

Muncy possessing that pep was a welcome sight for the coaches who watched most of the players suffer through illness last week. The fatigue factor while competing hard loomed large in the second half of all three games there, but a healing team looked like it was back into turbo-mode Tuesday.

That showed on both ends with Muncy forcing nine first quarter turnovers and imposing the mercy rule early in the third while winning a seventh consecutive district playoff game.

Emma McCormick of Muncy and Lilah LaBarron of Cowanesque Valley race after a loose ball at Muncy High School. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

“We had our spunk back tonight, we had our quickness back,” Muncy coach Craig Weaver Sr. said. “They competed their hearts out in those three games (last week). That’s tough to do when you’re not able to breathe properly, but they all played so hard.”

That continued Tuesday and Muncy quickly turned the page after losing three games last week, including in the last second of Saturday’s Mid-Penn final against Northwest. It was a near repeat of last season with Northwest winning the league title and Muncy shifting its focus toward the big picture and opening districts with a blowout win.

Time will tell how things play out, but Muncy turned frustration into a district title last year. Now, it gave itself a second chance against Northwest with its quarterfinal victory.

“We were like, ‘It doesn’t matter,'” Eyer said. “Last year we lost the conference and came back stronger than ever and that’s what we’re trying to do.”

“It is what it is and we moved on. That phase of our life is over,” Weaver said. “All that’s behind us and doesn’t mean a thing. It’s all about now.”

Emma McCormick of Muncy and Lilah LaBarron of Cowanesque Valley race after a loose ball at Muncy High School. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Still, combining the past with a drive for future success provides a quality formula. Because Muncy learned a lot while playing Northwest and 4A Lewisburg and Montoursville a week earlier. The results are insignificant now, but the way those games helped the team improve sure makes a difference.

“Our last three games really prepared us for district playoffs even though we didn’t come out on top in any three of them,” Zalonis said. “We needed to play through that, and those games showcased our mistakes and what we need to work on when we play against good teams. All of us did really well with that tonight.”

Zalonis made six straight shots between the first and second quarters, including two 3-pointers. Eyer gave CV fits with her strong post moves. McCormick then scored five straight quick points, hitting a 3-pointer before making a steal and converting a layup, as Muncy grabbed its biggest first half advantage, 36-6.

Brae Balada grabbed eight rebounds for CV, but the Indians were limited to four or fewer points in three of the four quarters. Even when CV heated up and scored 11 in the third quarter, Muncy still outscored it as all five starters produced points.

Muncy both moved and shot the ball well all night. Four different players produced multiple assists and Muncy’s 36 points were among their most scored in a half this season.

Ava Eyer of Muncy and Lilah LaBarron Cowanesque Valley reach for a loose ball at Muncy High School. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

“Our offense wasn’t our strong point earlier in the year, but we’ve worked really hard on it,” Eyer said. “It’s nice to see that come together.”

Paulhamus dominated the fourth quarter, scoring all eight of her points. Equally impressive, she made all four of her shots, adding two steals. McKeta started the game in similar strong fashion, collecting four rebounds and getting to the line four times early.

Put the whole package together and Muncy took the next step along its season-long journey. All the Indians longed for following last Saturday’s game was another opportunity and now they have earned it.

“We are very similar teams. (Last) Saturday showed that,” Zalonis said. “It’s going to be a good game either way, but we’re all really excited to come back Saturday and play them again.”

CV (21)

Alexis McKeta and Anna Zalonis of Muncy walk off the court smiling after their win against Cowanesque Valley at Muncy High School. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Starr Ordway 2 1-2 5, Jaylynn Anderson 1 0-0 3, Addy Lanzo 2 0-0 4, Taylor Eldridge 2 0-0 4, Lilah Lebarron 0 1-2 1, Des Stickler 1 0-0 3, Brae Balada 0 0-2 0, Natalie Grab 0 1-2 1. Totals 8 3-8 21.

MUNCY (58)

Ava Eyer 8 2-5 18, Rosie Zalonis 7 2-2 18, Anna Zalonis 1 0-0 2, Emma McCormick 3 0-0 8, Alexis McKeta 1 2-4 4, Abby Neidermyer 0 0-0 0, Rachel Paulhamus 4 0-0 8, Elizabeth Howard 0 0-0 0, Madi Moore 0 0-0 0, Riley McLaughlin 0 0-0 0. Totals 24 6-11 58.

CV 4 4 11 2–21

Muncy 22 14 14 8–58

3-pointers: CV 2 (Anderson, Stickler); Muncy 4 (R. Zalonis 2, McCormick 2).

Records: Muncy 20-4. CV 4-19.