The Hughesville coach then walked the young children toward the locker room where they joyfully greeted the Spartan varsity basketball players. The score Monday hardly mattered for them. Those Spartans are Scarlett and Lennox’s heroes.

But whether one was young, middle-aged or a senior citizen was insignificant. Because those Hughesville players became heroes to all throughout the community this season, captivating them throughout a historic run.

That journey ended Monday night at Hazleton High School, but the impact these Spartans made will last much longer. That is their biggest legacy.

Hughesville again played relentless defense and flew around the court, but shots simply would not fall, and a 14.5 % shooting performance was too much to overcome as Holy Redeemer defeated it, 39-27 in the Class AAA state semifinals. The Spartans (27-4) will not taste Hershey’s chocolate this season in the state championship, but reached the Final 4 for the first time, set a program record for wins and captured a second district championship.

Allyssa King of Hughesville looks for a shot under heavy pressure from Holy Redeemer at Hazelton High School. Redeemer won and moves on to the state final game with a 39-27 win. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

No wonder they received such a huge ovation from all the Hughesville fans who jammed the Hazleton bleachers following the game

“We talked about that as a team, that whenever this season is done and we become older and reflect we can go, ‘Wow, we were the best team to ever walk on the Hughesville court,'” Maddie Smith said after scoring eight points and grabbing a game-high 14 rebounds. “That’s pride in our coaches, pride in our fan base and our team and how much hard work we put in. I can’t thank this team anymore for how hard everyone worked.”

That effort carried Hughesville to league and district titles, as well as three state tournament wins. It was there again Monday, and despite the shooting woes, the Spartans were tied at halftime and down one entering the fourth quarter. But they missed their final 16 shots from the field following a Kendall Hamm go-ahead 3-pointer in the third quarter and Redeemer, which plays Greensburg Central Catholic Thursday at the Giant Center, went on a 16-3 run while building a late 14-point lead.

The ending hurt a fiercely competitive team, but time heals so many wounds and should again. The Spartans became the program’s first to win league and district titles in the same year, won six straight postseason games, five against state tournament teams, and built on the winning culture established the past two seasons.

This team did not need another banner to validate itself as champions. Wherever they go, whatever they do, these Spartans will be forever linked as just that.

Vivian Draper and Casey Schultz of Hughesville fight for a ball with McKenzie Chimock of Holy Redeemer at Hazelton High School. Redeemer won and moves on to the state final game with a 39-27 win. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

“It’s nice winning and making it to the Final 4, but the best part of playing basketball is your teammates. Whether or not we lost in the first round or made it all the way to the state championship, nothing would change that,” Vivian Draper said after shining in her final game and going for 10 points and 10 rebounds. “Nothing would change my team and the friendships I’ve made along the way with basketball. Some of my best friends are on this team and I wouldn’t have even gotten to know them if it wasn’t for basketball.”

Hughesville played the best basketball the girls’ program has ever seen this season. This actually was the first time it lost to a team in its same classification, the other three coming against 4A squads. In defeat, the Spartans competed with their usual fervor.

They may be upset that shots, many quality looks, would not go in but the Spartans can leave with no regrets. All gave everything of themselves during the offseason, throughout this campaign and one last time Monday.

“I understand they’re upset; we’re upset, but it’s still a pretty remarkable year,” King said. “Someday we’re all going to look back and be super thankful for what we did do it’s going to take some time to sink in no matter what, but I’m pretty sure sometime soon everyone will look back and go, ‘Hey, we did really good.'”

“They’re a special group of kids.”

Kylie Temple of Hughesville puts up a shot against Holy Redeemer at Hazelton High School. Redeemer won and moves on to the state final game with a 39-27 win. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

That showed again because most teams would never have had a chance while making just 8 of 41 shots through three quarters. And yet, the Spartans were down just 23-22 entering the fourth quarter. They opened the game going 1 for 15 in the first quarter but erased a seven-point deficit and tied it, 13-13 at halftime.

Throughout the season, Hughesville displayed its resiliency and rallied for big wins, including against Loyalsock in the district championship and last Friday against Dunmore. It felt like that big run the team became so known for was just around the corner.

But it never came. The Spartans went 0 for 14 in the fourth quarter and missed six layups and/or chippies during that time. The execution which produced those shots was good and many shots looked like they were going in, only to tease Hughesville and rim out.

“We knew eventually something’s going to fall for us, but it just never happened,” Smith said after concluding a historic season which makes her a strong first team 3A all-state candidate. “We worked so hard for this. It’s sad, but we’re the best Hughesville team that’s ever taken the court. That’s a good thing, but it’s hard knowing you lost because the ball would just not go in.”

Hughesville was down 9-2 early and missed its first 14 shots. Still, Draper willed the team back into the game in the second quarter, scoring six straight points and putting it up, 10-9. All three times, Hughesville took the lead, however, Redeemer (22-8) quickly regained it.

Kylie Temple of Hughesville puts up a shot against Holy Redeemer at Hazelton High School. Redeemer won and moves on to the state final game with a 39-27 win. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Smith went coast-to-coast with 37 seconds remaining in the half, her layup tying the game at halftime. She then scored inside to put Hughesville ahead early in the third before two Anna Easton offensive rebounds led to her scoring inside and giving the Spartans a 19-16 advantage with 5:28 remaining in the third quarter.

Just when it felt like Hughesville was about to mount its big charge, fate again intervened and it did not score again until Hamm drained a 3-pointer which briefly put it up, 22-21 more than five minutes later. Despite frequently close attempts from there, the Spartans did not make another field goal and as Redeemer heated up, it fell into a precarious situation. The harder Hughesville played, the more the shots going through the net failed to cooperate.

“The way we struggled, to even be in that game was pretty phenomenal. I’m super proud of the girls,” King said. “We just kept waiting for the ball to go through and it never happened. It’s a different game if a few of those shots go in, but it just wasn’t our night.”

Hughesville missed four consecutive chippies early in the fourth quarter. If one goes in it, takes the lead, but it seemingly felt like there was a ghost sitting on the basket forcing the ball out of the hoop. Draper hit a free throw which cut it to 25-23 with 6:22 remaining but Redeemer countered with a 10-0 run, going up 12 with just 85 seconds remaining. Kylie Temple capped her fantastic senior season with two free throws to stop the run, but Redeemer scored the next four points and started celebrating its first state final appearance.

“Everyone gave their all, but that happens sometimes,” Draper said. “That’s how games go. Shots don’t fall sometimes.”

Allyssa King of Hughesville drives to the basket against Holy Redeemer at Hazelton High School. Redeemer won and moves on to the state final game with a 39-27 win. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Draper and fellow seniors, Temple, Allyssa King and Georgia Randall will graduate as the most successful senior class in program history. Before 2024, Hughesville had never won a district championship, nor a state tournament game. Those four all played critical roles in transforming the program, helping it win 85 games, two district championships, a league crown and six state playoff contests.

Equally important, they set the tone through the way they played the game.

“There are a lot of good things here and a lot of it has been laid from the seniors this year and the seniors last year and the year before,” Dustin King said. “They all started it all the way though. They’re prime examples of hard work and being great role models.”

Just ask the Hughesville fans.

They feel the same way about all the Spartans. Hughesville took them on a long playoff road, and fans passionately followed them everywhere, no destination too far.

The season is over. The memories? Those will last forever.

“To look on both sides and see the student section bringing the atmosphere was amazing,” Smith said. “In softball, you’re never going to get that even at the college level, so it’s just amazing. I still have one more year, but I can’t thank Hughesville and the people I’ve been surrounded by enough.”

HUGHESVILLE (27)

Kylie Temple 0 2-2 2, Maddie Smith 2 4-4 8, Allyssa King 0 0-2 0, Anna Easton 1 0-0 2, Vivian Draper 4 2-4 10, Casey Schultz 0 0-0 0, Kendall Hamm 1 0-0 3, Regan Sellers 0 2-2 2, Tori Morgan 0 0-0 0. Totals 8 10-14 27.

REDEEMER (39)

Bella Boylan 3 2-6 8, McKenzie Chimock 3 7-9 14, Gillian Parsons 3 3-4 9, Tessa Cegelka 0 2-2 2, Kira Millard 2 2-3 6. Totals 11 16-24 39.

Hughesville 4 9 9 5–27

Redeemer 9 4 10 16–39

3-pointers: Hughesville 1 (Hamm); Redeemer 1 (Chimock).

Records: Redeemer 22-8. Hughesville 27-4.

Maddie Smith of Hughesville splits the defenders of Holy Redeemer at Hazelton High School. Redeemer won and moves on to the state final game with a 39-27 win. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Anna Easton of Hughesville reaches for a rebound against Holy Redeemer at Hazelton High School. Redeemer won and moves on to the state final game with a 39-27 win. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Casey Schultz of Hughesville tries to stop the pass by McKenzie Chimock of Holy Redeemer at Hazelton High School. Redeemer won and moves on to the state final game with a 39-27 win. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Hughesville fans cheer for their team as they score against Holy Redeemer at Hazelton High School. Redeemer won and moves on to the state final game with a 39-27 win. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Vivian Draper and Anna Easton of Hughesville fight for a rebound with Gillian Parsons of Holy Redeemer at Hazelton High School. Redeemer won and moves on to the state final game with a 39-27 win. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Vivian Draper of Hughesville fights for a rebound with Gillian Parsons of Holy Redeemer at Hazelton High School. Redeemer won and moves on to the state final game with a 39-27 win. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette