BRODHEADSVILLE–If Carter McCormick could fully embrace his teammates, he certainly would following a moment like Warrior Run experienced Wednesday against Philadelphia’s Audenried.

But McCormick possesses just one good hand these days, breaking the other last month. And yet he plays on. If one wants to understand how Warrior Run has reached new heights this century, right there is a good start.

Simply put, the Defenders never run from a battle. Audenried certainly provided one at Pleasant Valley High School in the Class AAA state tournament’s second round, but the Defenders absorbed the blows, hit back and landed the knockout blow.

Now, they stand tall among the state’s top eight 3A teams.

Aiden McKee scored six of his 25 points in overtime, James Keifer hit a go-ahead 3-pointer and Landon Polcyn sealed victory with two clutch last-second free throws as Warrior Run edged Audenried, 64-59. Now, the Defenders (26-3) are partying like it’s 1999 because they are Elite 8-bound for the first time since that season and will play Notre Dame-Green Pond Saturday.

“It’s so relieving because we’ve worked so hard for four years, grinding and getting better and better every season,” McKee said after going for 25 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and four blocks. “We’ve been kind of building to this year and our final push. It’s such a relief when we grind out a good win like that and we get to see the results.”

Warrior Run has produced impressive results all season and its 26 wins are the most by a Defender team this century. A team featuring five senior starters has lifted Warrior Run from one win four years ago to its first district title in 38 years and two exciting state playoff victories against highly touted opponents.

Keifer scored 14 points, Polcyn 10 and Ethan Balzer grabbed a game-high 16 rebounds. Clayton Skokoski scored six points off the bench, Carter Sheesley hounded Audenried guards and McCormick played stellar defense down the stretch. Most important, Warrior Run never buckled when the pressure grew it most intense.

Of all the qualities Warrior Run possesses, including balance, height, speed and strong defense, this state quarterfinal foundation has been built upon heart. And that beat as strong as ever against Audenried as Warrior Run won its fourth straight overtime game this season.

“No one is afraid of the moment which is so big for our team. We’re all comfortable being in one-point games with a minute left or two-point games in overtime with three minutes left or down two points like today,” Keifer said. “For us to have no fear going into the situations is so huge as we go into the final stages of states.”

“They’re so resilient and they just stick together,” Warrior Run coach Eric Wertman said after receiving a hug from his young daughter Camden. “They care about each other. They want to play for each other; fight for each other. I’m just super proud of them.”

Camden Wertman may have been more excited than her father was afterward. Someday, her dad can tell her the story of, arguably, the best team in program history. And when he reads that book, this victory likely will be among the most exciting chapters.

Warrior Run trailed just once the first four quarters, 3-0, before taking a 22-18 halftime lead. The Defenders then scored seven points in less than two minutes, opening an 11-point advantage. Less than a minute later, it was a three-point game, and both squads went at it like Rocky and Clubber Lang from there.

Warrior Run consistently fought off Audenried surges, but the Rockets pulled even twice in the final 90 seconds. Balzer nearly hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer at the end of regulation, but Audenried took its first lead since being up 3-0 near the halfway mark of overtime.

And that lasted all of eight seconds.

Keifer, who dealt five assists, quickly sped upcourt, noticed the defense sag and let it fly. He hit nothing but net and the 3-pointer put Warrior Run up, 58-57. The Defenders never trailed again as Keifer made his eighth trey this tournament, his most memorable.

“I got the ball and was coming down the court and no one had me, so I stepped up and shot it,” Keifer said. “You just have to have confidence in that situation. Don’t be afraid of the moment or anything. It felt amazing coming out of my hands, too.”

Following two defensive stands, Warrior Run went up, 60-57 when McKee hit a short jumper. He had scored the first overtime points with a nifty move and left-handed shot off the glass over 6-foot-7 Nathan Lee, one of Philadelphia’s premier post players.

The all-state center has had many big games, but considering the opponent and the ramifications, this may have been his best. McKee added five assists and four blocks and scored 12 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter and overtime. He went 8 for 11 from the field and line during that time and his Onions free throws with 12.1 seconds left had Warrior Run, up 62-59 after two Asaam Mitchell foul shots had made it a one-point game.

“We’ve been playing together for so long. We all genuinely want to win,” McKee said. “That has such a big impact because games like this, where it’s close, we’re not just going to give up or get tired at the end. We’re going to push through and try to get the win however we can.”

That includes playing relentless defense. The Defenders did that following McKee’s free throws and prevented a clean look from 3-point range. Point guard Melvin Clarke dazzled, scoring 28 points and draining six treys despite good coverage, but Warrior Run stuck to him like glue and prevented him from getting his legs into his final shot as it bounced off the rim and Polcyn grabbed the rebound.

The team’s defensive catalyst, Polcyn also showcased his versatility, scoring 10 points, grabbing seven rebounds and dealing four assists. After nearly running into the wall following his rebound and being fouled, Polcyn shook off the pain and calmly drilled the game-sealing free throws with 2.6 seconds left.

As he did Warrior Run fans stood, roared and players basked in the glow of a win 27 years in the making. Keifer expressed his excitement about getting a second shot at the Sweet 16 following a first round win against Dunmore. When it came, Warrior Run pounced.

“We kept swinging. You hit us and we try and throw three or four back at you,” Wertman said. “It’s something we talk about on a regular basis. We talk about answering back all the time.”

Warrior Run did it quite well and kept fighting off Audenried after it had seemingly cut that 11-point deficit to three in the blink of an eye during the third quarter. The way that quarter ended seem appropriate as Skokoski hit a big 3-pointer with five seconds left, only for Clarke to sink a half-court buzzer beater and cut Warrior Run’s lead to, 37-34. The fourth quarter played out much the same way with a McKee putbank dunk and Balzer dish to McKee making it, 45-39. After the Rockets closed within one, Polcyn drained a 3-pointer. Audenried tied it, 51-51 but Keifer quickly answered and drained a mid-range jumper.

This was a heavyweight fight and that suited a group of fighters well. The fight continues Saturday against Notre Dame-Green Pond.

Wednesday night, however, was a celebratory moment. From the ashes of a 1-21 season in 2022, Warrior Run has risen to 26 wins, a district championship and the state quarterfinals. The thing is, while the Defenders may have surprised many, they have not surprised themselves.

“We expected to be here, and we want going to keep going. We don’t want to stop here,” Keifer said. “We’re going to keep practicing hard. That’s where it all this comes from is practices.

“It’s an awesome feeling.”

WARRIOR RUN (64)

Carter Sheesley 0 0-0 0, James Keifer 5 1-2 14, Clayton Skokoski 2 0-0 6, Aiden McKee 10 4-5 25, Landon Polcyn 3 3-3 10, Ethan Balzer 4 1-2 9, Carter McCormick 0 0-0 0, Cayden Robinson 0 0-0 0. Totals 24 9-12 64.

AUDENRIED (59)

Melvin Clarke 10 2-3 28, Nathan Lee 5 1-1 11, Asaam Mitchell 3 2-3 9, Safee Johnson 1 0-0 2, Quamir Johnson 1 1-1 3, Derrick Carr 2 1-2 6. Totals 22 7-10 59.

Warrior Run 14 8 15 16 11–64

Audenried 10 8 16 19 6–59

3-pointers: Warrior Run 7 (Keifer 3, Skokoski 2, McKee, Polcyn); Audenried 8 (Clarke 6, Mitchell, Carr).

Records: Warrior Run 26-3.