And therein lies a key to the team’s success.

Hughesville players are not competing for themselves individually. They are playing for each other. It’s not about the name on the back of the jersey, but the front and a selfless approach has carried Hughesville back to the 3A state tournament’s second round.

There, the Spartans (25-2) play Notre Dame-Green Pond tonight at Berwick.

“When you see someone get a steal and go up for an and-one or something, it hypes you up and makes you want to do even better for your team,” guard Maddie Smith said following Friday’s 63-32 first round win against Columbia. “Not caring about who is scoring and just playing for your teammates next to you is the big picture.”

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Hughesville's Maddie Smith (10) moves the ball past a pair of Columbia defenders during the first round Class AAA Girls State Championship game on Friday at Williamsport. Hughesville won 63-32

That selfless approach has been a key part of the foundation Hughesville has built its winning culture upon. The Spartans are making their third straight second round appearance and have captured two district championships the past three years after having neither a state playoff win, nor district title before the run.

Most players began competing together when they first learned how to dribble. Sisterly bonds were formed and have strengthened over the years. Yes, every player wants to win for themselves because they all are competitors.

But they want victory just as much; maybe even more for their teammates.

“Honestly, it makes you go even farther with you handle things,” Smith said. “It’s a great thing to have.”

When players have achieved individual milestones the past few years, the teammates’ reactions speak volumes. They often appear happier; more excited than the one who just earned the mark.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Hughesville's Kylie Temple (3), Maddie Smith (10), and Allyssa King (32) celebrate the final seconds of the game in their win over Loyalsock for the district championship at Montoursville Saturday.

When Hughesville has won its playoff games, it’s a collective celebration, too. Winning is great, but sharing it with close friends is even better.

“I’ve been playing with the same people since third and fourth grade,” guard Kendall Hamm said after the district championship win against Loyalsock. “The whole group is amazing. It feels so great being out there with them.”

Adding to that atmosphere are fans who have helped fill the gyms wherever Hughesville has traveled this postseason. Their classmates have especially provided the Spartans a lift, creating a large and energetic student section.

They may be concentrating on the game and unable to hear them at times. But the Spartans certainly feel what those fans provide.

“I think they follow us very well, and we feed off their energy,” Smith said. “In front of a big crowd, we feed off that and I think that helps us out a lot.”

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Hughesville players celebrate their win over Columbia during the first round Class AAA Girls State Championship game on Friday at Williamsport. Hughesville won 63-32

Sure, fans like winners, but they also like the way this team plays.

A ‘We, not me’ approach first helped Hughesville navigate a tough road to the district championship before reaching states. Standing in the Spartans’ way there were three tough HAC-III rivals eager to embrace third opportunities. Hughesville had beaten Bloomsburg, state qualifier Mount Carmel and defending state champion Loyalsock twice each during the regular season.

When the challenges increase, though, the team often rallies tighter around each other. That helped Hughesville outscore Bloomsburg and Mount Carmel by 42 combined points before turning a six-point second quarter deficit into a 45-38 win against Loyalsock.

“We talked about Bloom being one of the best No. 8 seeds in the last few years and Mount Carmel is a young, tough, hard-nosed team and I don’t care what the situation is, if you play Loyalsock it’s going to be tough,” Hughesville coach Dustin King said. “It was a tough, hard road and you just go one possession at a time.”

Hughesville continued embracing that mindset against Columbia and will try doing so again tonight. Whether the last play was good or bad, the only one that matters is the next one.

Whenever going into battle, it’s sure nice having friends right beside them. And it’s a bonus knowing they all share the same goal.

The stats are not important. They are the means to an end. Hughesville does not care who has them individually. If it leads to victory, all are happy.

So, the work goes on tonight, but it goes on together. Whatever situation arises, players can look beside them; around them and know that their friends are all pulling the rope in the same direction.

“I can 100 percent trust that everyone on the court, anyone coming in; anyone on this team will go 100 % and give everything they have,” guard Kylie Temple said following the district final. “If what they’re giving isn’t 100 % the best or if they’re not scoring, then they’ll pick it up on defense. If their defense isn’t the greatest, they’ll find other ways to contribute.

“Everybody wants the same thing.”