HAZLETON–As well as the offseason went, Lewisburg felt a bit off nearly halfway through the regular season.

The Green Dragons were 5-4 and had lost four of their last six games following a 52-44 defeat against Mifflinburg last Dec. 29. The potential was there but it felt like the season could go in either direction.

Turns out the Dragons were moving upward. And reaching new heights.

Lewisburg did not lose another game until Tuesday when defending 4A state champion Devon Prep defeated it, 75-53 in the state semifinals. It was the first time Lewisburg had lost in 2026, a stretch which covered 19 games. Along the way, the Dragons won league, conference and district championships before making the deepest state run in program history.

From four losses in six games to the state’s Final 4. What a turnaround.

“If you would have talked to me back in December and said you’re not going to lose another game, win the PHAC championship, a district championship and you’ll be playing in the Final 4 to go to a state championship, not in my wildest imagination did I think that we would be here,” Lewisburg coach Leon Tucker said.

But there the Dragons were. It was not a fluke either. It was not a team simply heating up at the perfect time and rattling off a string of upsets.

Lewisburg proved since the new year started that it belonged among the state’s elite. All that offseason work finally translated to the games on a regular basis as a team with three senior starters, a sophomore and freshman began perfectly meshing.

And for 19 straight games, Lewisburg was perfect. No Dragon team ever advanced past the state tournament’s second round. This team did so after knocking off District 1 champion Pope John II, 64-59. Unsatisfied, Lewisburg kept going and edged Bishop McDevitt, 60-58.

The Dragons expected a similar result against Devon Prep, but it did not happen. Still, the Dragons having that belief was a huge boost for the entire district. No District 4 Class AAAA team had reached the Final 4 since the PIAA went to six classes. No District 4 team, period, had done so since the 1999 Williamsport squad won the state title.

This team not only blazed a new trail but provided the blueprint on how to do so. The Dragons had the right blend of height, speed, shooters and quality coaching. But every bit as important, they had the confidence, work ethic and belief to turn dreams into reality.

“We are not the same team we were six months ago. We aren’t the same team we were last year. We set a new standard here and everybody in there understands what we’ve done,” Tucker said. “I think we go into the offseason understanding what we need to do again to continue to play again at this high level and potentially get back to maybe compete for a state championship.”

Doing so will be extremely hard but that is sports … that is life. And Lewisburg must replace a standout senior class which includes Aiden Eby, Rebira Jemana, Nazir Meredith and Cooper Mowry. But dynamic junior guard LJ Tucker and Cortland Michaels, one of the district’s point guards are back.

So, too, are valuable reserves Jaylen Walker and Jack Siegel. So, too, are many who shined at the JV level. And what ties everything together is these returning players understanding exactly what needs done to make championship pushes.

“This is a good confidence booster for us. We know what we’re capable of,” Michaels said after producing 10 points and four assists. “Even though we are losing our four seniors I think we can still go great things going ahead.”

That’s important. Look at so many schools which have created super winning cultures, lined with league, district and/or state championships. When great players leave there are often so many waiting in the wings. That is how excellent programs are established and that is it what it feels like Lewisburg is building.

This is a team which won eight games two years ago before making six and 10-win improvements the last two seasons. Each class is learning from the one before it and the 2026 team because the best teachers yet. It’s not just what Lewisburg achieved but how it did so.

Now the baton is being passed, and it seems the returning players are eager to take it and keep pushing the team forward.

“During the offseason I got a lot of chemistry with the younger guys. I’ve been playing with them a lot,” Michaels said. “I think we’re going to be a problem for a lot of years. I’m just looking forward to this. Although this was a great season, I am looking forward to the following seasons.”

Lewisburg approached this past season with confidence. Optimism swirled at last November’s Heartland Conference Media Day. It was not because of what the team looked like on paper, what it was returning or who was arriving. It was about all the work every player and coach displayed throughout the offseason.

Eventually, that grind reaped Lewisburg mega profits. It went undefeated in the HAC-II, avenged losses against Warrior Run and Southern Columbia at the HAC Tournament, edged Montoursville in a riveting district championship and powered its way to three straight state playoff wins. Along the way, all five starters averaged in double figures and opponents never could focus upon slowing a few players, thinking that would be enough to win the game.

Instead of breaking apart during the early-season funk, Lewisburg pulled together. It won its next game 66-47 at Mount Carmel and never looked back. Moments after Tuesday’s game concluded, however, that is exactly what Tucker wanted the returning players to do.

“I told the younger guys already, ‘Remember this moment, remember this game, remember how (Devon Prep) played and the level at which they played,” Tucker said. “Now, we have to take that and make sure that we take our game to that level if we want to get back here. Those guys are talented enough and they’re hard working enough that we can absolutely do that.”

Tucker then took one last look back at a remarkable season before looking toward the future. The hope now is that the best season in program history becomes a launching pad. As historic as it was, Lewisburg would love nothing more than to make a season like this one the program’s new normal.

“I’m going to miss the guys that are leaving. I’m also looking forward to what we can continue to build here,” he said. “We’ve set a standard here now and I want to see if we can stay where we’re at.

“We know what it feels like, so why would we settle for anything less than that? We want to get back here. Now it’s time to put the work in, and let’s see what we can do.”

–Masse may be reached at cmasse@sungazette.com. Follow him on Twitter @docmasse