The Spartans know all that sprinting; all that effort exerted and all that commitment is for moments like Tuesday night at Berwick. And celebratory moments as fans rain down ovations certainly make it all worthwhile.

For the second time in three years, Hughesville has run to the Class AAA state quarterfinals.

Superb defense paved the way as the Spartans defeated Notre Dame-Green Pond, 42-30 in the tournament’s second round. Maddie Smith totaled 16 points and five steals, Vivian Draper (8 points, 10 rebounds) made a run at a double-double and Hughesville allowed just 15 points the first three quarters as it joined the 2024 team as the only ones to ever reach the quarterfinals.

Up next is a date there Friday at a time and place to be determined against District 2 champion Dunmore, a 58-20 winner against Executive Education.

Vivian Draper of Hughesville puts up a shot against Notre Dame-Green Pond at Berwick High School. Hughesville won 42-30. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

“We worked really hard for it, and I don’t think a lot of people understand that as much,” Draper said after again setting the game’s tone and scoring its first four points. “During the offseason and preseason and into the season, we’re in there running. The first two weeks are just sprinting up and down the court, focusing on defense. It’s very hard to be on our team and it shows.”

Hughesville (26-3) embracing the hard and players pushing each other every day has helped it tie the program record for wins. Tuesday, the Spartans struggled offensively at times and lost 24 turnovers in the first three quarters but relied on a blend of relentless defense and old-fashioned guts to persevere and win a fifth state playoff game in three years.

Despite the offensive issues, Hughesville led 19-11 at halftime and stretched it to 28-15 entering the fourth. A Kylie Temple dish to Anna Easton followed by a Casey Schultz free throw had the Spartans up 18 less than two minutes into the fourth quarter. It also had the black and green-clad fans who again filled up the bleachers bouncing with joy.

“We’ve put so much work into this. We pick each other up when needed; we push each other in practice, so I think all the hard work is paying off,” Smith said after filling up the stat sheet with eight rebounds and four assists. “We just go out there and play Spartan Basketball.”

At the heart of Spartan Basketball is swarming defense and Hughesville continued playing it, allowing just five field goals through three quarters and 10 total all night. Hughesville led 12-6 after a quarter and, despite some offensive issues, never led by fewer than six again.

Vivian Draper of Hughesville drives to the hoop against Notre Dame-Green Pond at Berwick High School. Hughesville won 42-30. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Yes, Hughesville knows it has to play better and clean up some things entering the quarterfinals. But the Spartans also are eager to put in the work to do so, while showing they have the resilience to win a big game when not operating at peak capacity.

Doing so is the goal moving forward but wins at this point of the year do not come with style points. It’s all about surviving and advancing and Hughesville achieved that goal Tuesday.

“These games, it doesn’t matter what it looks like, as long as you have more points than they do,” Hughesville coach Dustin King said. “I think this is good for the girls. It kind of gives them a chance to reset and learn from it.”

As far as defense, Hughesville conducted a class against Notre Dame-Green Pond. The Crusaders never could get going or take advantage of some opportunities through three quarters. It was not about a lack of effort, just simply Hughesville closing off so many clean looks.

Draper and Anna Easton (5 points, 6 rebounds) scored eight first quarter points and Hughesville took a lead it never relinquished. The offense finally settled in early in the fourth quarter and, joining with the defense, Hughesville landed the knockout blows.

Vivian Draper of Hughesville drives to the hoop against Notre Dame-Green Pond at Berwick High School. Hughesville won 42-30. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Smith helped provide a spark entering the final quarter, making a last-seconds steal and layup. She did so again 39 seconds into the fourth as Hughesville went up, 32-15.

“Our coaches tell us all the time, defense travels. We showed up defensively,” Smith said. “Our offense was a little sluggish, but we came out and competed and did great and now we’re on to the Elite 8.”

Notre Dame-Green Pond captured two District 11 titles the previous two seasons and was making its second straight second round appearance. The Crusaders did their best to turn up the heat on Hughesville, but the Spartans fought on against a physical opponent and stayed cool under fire.

What they lacked in shooting percentage they made up for in energy which translated to defense and the boards. Draper, Smith and Easton all had six or more rebounds and Allyssa King four. Temple scored six fourth quarter points and Kendall Hamm made three steals off the bench with Schultz adding five points.

“We can always rely on our team. That’s what we did tonight,” Draper said. “Maybe an individual person isn’t hitting a lot, but we can always rely that the points can be spread around by everyone and that everyone is going to be working hard.”

Maddie Smith of Hughesville steals the ball and pushed up the court against Notre Dame-Green Pond at Berwick High School. Hughesville won 42-30. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

In addition to the defensive success, the post players cleaning the glass loomed large. Notre Dame is a fast team and Hughesville emphasized getting back quick on defense. Multiple Spartan defenders often were able to do so, while Draper, Easton and Schultz hit the boards hard.

In a game which tested the team’s will, Hughesville held firm and kept Notre Dame from mounting a serious comeback threat.

“They (the post players) did a great job keeping their composure because they were getting banged around down there,” Smith said. “It shows us that all the hard work we put in for these physical games is paying off. We can push each other to our best during a game and pick each other up.”

Different players did so at vital times. Draper, Easton and Schultz scored 10 of the team’s 12 points in the fourth quarter and Smith and Temple each produced six in the fourth. Seven players scored and all eight in the main rotation, including Tori Morgan, grabbed rebounds.

It was not pretty at times, but anything worthwhile often comes with some bumps and bruises. Hughesville hardened itself for March by spending so much time working from April-November. The road is long and winding, but Hughesville continues traveling it together.

Anna Easton of Hughesville is fouled by Riley Boyle of Notre Dame-Green Pond at Berwick High School. Hughesville won 42-30. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Ultimately, that is how it won Tuesday’s game.

“It’s great to have a team together, going this far. It just makes the connection so much better,” Draper said. “It’s all about the grind.”

NOTRE DAME (30)

Ava Shonk 2 2-2 8, Brenna Hammerstone 2 0-0 6, Riley Boyle 0 0-0 0, Ella Schweitzer 1 2-4 4, Ava Hobbie 2 1-4 5, Brianna Beani 2 0-0 4, Adrianna Scheitzer 1 0-0 3. Totals 10 5-10 30.

HUGHESVILLE (42)

Maddie Smith 4 8-10 16, Vivian Draper 3 2-2 8, Allyssa King 0 0-0 0, Anna Easton 2 1-2 5, Kylie Temple 2 2-4 6, Kenall Hamm 0 1-2 1, Casey Schultz 2 1-2 5, Tori Morgan 0 0-0 0, Aubrey Arrigonie 0 1-2 1. Totals 13 16-24 42.

Notre Dame 6 5 4 15–30

Hughesville 12 7 9 14–42

3-pointers: Notre Dame 5 (Shonk 2, Hammerstone 2, A. Schweitzer).

Records: Hughesville 26-3. Notre Dame Green-Pond 23-7.

Kendall Hamm of Hughesville drives to the basket against Notre Dame-Green Pond at Berwick High School. Hughesville won 42-30. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Maddie Smith of Hughesville puts up a shot against Notre Dame-Green Pond at Berwick High School. Hughesville won 42-30. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Maddie Smith of Hughesville steals the ball and pushed up the court against Notre Dame-Green Pond at Berwick High School. Hughesville won 42-30. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Kylie Temple of Hughesville is knocked to the ground as she’s fouled by Ava Shonk of Notre Dame-Green Pond at Berwick High School. Hughesville won 42-30. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Maddie Smith of Hughesville dives to the ground to go after a loose ball against Notre Dame-Green Pond at Berwick High School. Hughesville won 42-30. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette