MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Muncy's Kyran Lisembee (5) shoots over Northeast Bradford's Daniel Barrett (11) in the first quarter.

Before each season starts, Muncy coach Jason Gresh need not worry about convincing his players they can reach states.

They already believe they can. They know no other way.

Muncy will be making its fifth straight Class AA state playoff appearance Saturday when it plays at District 9 runner-up Clarion. The seniors have gone all four years experiencing states and the underclassmen have never missed them either.

What a run it has been for this small public school.

“It’s unbelievable to think that this is our fifth straight state playoff appearance. It really is,” Muncy coach Jason Gresh said. “It speaks volumes to the kids and the community.”

Muncy also has played in five consecutive district championships, winning in 2023 and 24 before being the runner-up the past two seasons. The Indians came as close as one can to winning another crown last week, dropping a 34-33 heartbreaker against Northeast Bradford.

Still, Muncy (18-8) has enhanced its program’s status again, overcoming multiple injuries to several key players along the way. The names have changed the past five years, but the results have not.

“It’s great,” guard Jaxton Frantz said after Muncy secured its berth with a 64-25 semifinal win against Line Mountain. “We had the precedent set before us with four in a row and we’ve just continued it on with five. There’s not much you can ask for other than that.”

Muncy now gets a second chance as well. Clarion ended its season a year ago, so the Indians have a shot at both revenge and joining the 2023 team as state tournament winners. It is a big challenge, but embracing the hard these past five years is what threads each team together.

Like every small school, Muncy features several multi-sport players. Still, they often find time to hone their skills in the offseason and Gresh has credited determined work there for the impressive results each winter.

Once the season starts, Muncy is ready because it already has put in so much effort. So, while injuries to three-year starter Nate Rogers, as well as valuable reserves Caleb Beaver and Jermain Morgan hurt, Muncy was able to overcome those losses and keep producing wins.

The Indians won seven of nine games entering the district final and bulldozed Cowanesque Valley and Line Mountain to reach states again. The final did not go as planned, but Muncy nearly pulled a stunner after trailing by four with eight seconds remaining and a potential game-winning shot was just off the mark.

In defeat, Muncy highlighted a big reason it has enjoyed such success the past five seasons. When times are tough, these players are able to keep moving forward.

“Our team has a good work ethic,” point guard Kyran Lisembee said. “Every day we work and go at it, and the results show.”

Indeed, Muncy has won at least 18 games every season during this run, going 107-36. In addition to compiling a sterling .748 winning percentage, the Indians also have reached 20 wins three times.

The run started with 1,000-point scorers Ross Eyer and Branson Eyer helping lead the way, Ross twice earning all-state honors. When those two graduated following the 2023 championship, the baton was passed to players like all-stater Noah Confer, Patrick Zalonis and Konnor Shearer and Muncy repeated.

Even after those three graduated, the winning ways continued with Stiles Eyer and Ken Hampe among the seniors who helped Muncy reach another district final. This year, it is Frantz and Nixon Lamper who have burst onto the scene, meshing with returning players as well as some talented sophomores.

Players change and situations change. Winning remains a constant.

“We go to states every year. That’s what they know. The expectation is we’re going to go to states,” Gresh said. “How we get there, whether it’s as the one, two or three-seed, it is their expectation. That speaks volumes about the program and how these guys have committed.”

And while Muncy believes it will reach states every year, it firmly understands that nothing is given. Everything is earned and whether on the court or through watching film, this team pays the price.

Still, something key which may go overlooked is how Muncy approaches the postseason. Yes, the Indians know about their opponents, but they often look inward. It’s about controlling what they can control, playing their game and adapting when necessary.

“We scout, but it’s more importantly working on the little things,” Frantz said. It’s running the offense, setting screens, getting rebounds and boxing out. It’s all the little things which make the big difference in playoffs.”

Muncy will try mastering the little things to produce a big result Saturday. Time will tell how it all plays out, but the Indians realize they have succeeded in strengthening an already strong foundation.

Many starters and/or contributors return next season. Nobody can predict the future, but on paper, it appears bright.

When Gresh took over full time following the 2009-10 season, Muncy had not reached states since 2004. Since 2018, it has captured three district championships and now heads to states for a fifth straight year. Gresh is both the boys’ basketball and girls’ soccer career wins leaders and coached in district finals in both sports this scholastic school year.

For now, Muncy is looking forward to Saturday. But someday, the Indians will look back and have to be impressed about what they have built.

That goes double when considering this: No other District 4 boys’ team has a longer current state tournament streak than Muncy.

“Where this program has come is crazy,” Gresh said. “It’s really something to think about when you really put that in perspective.”