At the perfect time, an outsider has helped lift Warrior Run higher.

Point guard James Keifer described the team as a family following last Saturday’s first round Class AAA state tournament win against Dunmore. It makes sense since most of have played together since third grade.

But Clayton Skokoski did not even know these players until last summer. The junior guard had just moved from Massachusetts. Quickly he learned and meshed and Skokoski has become the best version of himself while Warrior Run has become District 4’s best Class AAA team.

Skokoski continued his playoff surge Saturday, scoring a career-high 16 points as Warrior Run thumped Dunmore, 72-54. He was one of five Defenders who reached double figures, helping Warrior Run (25-2) reach Wednesday’s second round against Audenreid.

“I feel like this team has helped me become a better player in so many different ways, in every part of basketball and life,” Skokoski said. “They’ve made me a better person, so that helps a lot, too.”

It’s a reciprocal relationship as both have brought out the best in each other. Skokoski has become a weapon off the bench and scored 11 points, including two Onions 3-pointers late in a district championship overtime win against Southern Columbia.

Again, he heated up like a microwave against Dunmore, scoring 13 of his 16 points in the second half as Warrior Run landed the knockout blow and opened a 22-point lead. Skokoski made six of his eight shots, including five straight during the second half and drained four 3-pointers.

“He’s helped so much,” Keifer said. “Hitting open shots like that to take some pressure off everyone makes the game go and helps us to play defense even better.”

Skokoski arrived at Warrior Run with a strong basketball pedigree, playing JV for a program which entered this season having won three state championships the past four seasons. Still, he had to learn both his teammates and a new system.

It was a tall order, especially for a teenager joining this senior-laden team. Turns out, Skokoski fits like a glove. So, when starter Carter McCormick was injured and original sixth man Carter Sheesley became a starter, Skokoski was ready.

When his chance came, he pounced. Now, Skokoski is adding another weapon to an arsenal which includes four starters averaging in double figures.

“He was wonderful (Saturday). He’s been wonderful all year long,” Warrior Run coach Eric Wertman said. “I’m just happy for him. He brings a whole other element to our offense.”

That has shined through at the most critical time. Possessing a high basketball IQ, as well as speed and length, Skokoski helped rev up Warrior Run’s fourth quarter comeback against Southern, his 3-pointer, making it a two-point game late in regulation. He then drained a clutch trey midway through overtime which put Warrior Run up five and highlighted an 8-0 run which sent Warrior Run on its way to its first district championship since 1988.

Skokoski hit a key first quarter 3-pointer against Dunmore but was especially potent in the second half. He scored eight fourth quarter points and his two treys felt like daggers, the last one putting Warrior Run up, 64-42. Each basket elicited a collective roar from a Defender crowd which filled the gym and were moments like Skokoski had not experienced before.

“It’s so cool,” he said. “Hitting a 3 and hearing the entire crowd pop, it’s the best feeling in the world.”

McCormick’s injury could have dealt Warrior Run a blow as it built toward the postseason. Instead, Skokoski became the next man up. One never knows when his opportunity will come, but Skokoski kept working, ensuring he could embrace it when it arrived.

As a bonus, McCormick returned Saturday and was part of a stingy team defensive performance. What once looked like it might be a negative has turned into two positives.

“Unfortunately, Carter went out, but (Skokoski) got his chance to step up and he did that,” Keifer said. “Stepping up like that into a role where you haven’t played much the whole season and you have to come off the bench regularly and hit shots like that is great. Give him credit. I’m proud of him.”

Warrior Run came so close to ending its district title drought a year ago, losing a last-second heartbreaker against Troy. Who knows how things turn out if Skokoski does not move, but knowing what is known now, it’s possible the missing piece to that championship puzzle was around 375 miles away.

It took a lot of work and a lot of learning from all sides. But having Skokoski this season has helped Warrior Run ensure that all the pieces fit.

“We played all summer and he slowly learned some of the things that we do. It took him a little bit of the season to catch up to,” Wertman said. “He’s tough. He’s a good player. He’s so confident; so poised, too.

“He understands the game; understands the moment.”