Embracing those two little words has proved so crucial this season. And maybe never more so than Tuesday night against Notre Dame-Green Pond.

“Defense travels.”

Hughesville understand that has it traveling on to Friday’s Class AAA state quarterfinals against Dunmore.

The Spartans played fabulous defense all night, making life miserable for Notre Dame as they won the second-round state tournament game, 42-30. Hughesville (26-3) struggled offensively for long stretches, but its stout defense kept it going strong and it led from start to finish while reaching the state’s Elite 8 for the second time in program history.

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

“Defensive-wise, the way the girls are playing they gave everything they had,” Hughesville coach Dustin King said. “They went really hard.”

Hughesville has done so defensively throughout the season and that has played a vital role in it capturing a district championship, tying the program record for wins and reaching the quarterfinals. This was the fifth straight time Hughesville held a playoff opponent, including four state qualifiers, to fewer than 40 points.

No matter what sport; no matter how potent a team is, offense can come and go sometimes. Defense can be a constant, something King and his assistants have drilled into the players all season. Tuesday night was a prime example.

Instead of buckling, Hughesville went to an even higher level defensively. The Spartan defense provided the motor which powered the team and Hughesville kept holding Notre Dame at bay after building a 12-6 first quarter lead.

“Our defense is so consistent. It’s because we work hard in practice,” forward Vivian Draper said after producing eight points, 10 rebounds and two steals. “Every day we’re doing things to help us there. We really work hard for it.”

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

That has been obvious throughout the season, and especially against Notre Dame. The Spartans allowed just 10 field goals, including five through the first three quarters while building a 28-15 advantage. Hughesville also forced 11 second half turnovers and defense compensated an offense which was not operating at peak capacity.

The Spartans hounded ball-handlers, closed off passing lanes and, most importantly, denied clean looks. Put it together and Hughesville did not allow more than two field goals in any of the first three quarters.

“There were times when we got a turnover and needed the points,” King said. “Tonight was a good example of sometimes when your offense isn’t working, you to do the work on defense and tonight it did most of the work.”

“They always tell us if nothing is going your way offensively, just pick it up on defense,” Maddie Smith said following a 16-point, five-steal performance. “Do whatever you can. If you pick it up on the defensive side, good things are going to happen.”

That is exactly what happened against Notre Dame.

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

Even when things were going wrong offensively, Hughesville hustled back defensively and made things right, preventing Notre Dame from cashing in. A well-conditioned team, moved fast, talked fast, helped and kept the Crusaders off-balance.

Notre Dame (23-7) scored 58 points in a first round win against West Catholic but was limited to 11 in the first half and 15 through three quarters Tuesday. A team which shoots the 3-pointer well had limited times to try and showcase that, making just two through three quarters.

When Notre Dame players did attempt 3-pointers, players often did so with Spartan arms outstretched and obstructing their view. The Crusaders did connect on three late, but Hughesville led, 35-17 by the time that flurry came.

“We talked a lot about how they have a few 3-point shooters,” Smith said. “We focused in practice on getting out there on the shooters and trying to cut that down. I think we did a good job of that.”

“Both days this week at practice we were trying to keep them off the line for 3s,” King said. “One of their guards (Brenna Hammerstone) made about 55-60 this season, so we knew we had to drive them off the 3-point line.”

Hughesville has been able to transform itself like a chameleon defensively. Notre Dame is a guard-oriented team, so the speed of guards like Smith, Kylie Temple, Allyssa King and Kendall Hamm provided a key asset. Conversely, Draper, Anna Easton and fellow post Casey Schultz excelled against 2025 Class AAA Player of the Year, Alaina Dadzie, limiting her to 20 combined points the last two times Hughesville played Loyalsock.

The speed/height combination is important, but more so is the way the team competes and communicates. Coaches have drilled the players well and they are able to turn words into actions. Players move as fast as they talk. Combine that with a Zen-like focus on stopping the opponent and all play a role in Hughesville limiting opponents to 33.7 points per game.

“We practice it a lot,” Smith said. “We knew they were going to be a physical team, and I think we did a great job defensively.”

Defense traveled again. It carried Hughesville forward, helping it become one of the state’s top eight Class AAA teams.

Now the goal is to fuse defense and offense together. Because the ultimate goal is to keep traveling onward.

“It’s one game at a time,” King said. “It’s one possession at a time.”