The smiles on the faces of the Loyalsock Lady Lancers as they take a bite out of the gold medal says it all. What an unbelievable moment to be remembered, shared, and talked about by the Lady Lancer family, all the families that support each person within this photo, and the Lancer Nation forever. Thank you to Albright Studios for capturing the moment and allowing us to share it on our cover.
When Coach Curtis Jacobson’s squad defeated Imhotep Charter in the state semifinal, I had a feeling the script had already been written for the state championship game in Hershey. This was a déjà vu moment back to when the boys made their run for Coach Insinger a few seasons back. It just felt like the Lady Lancers were destined after slaying a giant before getting to the Giant Center. All the hard work the girls had put in was finally going to end by winning that last game of the season.
As I settled in my front row recliner to watch the title bout versus Shady Side Academy, I thought, I can see this game a lot better than the boys’ championship when I was up in the rafters watching with my good friend Paul Bo. And wow, PCN did a great job with their coverage of the PIAA 3A girls’ hoop championship like they always do. They have been phenomenal over the years, presenting our local teams in all sports.
What I got to watch that evening was even better than I expected. From a basketball standpoint, it was an old-school approach brought to life by a great coaching staff and executed by a group of teenage young ladies that would make John Wooden smile. I should probably say Pat Summitt, who was the first women’s coach inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
It was everything that I complain is missing from basketball presently and the way it is now played. If you need an example, just turn on any NBA game; there is very little done fundamentally correctly, and playing defense has become mostly optional.
The Sock championship effort was won with defense, passing before dribbling, and players making foul shots. The understanding of defense responsibilities by each young Lancer lady, and then the working hard on staying between your girl and the basket and boxing out, was outstanding, and the transition of defensive effort into points and scoring opportunities was excellent. Coach Jacobson and his staff pressuring Shady Side by changing defenses at key times was clutch.
The game was also won by the understanding and execution of offense, which is easy to say, but much of basketball has forgotten. They took care of the basketball and, most importantly, got the ball into the low post for easy shot opportunities.
In an interview after the game, Coach Jacobson said that Alaina Dadzie deserves to be 3A State player of the year. Her hard work and effort were obvious. She was dominant in the second half. As was her teammates’ ability to pass her the ball in the right position and let Alaina dazzle with quick hands, feet, and mind.
The Lancers team was unselfish with the ball, not caring who scored the points but focused on the game plan. This included the efforts of Player of the Game, Lacy Kriebel, who was sensational. She provided that 3-point shooting that most teams die by at the most opportunistic times. This through the team effort of running the offense and getting the ball while open. The old inside-out approach, as many call it. She came up pure gold in the most important game of her high school career.
There are so many stories and compliments I have for everyone smiling on the cover. I wish I had the space to cover it all, but I think the picture is worth a thousand words.
I want to finish my old-school thoughts with a compliment to the girls for adding the basketball flavor of today in the right manner. The girls played with a love and passion for the game and each other that is often talked about but was on display. Everything I have mentioned about requires hard work and effort, not for a season but since the time they were old enough to lace up their sneakers. The world we live in often promotes selfish attitudes; the older athletes become, the harder it becomes to keep team chemistry. These girls exemplified unselfishness while traveling this amazing journey together.
They did all this with style, flare, and enough celebrating but not too much. They always behaved like young ladies and gave great answers when interviewed, their appreciation of the moment shined brighter than the gold medals. This was Lycoming County’s first title in girls’ hoops, and it was awesome to see a neighborhood school finish at the top.
God Bless America.
