A big season for Loyalsock kicked off with its annual “Meet the Lancers” night as the team hosted Sayre for a preseason scrimmage.

The Lancers displayed their quickness throughout the five-quarter game, winning each quarter and pulling away through the final two for double-digit wins.

The game was characteristic of a Loyalsock win. The Lancers flew around the court, forced turnovers throughout the game, and won the battle in the paint with size and timely passes.

The team already looked in midseason form in just the second scrimmage of camp. The timing of the scrimmage mattered little as the Lancers looked crisp, finding open shooters and anticipating passes for steals with ease.

“The camp has been highly successful,” Loyalsock coach Ron “CI” Insinger said. “The work ethic has been second to none. We’ve had some of our best practices ever. They are going to make positive strides down the stretch when we need it.”

Insinger has built his programs around family, and this year will be no different. He has preached this aspect of the game to his players throughout the preseason. For returning players, the message is clear, and for the new faces — they will quickly adapt.

One of the biggest challenges for the Lancers was one stemming from another team’s success. Since the football team won the District Championship over Danville, the team had to start camp a bit shorthanded.

“The biggest challenge was we didn’t have the football players for a week and a half, and they are an important part of the team,” Insinger said. “Three possibly four of them will be starters and opening without them was a huge obstacle. Since they’ve come on board, they’ve bought into everything and really kicked it up a notch.”

It could be seen throughout the game against Sayre. The Lancers had little fall off when the varsity mainstays were pulled for the younger group attempting to make a name for itself.

Aiden Gair stepped up big with two outstanding quarters to open the game. His outside shooting was on full display, as he nailed down three 3-pointers throughout the course of the second quarter. He finished the two quarters with 22 points. His ability to stretch defense will help Loyalsock.

Another shooter who was on full display was Gerald Ross, who was one of those football players late to camp thanks to a highly successful season. To stop the inside game, Sayre dropped players into the paint, but an aware Lancer squad found Ross outside for (4) threes in the third quarter.

“There is still a void from last year, and that was not winning the District title,” Insinger said of his returning players. “They are hungry. They want to win the District and then make some noise in the State Tournament. They’re excited. It’s going to be an exciting year.”

Hunter Webb and Bam Brima will add another level to Loyalsock as both should have little to no problems dominating the glass with their size. Webb pulled down multiple rebounds and scored eight points.

Anthony Pastore also did an excellent job of leading the offense. He finished the game strong, scoring 17 points in the win.