Mar 11, 2025
MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Loyalsock’s Addie Bastian (15) shoots over Biglerville’s Ava Peterson (23) and Claire Roberts (25) in the first quarter.
A boxscore only reveals so much. It tells one how many points each player scored, but not how big their impact was.
So, those who did not watch last Friday’s Class AAA state tournament opener might underestimate how vital a role Addie Bastian and her fellow Loyalsock reserves played. Their teammates, coaches and fans, however, understand they played a major factor in helping Loyalsock defeat Biglerville, 53-20, while earning a spot in tonight’s second round at Pleasant Valley High School against West Catholic.
Bastian did not score but was instrumental in Loyalsock (26-2) building a 30-9 halftime advantage, excelling defensively and dishing three assists. It was the continued evolution of a player who opened the season primarily playing JV but who has now become one of the team’s best weapons off the bench.
“I think my confidence has started to come out, and I think I realized that I can make an impact on the team,” Bastian, a junior guard, said. “Getting out there and showing what I can do really helped me do that.”
“What a motor. That girl just has a constant motor,” Loyalsock coach Curtis Jacobson said. “She plays really hard. She might get down on herself because a play might not end the way she wants it to and she might miss a shot, but it doesn’t stop her from playing really hard and competing.”
MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Loyalsock’s Lacey Kriebel (11) Alaina Dadzie (30) and Julie Ellis (2) are all smiles after the team cruised past Biglerville in the first round of the PIAA Class AAA playoffs at Loyalsock Friday.
And that is exactly what Loyalsock wants from all its players. A blue-collar athlete, Bastian did not grow upset when playing time was limited earlier this season.
She just grew more determined. She just kept working.
That relentless work led to more opportunities and Bastian has cashed in, helping give Loyalsock a lift throughout the postseason.
Bastian made two of her three steals in the first half against Biglerville and also was poised offensively. She dealt three first half assists, helping Loyalsock end the half on a high when she spotted Alaina Dadzie for a last-second layup.
“Depth is huge in the playoffs,” guard Lacey Kriebel said. “We’re trying to build her confidence and I think she’s building her own confidence and I think she’s doing a great job with her defense and her hustle off the bench which is what we need.”
Bastian has grown battle-tested not just from increased playing time on game nights, but through tough practices. The junior guard often is matched up against Jaekairah Harden, one of the area’s premier defenders, at practice. It has been a case or iron sharpening iron with both players making the other better and Bastian hitting her stride at the perfect time.
“She does so many things that we wish everyone would do constantly. She doesn’t take a break. She plays hard and competes,” Jacobson said. “It’s confidence over the season and feeling like she belongs. It’s a whole year of development in JV and us taking that stuff seriously. I think people are seeing the difference that can make out on the court.”
That extends to fellow reserves like Madison Perry, Addi Barowy and Maddie Wertz as well. All three also played well against Biglerville and have made quality impacts throughout the season. Perry moved into the starting lineup when three-year starter Julie Ellis suffered a late-season injury and played well, making some critical plays in a comeback win at Jersey Shore.
She continued making a positive impact three days later in a HAC Tournament rematch, whether defending, facilitating or attacking. Different situations cause different players to be the next one up and the reserves often have answered the call.
“When someone graduates, when someone gets hurt, we need them ready to go. There have been a lot of games where we haven’t had the same starting lineup,” Jacobson said. “A lot of people got hurt, but we didn’t really miss a beat. It’s a credit to the girls and also the staff every day getting on those girls and pushing them.”
Barowy has been one of the team’s top options off the bench and does a lot of little things which help Loyalsock win big games and scored three points against Biglerville. Wertz has given Loyalsock another forward it can use and blocked two shots against Biglerville.
“We know our roles. We know what can do and we know what we need to do,” Bastian said. “Going out there and doing what we can do and not trying to be someone we’re not is something we all pride ourselves on. It feels good to get out there and do that.”
It makes a big difference, too.
The stats might not jump off the page but what the reserves do is essential. It was a similar story last year when players like Anna Luxenberger, Maddie Luxenberger and Bella Mileto excelled when called upon, consistently providing quality minutes. It’s not about the numbers, but is about making the most of the time they are in and doing whatever possible to help the team.
Building that depth has been a year-long process and one that all the players and coaches have attacked. People sometimes ask Jacobson why he has four assistant coaches and it’s for reasons like this. Each coach plays a different role.
It works out well, too, because so many players have different roles. It’s coaches and players accepting them well which has helped Loyalsock become a deeper team and one which has returned to the state’s Sweet 16.
“Finding value in what they’re doing every day goes a long way for the kid; it goes a long way for the team. We have 15 kids on the team and we put every ounce of effort we have into every single one of them to be the next one in line,” Jacobson said. “Every player is getting the same acknowledgment and the same eyes on them at practice. I think the team knows that and we really sell that to the kids that they matter whether they’re No. 1 or No. 15.”
The schedules for all Little League World Series tournaments were released on Monday afternoon. The World Series …
Last week Brandon Koser became the 16 local bowler to shoot consecutive 300 games as he rolled back-to-back perfect …
The Loyalsock and Hughesville girls basketball teams advanced to the second round of the PIAA Class AAA tournament. …
STATE COLLEGE — Beaver Stadium’s field has a new name. The Penn State Board of Trustees on Monday morning …
Copyright © Williamsport Sun-Gazette | https://www.sungazette.com | 252 W. Fourth Street, Williamsport, PA 17703 | 570-326-1551
