RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Central Mountain's Hunter Hoy (2) looks to the rim around Williamsport's Micah Washington (22) during a high school basketball game at Williamsport on Monday, Feb. 12, 2024. Williamsport won 67-63.

Obviously, Williamsport hoped its first 16 games would go better.

A team hit hard by graduation and even harder by injuries, Williamsport started the season 3-13, dropping six straight games at one point. Through it all, the Millionaires continue working and now are seeing some fruits of their labor.

What a time to do it, too.

Williamsport won its third straight game Monday, defeating Central Mountain, 67-63. The Millionaires have moved up two spots in the District 2-4 Class 6A standings and suddenly control their own destiny in terms of hosting a quarterfinal. It’s been a bumpy road at times, but all the goals remain there for the taking and finishing strong is all that matters now.

“These last two games have been the most fun this season as a team,” point guard Mahki Johnson said after scoring 24 points and dealing five assists against Central Mountain. “I feel like it’s all coming together now at the best time, at the end of the season with the playoffs coming up.”

Williamsport likely can secure a home playoff game if it wins at least one of its two remaining games, although both will be tough ones, tonight at home against La Academia Charter and Friday at Executive Education.

Still, Williamsport is gaining confidence and, while there is still plenty to improve on, that provides a good foundation moving forward. A team which lost several close games earlier this season now has won three straight all by single-digits, including against two defending district champions.

“We want to keep this going,” Williamsport guard Salaij Moses-Clark said after hitting the game-clinching free throws with 5.1 seconds remaining against Central Mountain. “It wasn’t the start we wanted but we want to finish strong.”

“The thing is we’re winning games that we would not have won earlier in the season,” Williamsport coach Allen Taylor said. “That’s the good thing. Can we continue to build off it? That would be nice.”

In order to do so, Williamsport understands it has to enhance what it has done well during its winning streak and improve on some areas where it has struggled. Specifically, the defense needs to play better after Central Mountain cut a 16-point third quarter deficit to two Monday. That has been a problem throughout the season, although Williamsport showed progress there in a 51-49 win against HAC-II champion Danville.

The offense shined in the first half against Central Mountain as Johnson scored 20 points and the Millionaires made 16 of 22 shots. Equally encouraging, four players score in double figures with Caden Holt, Micah Washington and Thomas Takach joining Washington and creating a good inside-outside game.

Still, Williamsport was out of rhythm and broke down at times during the second half. Earning the win was good, but the second half also gives Williamsport plenty to work on, starting tonight.

“The second half we just kind of lost our minds for a moment and kind of helped them back in it by rushing shots, not stepping to the ball and not executing our screens or reading screens,” Taylor said. “There were too many guys just standing rather than moving. Hopefully they’ll look at the film and try to clean those things up.”

If they do, Williamsport could be dangerous. The Millionaires certainly will be one of the most battle-tested teams in the six-team district field. They have some quality wins and also pushed District 3 Class 6A power Cumberland Valley hard at midseason.

Consistency is the key. The season has been a roller coaster and the team’s performance sometimes has reflected that during games. But right now, the ride is moving upward and that has Williamsport excited.

There is a lot Williamsport would like to change about its first 16 games. That is impossible, but the Millionaires control their future. The book on the 2024 Millionaires remains unfinished and Williamsport is trying to make the final chapter its most exciting.

“We need everybody to be engaged and everybody to be bringing on the court and off the bench. We need have everything working together,” Johnson said. “I feel like if we keep playing like this; we keep playing like a team, we can be a hard team to beat in the playoffs.