Game Summaries & Team News
Game Summaries
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Boys Varsity Basketball vs. Central Mountain High School
1 year ago
| Sean McCann
Millionaires Win: 78 - 52
Point Proven: Williamsport takes over area’s top ranking and routs Central Mountain
FEB 14, 2023
CHRIS MASSE
Sports reporter
cmasse@sungazette.com
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Central Mountain's Essex Taylor (1) looks for a shot around Williamsport's Caden Holt (2) and George Whaley (10) during a high school boy's basketball game on Tuesday at Central Mountain. Williamsport won 78-52.
MILL HALL–Allen Taylor provided his players quite a pregame spark Tuesday night. And the Williamsport coach need not even open his mouth.
All Taylor had to do was point. He simply showed his team the Sun-Gazette and WNEP boys basketball rankings which had Central Mountain at No. 1 and Williamsport ranked below. Doing so revved up high-powered motors which never slowed down over the next 32 minutes.
Williamsport dominated all facets, played one of its most complete games and overwhelmed Central Mountain, defeating it, 78-52. The Millionaires (17-4) won their 10th straight game, handed Central Mountain (20-2) its only home loss this season and snapped its 10-game winning streak. When Chris White sprinted downcourt and swatted away a last-second shot, it also made something else abundantly clear:
Williamsport now holds the Sun-Gazette’s top ranking.
“We’re No. 1,” White said. “Williamsport is No. 1.”
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Central Mountain's Hayden Pardoe (3) tries for a shot around Williamsport's Jakiha Kline (4) during a high school boy's basketball game on Tuesday at Central Mountain. Williamsport won 78-52.
It certainly is.
Williamsport ascended to the top of the Sun-Gazette rankings by again playing outstanding team basketball on both ends. The Millionaires also imposed their will and broke open a close game during the second half, turning a tenuous five-point halftime advantage into a 30-point blowout midway through the fourth quarter. Every player produced strong performances, five scored at least eight points and the defense took over throughout the final two quarters.
Obviously, Williamsport’s primary goal goes far beyond local rankings. This selfless team is focused on seeing how far it can extend this season. Still, it sure is proving others wrong, excelling against an excellent opponent and quieting a raucous student section.
“We don’t play for rankings, but the kids saw that, and it motivated them,” Taylor said. “They played well, and they played hard. I’m happy for them.”
“Over the summer, we went to team camps, and we got closer. We just seem more like a family,” guard George Whaley said. “We all have one goal and that’s to go far.”
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Central Mountain's Hayden Pardoe (3) looks for a shot around Williamsport's Jamaire Harden (0) and Thomas Takach (11) during a high school boy's basketball game on Tuesday at Central Mountain. Williamsport won 78-52.
Play as it did against Central Mountain and/or keep building off that performance and Williamsport could have a shot at doing so. The Millionaires allowed just 25 second-half points, forced 20 turnovers and efficiently worked the offense, producing 19 assists. Williamsport also made 55.7 of its shots and put on a marvelous display over the second half’s first 12 minutes when it connected on 16 of 21 shots.
Whaley scored a game-high 22 points, while adding four assists, four rebounds and four steals. The senior twice ignited game-changing runs, the first one helping Williamsport erase an early four-point deficit and then next pointing the way toward a blowout. The game was tied 19-19 after the first quarter, but Whaley had a hand in 11 straight Millionaire points to start the second as Williamsport went up, 37-32 at halftime.
Whaley picked up where he left off in the third quarter. He either scored or assisted on possessions which produced 10 straight Williamsport points with his assist to Jamaire Harden, making it 55-38 midway through the third. He scored 12 of his 22 points during those spurts and when Central Mountain focused on him, Whaley simply facilitated and let the team’s other weapons inflict the damage.
“I got hot and once I usually get hot, I try and keep shooting, but if the shots aren’t there, I’m feeding my teammates because I know they’ll come through,” Whaley said. “It doesn’t have to be one person all the time. Everyone is a threat.”
That is what has made Williamsport so dangerous. All eight players in the main rotation have produced double-digit performances this season. And even if those players are not scoring, they consistently are doing so many other things which help alter games.
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Central Mountain's Hunter Hoy (2) moves the ball past Williamsport's Zach Lake (1) and George Whaley (10) during a high school boy's basketball game on Tuesday at Central Mountain. Williamsport won 78-52.
Tuesday’s performance proved that point once again. Caden Holt (14 points) and Jakiha Kline (10 and 7 rebounds) scored in double figures, while Zach Lake produced nine points, six assists and three steals. What really started dictating the game, though, was Williamsport’s depth, relentless pressure and pace. A team which often played zone defense out of necessity earlier this season has picked up the man-to-man exceedingly better and eventually wore down a potent Central Mountain team which leads the area in scoring.
White, Jamaire Harden and Thomas Takach all shined off the bench and played key roles in forcing the Central Mountain offense out of rhythm. The Millionaires constantly hounded ball-handlers, communicated well and closed of passing lanes. Kline and Takach held the area’s second-leading scorer Hayden Pardoe to 10 points, 12 below his average. He and dynamic point guard Jack Hanna (17 points) average nearly 40 points per game and limiting that duo to 27, including just seven in the second half, played a major role in the game’s outcome.
“We put that pressure on for 90 feet and that changed the game. They had trouble getting into their offense, they couldn’t get what they wanted, and they weren’t able to get going the whole second half,” Taylor said. “I was very happy with the effort and the energy and enthusiasm of playing hard the entire game. There was no let up at any point. Early in the year we would get up and there would be some let up. Now we’re starting to be more mature. With a veteran team you’d expect that. They’re starting to get it and they’re doing it at the right time.”
Every Millionaire played well Tuesday, but White may have been the X-factor. The hustling guard seemingly was everywhere. As soon as he entered in the first quarter, the Millionaire defense’s intensity rose a notch. White swarmed guards as soon as they caught the entry pass, making five steals and helping force several other turnovers with his relentless pressure.
White also gave the offense a boost, scoring five of his seven points in the second quarter. He added six rebounds and four assists, highlighting the qualities which have made Williamsport’s bench one of the best throughout District 4.
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Williamsport's Zach Lake (1) looses his balance while claiming a rebound during a high school boy's basketball game against Central Mountain on Tuesday at Central Mountain. Williamsport won 78-52.
“I was feeling good,” White said. “I like defense. I take pride in defense for sure.”
“When he came in, his energy on the ball, full court and making whoever he was guarding have to work just to bring it up the floor lifted the team,” Taylor said. “He was that kind of gnat, just constantly bothering them and that’s what we need out of him. He can knock down the 3 and he made some nice passes and played a really strong all-around floor game.”
Williamsport led 61-44 entering the fourth quickly. Like a shark sensing blood in the water, Williamsport quickly finished off the Wildcats. Excelling in both transition and the half-court, while effectively and quickly moving the ball, Williamsport made its first six shots of the quarter. Holt’s assist to Takach capped the blistering flurry and put the Millionaires up, 76-46. The starters exited shortly thereafter.
Another big challenge comes Friday against state title contender Executive Education. The Millionaires have earned the top seed for districts and will then host a semifinal on Monday, Feb. 27. The work continues, but the Millionaires sure enjoyed making a statement Tuesday.
“We all trust each other, and go out there and play together,” White said. “We play as a team and get the job done.”
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Central Mountain's Levi Schlesinger (30) reaches in to block a shot by Williamsport's George Whaley (10) during a high school boy's basketball game on Tuesday at Central Mountain. Williamsport won 78-52.
WILLIAMSPORT (78)
George Whaley 11 0-1 22, Jakiha Kline 4 2-3 10, Caleb Fausnaught 0 0-0 0, Zach Lake 4 0-0 9, Caden Holt 5 1-1 14, Jamaire Harden 3 2-2 8, Thomas Takach 3 0-0 6, Chris White 3 0-0 7, Naamir Lowe 1 0-0 2. Totals 34 5-7 78.
CENTRAL MOUNTAIN (52)
Hayden Pardoe 3 4-5 10, Jack Hanna 7 2-3 17, Essex Taylor 4 0-0 9, Hunter Hoy 5 0-0 10, Levi Schlesinger 0 1-4 1, Jeremy Reese 0 2-4 2, Matthew Myers 1 0-0 3. Totals 20 9-16 52.
Williamsport 19 18 24 17-78
C. Mountain 19 13 12 8-52
3-pointers: Williamsport 5 (Holt 3, Lake, White); Central Mountain 3 (Hanna, Taylor, Myers).
Records: Williamsport 17-4. Central Mountain 20-2.
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Williamsport's Jakiha Kline (4) looks for a shot while Central Mountain's Levi Schlesinger (30) and Hunter Hoy (2) try to block during a high school boy's basketball game on Tuesday at Central Mountain. Williamsport won 78-52.
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Williamsport's Jakiha Kline (4) looks for a shot while Central Mountain's Xavier Persun (14) tries to block during a high school boy's basketball game on Tuesday at Central Mountain. Williamsport won 78-52.
Boys Varsity Basketball vs. Loyalsock Township High School
1 year ago
| Sean McCann
Millionaires Win: 68 - 55
Boys Varsity Basketball vs. Shamokin Area
1 year ago
| Sean McCann
Millionaires Win: 68 - 51
Boys Varsity Basketball vs. Academy Park High School
1 year ago
| Sean McCann
Millionaires Win: 107.00 - 72
Boys Varsity Basketball vs. Central Mountain High School
1 year ago
| Sean McCann
Millionaires Win: 78 - 52
Point Proven: Williamsport takes over area’s top ranking and routs Central Mountain
FEB 14, 2023
CHRIS MASSE
Sports reporter
cmasse@sungazette.com
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Central Mountain's Essex Taylor (1) looks for a shot around Williamsport's Caden Holt (2) and George Whaley (10) during a high school boy's basketball game on Tuesday at Central Mountain. Williamsport won 78-52.
MILL HALL–Allen Taylor provided his players quite a pregame spark Tuesday night. And the Williamsport coach need not even open his mouth.
All Taylor had to do was point. He simply showed his team the Sun-Gazette and WNEP boys basketball rankings which had Central Mountain at No. 1 and Williamsport ranked below. Doing so revved up high-powered motors which never slowed down over the next 32 minutes.
Williamsport dominated all facets, played one of its most complete games and overwhelmed Central Mountain, defeating it, 78-52. The Millionaires (17-4) won their 10th straight game, handed Central Mountain (20-2) its only home loss this season and snapped its 10-game winning streak. When Chris White sprinted downcourt and swatted away a last-second shot, it also made something else abundantly clear:
Williamsport now holds the Sun-Gazette’s top ranking.
“We’re No. 1,” White said. “Williamsport is No. 1.”
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Central Mountain's Hayden Pardoe (3) tries for a shot around Williamsport's Jakiha Kline (4) during a high school boy's basketball game on Tuesday at Central Mountain. Williamsport won 78-52.
It certainly is.
Williamsport ascended to the top of the Sun-Gazette rankings by again playing outstanding team basketball on both ends. The Millionaires also imposed their will and broke open a close game during the second half, turning a tenuous five-point halftime advantage into a 30-point blowout midway through the fourth quarter. Every player produced strong performances, five scored at least eight points and the defense took over throughout the final two quarters.
Obviously, Williamsport’s primary goal goes far beyond local rankings. This selfless team is focused on seeing how far it can extend this season. Still, it sure is proving others wrong, excelling against an excellent opponent and quieting a raucous student section.
“We don’t play for rankings, but the kids saw that, and it motivated them,” Taylor said. “They played well, and they played hard. I’m happy for them.”
“Over the summer, we went to team camps, and we got closer. We just seem more like a family,” guard George Whaley said. “We all have one goal and that’s to go far.”
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Central Mountain's Hayden Pardoe (3) looks for a shot around Williamsport's Jamaire Harden (0) and Thomas Takach (11) during a high school boy's basketball game on Tuesday at Central Mountain. Williamsport won 78-52.
Play as it did against Central Mountain and/or keep building off that performance and Williamsport could have a shot at doing so. The Millionaires allowed just 25 second-half points, forced 20 turnovers and efficiently worked the offense, producing 19 assists. Williamsport also made 55.7 of its shots and put on a marvelous display over the second half’s first 12 minutes when it connected on 16 of 21 shots.
Whaley scored a game-high 22 points, while adding four assists, four rebounds and four steals. The senior twice ignited game-changing runs, the first one helping Williamsport erase an early four-point deficit and then next pointing the way toward a blowout. The game was tied 19-19 after the first quarter, but Whaley had a hand in 11 straight Millionaire points to start the second as Williamsport went up, 37-32 at halftime.
Whaley picked up where he left off in the third quarter. He either scored or assisted on possessions which produced 10 straight Williamsport points with his assist to Jamaire Harden, making it 55-38 midway through the third. He scored 12 of his 22 points during those spurts and when Central Mountain focused on him, Whaley simply facilitated and let the team’s other weapons inflict the damage.
“I got hot and once I usually get hot, I try and keep shooting, but if the shots aren’t there, I’m feeding my teammates because I know they’ll come through,” Whaley said. “It doesn’t have to be one person all the time. Everyone is a threat.”
That is what has made Williamsport so dangerous. All eight players in the main rotation have produced double-digit performances this season. And even if those players are not scoring, they consistently are doing so many other things which help alter games.
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Central Mountain's Hunter Hoy (2) moves the ball past Williamsport's Zach Lake (1) and George Whaley (10) during a high school boy's basketball game on Tuesday at Central Mountain. Williamsport won 78-52.
Tuesday’s performance proved that point once again. Caden Holt (14 points) and Jakiha Kline (10 and 7 rebounds) scored in double figures, while Zach Lake produced nine points, six assists and three steals. What really started dictating the game, though, was Williamsport’s depth, relentless pressure and pace. A team which often played zone defense out of necessity earlier this season has picked up the man-to-man exceedingly better and eventually wore down a potent Central Mountain team which leads the area in scoring.
White, Jamaire Harden and Thomas Takach all shined off the bench and played key roles in forcing the Central Mountain offense out of rhythm. The Millionaires constantly hounded ball-handlers, communicated well and closed of passing lanes. Kline and Takach held the area’s second-leading scorer Hayden Pardoe to 10 points, 12 below his average. He and dynamic point guard Jack Hanna (17 points) average nearly 40 points per game and limiting that duo to 27, including just seven in the second half, played a major role in the game’s outcome.
“We put that pressure on for 90 feet and that changed the game. They had trouble getting into their offense, they couldn’t get what they wanted, and they weren’t able to get going the whole second half,” Taylor said. “I was very happy with the effort and the energy and enthusiasm of playing hard the entire game. There was no let up at any point. Early in the year we would get up and there would be some let up. Now we’re starting to be more mature. With a veteran team you’d expect that. They’re starting to get it and they’re doing it at the right time.”
Every Millionaire played well Tuesday, but White may have been the X-factor. The hustling guard seemingly was everywhere. As soon as he entered in the first quarter, the Millionaire defense’s intensity rose a notch. White swarmed guards as soon as they caught the entry pass, making five steals and helping force several other turnovers with his relentless pressure.
White also gave the offense a boost, scoring five of his seven points in the second quarter. He added six rebounds and four assists, highlighting the qualities which have made Williamsport’s bench one of the best throughout District 4.
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Williamsport's Zach Lake (1) looses his balance while claiming a rebound during a high school boy's basketball game against Central Mountain on Tuesday at Central Mountain. Williamsport won 78-52.
“I was feeling good,” White said. “I like defense. I take pride in defense for sure.”
“When he came in, his energy on the ball, full court and making whoever he was guarding have to work just to bring it up the floor lifted the team,” Taylor said. “He was that kind of gnat, just constantly bothering them and that’s what we need out of him. He can knock down the 3 and he made some nice passes and played a really strong all-around floor game.”
Williamsport led 61-44 entering the fourth quickly. Like a shark sensing blood in the water, Williamsport quickly finished off the Wildcats. Excelling in both transition and the half-court, while effectively and quickly moving the ball, Williamsport made its first six shots of the quarter. Holt’s assist to Takach capped the blistering flurry and put the Millionaires up, 76-46. The starters exited shortly thereafter.
Another big challenge comes Friday against state title contender Executive Education. The Millionaires have earned the top seed for districts and will then host a semifinal on Monday, Feb. 27. The work continues, but the Millionaires sure enjoyed making a statement Tuesday.
“We all trust each other, and go out there and play together,” White said. “We play as a team and get the job done.”
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Central Mountain's Levi Schlesinger (30) reaches in to block a shot by Williamsport's George Whaley (10) during a high school boy's basketball game on Tuesday at Central Mountain. Williamsport won 78-52.
WILLIAMSPORT (78)
George Whaley 11 0-1 22, Jakiha Kline 4 2-3 10, Caleb Fausnaught 0 0-0 0, Zach Lake 4 0-0 9, Caden Holt 5 1-1 14, Jamaire Harden 3 2-2 8, Thomas Takach 3 0-0 6, Chris White 3 0-0 7, Naamir Lowe 1 0-0 2. Totals 34 5-7 78.
CENTRAL MOUNTAIN (52)
Hayden Pardoe 3 4-5 10, Jack Hanna 7 2-3 17, Essex Taylor 4 0-0 9, Hunter Hoy 5 0-0 10, Levi Schlesinger 0 1-4 1, Jeremy Reese 0 2-4 2, Matthew Myers 1 0-0 3. Totals 20 9-16 52.
Williamsport 19 18 24 17-78
C. Mountain 19 13 12 8-52
3-pointers: Williamsport 5 (Holt 3, Lake, White); Central Mountain 3 (Hanna, Taylor, Myers).
Records: Williamsport 17-4. Central Mountain 20-2.
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Williamsport's Jakiha Kline (4) looks for a shot while Central Mountain's Levi Schlesinger (30) and Hunter Hoy (2) try to block during a high school boy's basketball game on Tuesday at Central Mountain. Williamsport won 78-52.
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Williamsport's Jakiha Kline (4) looks for a shot while Central Mountain's Xavier Persun (14) tries to block during a high school boy's basketball game on Tuesday at Central Mountain. Williamsport won 78-52.
Boys Varsity Basketball vs. Loyalsock Township High School
1 year ago
| Sean McCann
Millionaires Win: 68 - 55
Harden takes over late as Williamsport pulls away and defeats Loyalsock
FEB 4, 2023
CHRIS MASSE
Sports reporter
cmasse@sungazette.com
A Division I recruit as a wide receiver; Jamaire Harden becomes quite a quarterback each basketball season. He might not light up the scoreboard, but he does everything to help his team do so and everything that makes Harden dangerous came shining through late Saturday night.
In the latest thrilling Williamsport-Loyalsock showdown, the game was tied with four minutes remaining. From there on, Harden left an indelible stamp on the game’s outcome, putting on an all-around clinic. He made three steals, dealt three assists, added four points and keyed a huge run as Williamsport pulled away for a hard-fought 68-55 win at Lycoming’s Lamade Gymnasium. George Whaley scored 19 points and was one of four Millionaires (13-4) who reached double figures, helping Williamsport win on a night the gym was filled well before the JV game ended.
Every player did his part, but Harden went into overdrive at the most crucial time and was the most valuable player over those last four minutes as Williamsport closed on a 17-4 run and won its sixth consecutive game.
“It was real fun just helping my team bring up the energy when we had to face a little bit of adversity with their comeback,” Harden said. “Me coming in and changing the whole game and finding Biscuit (Jakiha Kline) for the (go-ahead) dunk and changing the whole crowd’s momentum, that was really big.”
Harden ignited the game-ending run when he rebounded a missed shot and fired a long pass Kline’s way. The senior forward threw down a thunderous one-hand slam, the Millionaire crowd erupted, and Williamsport was off and running. Harden was just getting started, too.
Those steals and/or turnovers Harden created were hammer-like blows after Loyalsock had fought back from 11 down in the first quarter to tie the game. People might look at the box score, see that Harden scored six points and think he did not make a big impact. Anyone who watched the game, however, knows what a big-time difference-maker he was.
The super sub finished with five steals and five assists, and his defensive pressure forced turnovers even when he did not directly make the steal. What lifted Williamsport and sank Loyalsock (12-7) late was that Harden turned those steals into points. Following the Kline dunk, Harden made a steal and found Zach Lake for a 3-point play.
Harden produced another steal moments later and Whaley sank a 3-pointer. Fittingly, Harden dropped the hammer on Loyalsock, hitting two free throws and then collecting his final steal and converting a layup to make it 66-55 with less than a minute remaining.
“That was clutch,” Williamsport coach Allen Taylor said. “The way he played the last 3 1/2 minutes was huge for us. He forced two or three turnovers that led to transition buckets. It wasn’t just a steal, and we got a possession. It was we got a steal and we scored.”
“I always would rather have two points than win a game than have 30 and lose. I like doing the little stuff that changes momentum and helping my teammates get better,” Harden said. “Whether it’s scoring or finding my teammates or playing defense, I just like changing the game’s complexion and helping us win games.”
That is a mentality all Harden’s teammates share and reveals a lot about how this team has come together to start surging down the stretch. Every player Taylor used again made positive impacts and Whaley, Kline (10 points, 7 rebounds), Caden Holt (11 points) and reserve Thomas Takach (10 points, five rebounds) all reached double figures. Lake added four assists and Caleb Fausnaught seven points.
This is a team playing without fear as well. Five players scored in the fourth quarter and different Millionaires stepped up in pivotal situations. It was a near repeat of how Williamsport closed out Shamokin Thursday with each Millionaire playing to his strength and shining under pressure.
“We found a way to overcome adversity and play through it. I’m proud of the way the guys fought through and controlled the things they could control,” Taylor said. “That’s what I’ve been preaching all season. Let’s focus on what we can control and take care of those things and everything else will take care of itself. I’m just thankful those guys were able to take care of the focus, execute in the end and extend the lead.”
A night after capturing the HAC-III championship, Loyalsock looked like it was in big trouble when Williamsport scored the game’s first 10 points and led 12-1 less than three minutes in. A team which has made big strides this season, however, came roaring back. The Lancers cut it to seven at halftime, tied it late in the third quarter and exchanged leads three times in the fourth, going up for the last time, 51-50 on a Gage Patterson runner.
“We weren’t ready for the first three minutes and the last three minutes,” Loyalsock coach Ron Insinger said a night after his team won its seventh straight league title. “We played pretty well other than the beginning and the end.”
Indeed. Loyalsock controlled the middle quarters but fighting back from a double-digit deficit against a deep team like Williamsport consumes a lot of energy. Still, Loyalsock generated a lot of positives and playing Williamsport should again help it prepare for the postseason.
Nate Bauman fueled the comeback and was a force in the first half when he scored 13 of his 20 points. Jaylen Andrews scored 15 points and heated up in the second quarter when Loyalsock came charging back. Patterson had 14 points, five rebounds and five assists, while Ethan Nagy produced 10 rebounds, giving him 22 the last two nights. Loyalsock took its first lead when Bauman found Nagy for a layup to make it, 49-47 but Takach answered with a 3-pointer. Patterson then countered with the runner to put Sock back ahead before Kline’s free throw tied it 51-51 with 4 minutes, 10 seconds remaining.
“It was a playoff atmosphere and that’s why we have it and that’s why we play them,” Insinger said. “We’re not going to go against anyone faster, stronger or who can play any better than these guys.”
Harden fought for the rebound and produced the game’s turning point when he threw the outlet pass to Kline for his go-ahead dunk. The Millionaires rattled off the next eight points and after Loyalsock ended the run, Harden quickly found Lake for the 3-point play and made it 62-53 with 1:42 remaining.
“The amount of times we’ve been through situations like that, it’s been building us as a team and helping us stay together through adversity,” Harden said. “When things are close, we lock in and dial in and get the job done.”
WILLIAMSPORT (68)
George Whaley 7 4-4 19, Jakiha Kline 4 2-3 10, Caleb Fausnaught 3 1-2 7, Zach Lake 2 1-1 5, Caden Holt 3 3-3 11, Jamaire Harden 2 2-3 6, Thomas Takach 3 2-2 10, Kyreek Bradshaw 0 0-0 0. Totals 24 15-18 68.
LOYALSOCK (55)
Jaylen Andrews 6 0-0 15, Gage Patterson 5 3-4 14, Nate Bauman 8 3-5 20, Tyler Gee 0 0-0 0, Ethan Nagy 3 0-0 6, Tarik Abdul-Hakim 0 0-0 0, Isiah Jennings 0 0-0 0, Alec Kulp 0 0-0 0. Totals 21 6-9 55.
Williamsport 22 14 9 23-68
Loyalsock 14 17 11 13-55
3-pointers: Williamsport 5 (Holt 2, Takach 2, Whaley); Loyalsock 5 (Andrews 3, Patterson, Bauman).
Records: Williamsport 13-4. Loyalsock 12-7.
Boys Varsity Basketball vs. Shamokin Area
1 year ago
| Sean McCann
Millionaires Win: 68 - 51
All for one and one for all: Williamsport boys continue playing excellent team basketball and defeat Shamokin
FEB 2, 2023
CHRIS MASSE
Sports reporter
cmasse@sungazette.com
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Williamsport's Caleb Fausnaught (34) looks for a shot over the head of Shamokin's Jenssyn Shuey during a high school boy's basketball game on Thursday at Williamsport. Williamsport won 68 -51.
Williamsport missed a few second half shots Thursday night, but not many. The ball moved as fast as players did and the Millionaires continued producing quality, high-percentage shots. The points piled up and Williamsport stacked up another impressive win.
The Millionaires efficiently and unselfishly executed their offense, turned up the defense and ran away from Shamokin, winning 68-51 at the Magic Dome. Williamsport (12-4) dominated the final 18 minutes after trailing by nine in the second quarter, made 75 % of its second-half shots and won its fifth straight game.
George Whaley scored 21 points, Zach Lake a career-high 16 and both starters and reserves shined as Williamsport continued surging as the stretch run heats up. The Millionaires shot over 60 % for a second straight game, dealt 21 assists and now have 51 assists on 70 field goals over the last two games.
“Everyone is trying to share the wealth. We’re just trying to help each out and trying to win,” forward Caleb Fausnaught said after sharing game-high rebounding honors with eight. “We’re not trying to put up 20 or 25 points. Everyone is just trying to do whatever it takes to win.”
“We just keep getting better. When we have a lot of guys in double digits, that’s a beautiful thing,” Lake said. “We really don’t care who it is that is scoring. Whoever is clicking is clicking, and we just feed that person.”
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Williamsport's Zach Lake (1) moves towards the paint around a Shamokin defender during a high school boy's basketball game on Thursday at Williamsport. Williamsport won 68 -51.
The nice thing for Williamsport is that so many players are clicking and so many can be well fed each game. The Millionaires feature one of the deepest benches among area teams and that group has been as impressive as the starters at times. That was especially evident in the closing minutes of the second quarter when Williamsport went from nine down to being up, 33-32 at halftime.
From there, the Millionaires trailed just one more time and that was in the third quarter’s opening seconds. Williamsport is playing as one and working for the best shots. The inside-outside game is keeping defenses on their heels and Williamsport quickly adjusted any time Shamokin (13-5) switched defenses Thursday.
The result was a team which never experienced a lull after snapping out of its second quarter funk and which emphatically sealed the win with a 15-1 fourth quarter run.
“At any given time, someone can step up and make shots. Everybody is scoring and at different times. That’s a good thing and hopefully we’ll continue that,” Williamsport coach Allen Taylor said. “If we’re going to peak, we’re peaking at the right time. Things are starting to come together and we’re starting to execute a lot better at the end of the game, a lot better than in the past. We’re burning clock, shooting layups and making free throws.”
Williamsport used a 16-2 run to open a 13-point third quarter advantage, but Shamokin drained four 3-pointers bridging the third and fourth quarters to make it, 53-48 early in the fourth. As quick as Shamokin rallied, Williamsport answered and reversed the momentum. The Millionaires scored at will over the next five minutes and its eruption gave it a 68-49 lead when the starters exited. As a testament to the team’s execution, Williamsport made all eight shot attempts in the fourth quarter while building that 19-point cushion.
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Williamsport's George Whaley (10) moves the ball past a Shamokin defender during a high school boy's basketball game on Thursday at Williamsport. Williamsport won 68 -51.
Conditioning and the strong bench play also loomed large in that decisive run. Jamaire Harden, Thomas Takach and Kyreek Bradshaw all excelled off the bench, providing production while also keeping the team fresh. So, when the game again grew tight, Williamsport had plenty left in the tank and landed a thunderous knockout blow against District 4’s Class AAAA leader.
“Coach just runs and runs us at practice. As much as we might hate it, in the fourth quarter it showed why we do it,” said Fausnaught who scored six points during the game-clinching run. “As the game goes on, we just get better and better. Our guys start clicking more and more. Their guys lose that step as we gain that step.”
Bradshaw features a tremendous first step and he was a big part of the second quarter push after Shamokin had gone up 23-14 with four minutes remaining in the half. The sophomore scored five first-half points and played a huge role when the Millionaires erased a six-point deficit in the half’s final 41 seconds.
During that pivotal time, Bradshaw converted a 3-point play and his last-second steal and dish to Jakiha Kline (9 points, 4 steals) gave Williamsport a 33-32 lead. Harden added four assists and Takach scored six points, including four in the second quarter, off the bench.
“We got some nice minutes from Kyreek Bradshaw who scored some buckets for us,” Taylor said. “He was really big for us.”
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Williamsport's Kyreek Bradshaw (20) moves the ball past Shamokin's Joe Hile (3) during a high school boy's basketball game on Thursday at Williamsport. Williamsport won 68 -51.
So were Whaley and Lake who both seemingly took over the game at different times. Whaley made a run at a triple-double, producing eight rebounds and seven assists to go along with his 21 points. He also played some of his best basketball at the most crucial time.
After Shamokin cut it to five in the fourth quarter, Whaley had a hand in seven quick points and Williamsport instantly changed the game’s complexion. First, Whaley found Caden Holt who drilled a clutch 3-pointer. Next, Whaley beat his defender to the basket for a layup and he then capped the flurry with a dish to Kline for a layup. Shamokin never threatened again.
“George is just George. In the open floor he’s dangerous,” Taylor said. “He’s very unselfish and he’s pretty much a jack of all trades.”
Lake plays a similar role and has played two of his best games in the last week. A guard who consistently stuffs the stat sheet and is among team leaders in assists, Lake both facilitated and ignited the offense against Shamokin. Lake went 7 for 10 from the field, made two 3-pointers at pivotal times and added four assists with two steals. Lake and Whaley combined for three 3-pointers early in the third quarter as the Millionaires started increasing the lead which eventually reached 13.
“I felt pretty confident. Again, that’s my teammates telling me to shoot the ball and showing they had the confidence in me,” Lake said. “Everyone is there for each other.”
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Williamsport's Caleb Fausnaught (34) reaches for a rebound around a Shamokin defender during a high school boy's basketball game on Thursday at Williamsport. Williamsport won 68 -51.
That includes on defense. After Shamokin went up nine in the second quarter, Taylor switched to a press, and it paid immediate dividends. Williamsport forced five turnovers over the final four minutes and six more in the third quarter, turning that nine-point deficit into a 49-36 lead.
The Millionaires communicated well, harassed ball-handlers and quickly fought back after making the switch. Bradshaw’s steal and assist to Kline at the buzzer punctuated how the game was changing and how it would continue evolving over the next 16 minutes. Fresh and playing as one, Williamsport made more than 50 % of its shots each quarter and took another step forward.
“We have so many legs on our team that we just rotate guys in and out,” Fausnaught said. “We don’t lose a step, not for a second.”
SHAMOKIN (51)
Joe Hile 6 2-2 15, Case Lichty 6 1-2 16, Jenssyn Shuey 2 3-4 7, Cameron Annis 3 0-0 9, Rylan Price 1 0-0 2, Brett Nye 1 0-0 2. Totals 19 6-8 51.
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Williamsport's Jakiha Kline (4) looks for a shot around Shamokin's Brett Nye (15) during a high school boy's basketball game on Thursday at Williamsport. Williamsport won 68 -51.
WILLIAMSPORT (68)
George Whaley 9 1-2 21, Jakiha Kline 4 1-2 9, Caleb Fausnaught 3 0-0 6, Zach Lake 7 0-0 16, Caden Holt 2 0-0 5, Jamaire Harden 0 0-0 0, Thomas Takach 3 0-0 6, Kyreek Bradshaw 2 1-1 5. Totals 30 3-5 68.
Shamokin 13 19 10 9-51
Williamsport 14 19 18 17-68
3-pointers: Shamokin 7 (Lichty 3, Annis 3, Hile); Williamsport 5 (Whaley 2, Lake 2, Holt).
Records: Williamsport 12-4. Shamokin 13-5.
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Williamsport's Jamaire Harden (0) goes up for a shot around a Shamokin defender during a high school boy's basketball game on Thursday at Williamsport. Williamsport won 68 -51.
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Williamsport's Thomas Takach (11) and Shamokin's Joe Hile (3) reach for a rebound during a high school boy's basketball game on Thursday at Williamsport. Williamsport won 68 -51.
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Williamsport's Kyreek Bradshaw (20) looks to the basket around Shamokin's Joe Hile (3) and Connor Mattern (5) during a high school boy's basketball game on Thursday at Williamsport. Williamsport won 68 -51.
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Williamsport's George Whaley (10) eyes the basket around Shamokin's Jenssyn Shuey (33) and Rylan Price (1) during a high school boy's basketball game on Thursday at Williamsport. Williamsport won 68 -51.
Boys Varsity Basketball vs. Academy Park High School
1 year ago
| Sean McCann
Millionaires Win: 107.00 - 72
Kline’s big game at the heart of Williamsport’s 107-point eruption as Millionaires pummel Academy Park
JAN 28, 2023
CHRIS MASSE
Sports reporter
cmasse@sungazette.com
MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Williamsport's George Whaley drives and shoots against Academy Park in the first quarter.
Jakiha Kline spent many summer afternoons honing his football skills and it paid off as the Williamsport senior developed into an outstanding defensive end/wide receiver.
But Kline still found time for basketball. He often could be found in the Magic Dome working with coach Allen Taylor on his post moves each morning. Now, both the football and basketball teams have reaped the rewards as Kline continues becoming a formidable weapon on the court.
Kline played his best high school game Saturday afternoon and was at the heart of a frightening offensive display as Williamsport dismantled Academy Park, 107-72. The 107 points are the most by an area team in the 2000s and Kline scored a career-high 20 while adding 12 rebounds, dealing three assists, making three steals and blocking three shots.
“I feel a lot more confident than last year,” Kline said. “I feel more comfortable with my game.”
Kline was mostly a defensive specialist off the bench a year ago, helping Williamsport (11-4) reach a second straight District 2-4 Class AAAAAA championship. A starter now, the 6-foot-5 senior still does a lot of the dirty work and fills up the stat sheet. But he is turning more offensive as the year progresses and, with the playoffs fast approaching, it’s perfect timing.
Kline has reached double figures in three of his last five games and scored his 20 in just three quarters, producing at least six each quarter as Williamsport won its fourth straight. Everything that is making Kline a tough matchup was on display, too. He scored with good moves, off the dribble, off putbacks and in transition.
By halftime, Kline almost already had a double-double, collecting 14 points and eight rebounds as Williamsport built a 50-36 lead.
“He can turn and face and even take you off the dribble. He’s done that the last three games, taking defenders off the dribble,” Taylor said. “He had a nice one today and did it against Tyrone and Dieruff as well. If he continues to develop that skill set, hopefully his confidence continues to go up.”
Williamsport has some strong guards in players like George Whaley, Zach Lake and Jamaire Harden, among others. They all effectively facilitate the offense and will find Kline if he is open. Pairing Kline with Caleb Fausnaught provides Williamsport two strong post players and that means the inside-outside game is coming alive.
Oh, how it did Saturday. The Millionaires blitzed Academy Park all afternoon, becoming District 4ás team to reach 100 points this season despite not playing any starters in the fourth quarter. Williamsport scored at least 24 points in each quarter, never trailed and opened the game on a 12-0 run.
MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Williamsport's George Whaley shoots over Academy Park's 4 with the assistance of team mate 4 in the second quarter.
Kline scored seven points, pulled down four rebounds and added two assists in the opening quarter as Williamsport took a 24-9 lead. His ability to attack the glass kept possessions alive, so even when Williamsport missed, he often was there to provide a second opportunity.
“I told him you have to think every ball that comes off the glass is yours. Just go get it,” Taylor said. “If he keeps doing that, he brings another dimension to our team.”
Williamsport showed off multiple dimensions against Academy Park and all were potent. The Millionaires played fantastic team basketball, six players scored at least nine points and all 12 players scored. The reserves went against Academy Park’s starters for much of the fourth quarter and still widened the lead at times and produced 23 points.
Everyone can be and everyone was a weapon Saturday. The Millionaires dealt a whopping 30 assists on their 40 field goals. They passed up good shots for even better ones and that played a huge role in Williamsport shooting a staggering 63 percent from the field.
“Our team as a whole plays really unselfish,” Kline said. “It gives everyone an opportunity to score that much. Everyone is committed to winning and that’s what makes us a good team.”
MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Williamsport's Thomas Takach looks for a shot around Academy Park in the first quarter.
“That’s what I keep trying to tell them it’s all about. Everybody has more fun; the bench is into it when you’re unselfish and playing for each other and looking for the next best shot,” Taylor said. “It’s nice when you see how many points you scored and know that 30 of those baskets were contributed to somebody else passing it to you, so that you can score. They played very unselfish. I’m very happy with that and we definitely have to continue to build on that.”
Whether starters or reserves it did not matter. Everyone made a big impact. Caden Holt scored 18 points, Whaley had 15 with six assists and five steals and Thomas Takach tallied 13 points off the bench. Chris White also was strong off the bench and scored nine points, as did Zach Lake. Kyreek Bradshaw added eight in the fourth quarter and Landon Allmaras’s free throws with 2:39 remaining gave Williamsport 100 points.
Williamsport led by 24 less than three minutes into the second quarter, but Academy Park rallied and cut it to 14 at halftime. The Millionaires have built several big first-half leads this season only to let opponents back in the game. Saturday, they learned from past mistakes and quickly landed the knockout blow in the third quarter.
Lake dealt four of his game-high seven assists in the opening four minutes of the third quarter as Williamsport went up, 66-40. After Academy Park was hit with one of its five technical fouls, Williamsport inflicted the mercy rule with 3:29 remaining in the quarter, opening it with a blistering 22-4 run.
“That was the goal,” Kline said. “Coach emphasized at halftime that we had to step on their necks and not let them get back into the game.”
MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Williamsport's 1 shoots around Academy Park's 10 in the second quarter.
“That’s exactly what we needed to do, just get out there and get after it,” Taylor said. “We did a much better job in the second half playing for each other.”
That is the goal moving forward, too. The Millionaires close with seven tough games, including Thursday and Saturday against District 4 Class AAAA-leading Shamokin and rival Loyalsock. They are atop the District 2-4 standings and playing well down the stretch would keep them there, while earning a bye into the semifinals.
“We have to make sure we’re mentally locked in and focused and engaged from the jump to the end,” Taylor said. “You’re opponent shouldn’t dictate your effort. You prepare and give the same effort, regardless. As long as we do that, we’ll be in a position to win more games.”
ACADEMY PARK (72)
Quadir Smith 3 1-1 7, Anthony Blue 2 0-0 4, Kyle Jones 4 4-4 13, Hakim Suplee-Reid 2 1-4 5, Jamir Anderson 9 11-15 34, Bangelee Bility 1 1-2 3, Nasir Miller 1 1-2 4, James Lawson 1 0-0 3. Totals 23 19-28 72.
WILLIAMSPORT (107)
George Whaley 6 2-4 15, Caleb Fausnaught 1 0-0 2, Caden Holt 7 2-4 18, Zach Lake 4 1-2 9, Jakiha Kline 8 4-7 20, Thomas Takach 6 1-2 13, Chris White 3 2-3 9, Makhi Johnson 3 0-0 6, Landon Allmaras 0 5-6 5, Kyreek Bradshaw 2 4-4 8, Naamir Lowe 1 0-1 2. Totals 40 22-33 107.
Academy Park 9 27 12 24-72
Williamsport 24 26 34 23-107
3-pointers: Academy Park 8 (Anderson 5, Jones, Miller, Lawson); Williamsport 4 (Holt 2, Whaley, White).
Records: Williamsport 11-4.