Mar 24, 2025
Loyalsock’s Addie Bastian reaches for a rebound during a girls basketball game against Jersey Shore earlier this season. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
PARKLAND — Imhotep started making a fourth quarter push Friday, moving within a basket of creating a single-digit game.
Then, like she was shot from a cannon, Addie Bastian shot toward midcourt and made the play of her life, a play which helped steer Loyalsock toward its first state championship appearance.
Bastian stole a pass, sprinted down the left sideline and found a cutting Jillian Kennedy for a layup which pushed the lead to 13 and ignited a 12-point-run. Game, set, match. Load up the Chocolate.
Bastian shined off the bench Friday in the Class AAA state semifinals, helping Loyalsock defeat Imhotep, 65-46 to reach its first state championship. The Lancers (29-2) will play Shady Side for the title Thursday at the Giant Center in Hershey.
“It feels amazing,” Bastian said. “It’s the first time for Loyalsock, and it’s great to be a part of this team and it’s great to be feeling this.”
Bastian played a monster role in the victory, especially with fantastic point guard Jaekairah Harden battling foul trouble all night. Harden has developed into one of the state’s premier defenders and helps set the tone for Loyalsock, so losing her could have been a devastating blow.
Instead, Bastian kept building on the stellar performances she has delivered throughout the postseason and played her best game yet at the perfect time. Picking up where Harden left off, Bastian was a defensive dynamo, helping Loyalsock limit the explosive Panthers to 23 points over the game’s final 18 minutes.
The junior guard made two steals, dealt two assists and grabbed two rebounds. Then there were the plays which stats do not show, specifically the swarming defense she provided and the smart decisions she made offensively. It was the perfect example of one excellent player stepping up when another went down and Bastian’s clutch performance helped Loyalsock become the area’s first girls’ team in 25 years to reach the state championship.
“She’s great. She’s really stepped up the last few games and really showed what she can do on the defensive end and on the offensive end,” center Alaina Dadzie said following her 31-point performance. “It’s super nice because you get a starter out in foul trouble you need someone to step up.”
“We had each others backs. With Jaekiairah fouling out we needed people to step up and we had that,” Bastian said. “Knowing my team can perform like that with me on the court feels amazing. I’m ready to see what Hershey brings.”
Loyalsock knows what Bastian brings and it is non-stop energy. She is the classic blue collar worker who earned her way onto the court as the season progressed after excelling at practices. Bastian kept improving, saw increased playing time come the postseason and has continued making a big impact ever since.
The boxscore might not show it, but Bastian repeatedly has done all the little things right which allow teams to win big games. She earned her opportunities the hard way and has cashed in, turning them into outstanding moments.
“Addie did great. She played a big role,” Kennedy said after scoring eight points. “I think we’re all really proud of her. To come in off the bench for a starter is really important, and she did great.”
“She’s a player you can trust because she’s committed to playing hard,” Loyalsock coach Curtis Jacobson said. “She doesn’t take a play off. She does a great job understanding her role.”
That trust shined through when Bastian made her game-changing fourth quarter play. Jacobson was advising Bastian to back up and pack things more toward the paint. But he also long has given his players the freedom to be athletes and trust their instincts.
Bastian did so here and perfectly read the play before sprinting forward like a prime Deion Sanders. She intercepted the pass, kept her head up and found Kennedy. Then Bastian turned around and repeated her thievery. The hustling guard made another steal and this one led to a Lacey Kriebel putback as Loyalsock started turning the last three minutes into a coronation while becoming Eastern Pennsylvania’s best 3A team.
From great hustle came a great play and a historic win.
“I am going to watch that back on film and replay it,” Bastian said. “It’s going to be good to watch over and over again.”
“She just plays so hard,” Jacobson said. “I don’t have enough good things to say about Addie Bastian.”
Many former high school athletes often mention the bus rides among their favorite memories. Well, Loyalsock …
SELINSGROVE – Junior A.J. Llorente – A Montoursville grad – tossed seven innings, allowing six hits and a run to …
PHILADELPHIA — From the time he was considered just a brash freshman with potential, Carter Starocci has been …
Hughesville erupted for 15 runs in its final two at-bats, turning a tie game into a rout as it opened its season …
Copyright © Williamsport Sun-Gazette | https://www.sungazette.com | 252 W. Fourth Street, Williamsport, PA 17703 | 570-326-1551
