The team huddles together moments before tipoff in the district championship match against Mifflin County. As senior captain Michael Powell addressed the group, his teammates watched attentively. Junior Lucas Starks was extremely complimentary of Powell’s leadership: “After every game, he’d send us messages reminding us that we played our hearts out. He was like the big brother of the team. Even when we saw teammates get hurt or quit, he never lost focus of what we wanted to accomplish and I think that speaks volumes,” Starks said.
On Friday, Feb. 27, the State College Boys’ Basketball team lost its subregional meeting with Taylor Allderdice High School. The game was close from start to finish, but an impressive 22-point performance from Allderdice team captain Lukas Stead propelled the Dragons to victory and ended the Little Lions’ season. Although the loss was not the result anyone at State High was hoping for, their season is still something that the team can hang their hats on. From an ACL injury sidelining the team’s leading scorer in junior Nick Carr, to having multiple players quit mid-season, the Little Lions did not get through the winter without their fair share of turmoil. Despite it all, they managed to capture a fifth straight district championship and came out on the other side with a bond that will last far beyond the walls of high school. The following gallery depicts the highlights, lowlights, and everything in between as the State College Boys’ basketball team etched another year into the history books.
Junior Nick Carr rises towards the hoop during a win over Harrisburg on Dec. 12. Carr finished the game with 22 points to help the Lions to their victory. Carr tore his ACL a month later in a game against Exeter Township. The injury ended his season. “It was tough not being able to play and help the team in ways I did when I was healthy,” Carr said. “But it motivates me even more because I know I gotta work significantly harder than everybody else once healthy.” (Ellory Potter)Senior Parker Thurley takes the ball up the court, surveying the defense, during the team’s December 12th win over Harrisburg. Thurley saw a significant increase in minutes compared to last year. Starting nearly every game, Thurley was a strong rebounder, consistent three-point shooter, and high-IQ player. “It was hard at first because of how different my role was last year, but we had such a great group of guys this year that it didn’t take very long to start feeling comfortable,” Thurley said in reflection of his season. (Ellory Potter)The team stands together during the playing of the national anthem prior to its 55-51 overtime loss to Central Dauphin. (Ellory Potter)Senior Spencer Neilson absorbs contact from a Central Dauphin player as he slices into the lane before attempting a layup. (Ellory Potter)As junior Nick Carr celebrates in the background, sophomore Micah James hangs on the rim after an emphatic fastbreak dunk over a Central Dauphin defender. James burst onto the scene in December and impacted the team positively from the start to the finish of the season. “This year’s team really meant a lot to me, especially with it being my first year on varsity,” James said. “I had a solid sophomore season, and it showed me where I can grow as a player. The connection we all built was great; it made the whole experience special. I’m excited to carry that energy into [my] next couple of years.” (Ellory Potter)Junior Lucas Starks and sophomore Chase Rhoades celebrate a Starks three-point shot as they get back on defense during the Jan. 9 loss to CD. (Ellory Potter)Junior Connor Baldwin slices through the defense before finishing at the rim during a contest at Central Dauphin on Feb. 5. “Something I took away from this season is to be confident in yourself. I learned that I’m on the team for a reason and I can’t overthink my skill set on the court,” Baldwin said on his growth this season. (Ellory Potter)Sophomore Micah James elevates to the rim, beating a Chambersburg defender and scoring the basket. The efforts from State College were not enough to hold off Chambersburg on their home court, however, and Chambersburg ended up taking the victory, 59-44. (Ellory Potter)Junior Lucas Starks, junior JJ Powell, senior Spencer Neilson, and sophomore Chase Rhoades listen as Head Coach Brian Scholly gives his final pregame speech prior to their game against Erie McDowell on Feb. 7. The long road trip marked the final game of the regular season for the team, and the third away game in a six-day span. Although the game ended in a loss, Coach Scholly kept a positive outlook when speaking to the team postgame. “You guys have traveled more this week (16 hours of bus time) than most teams travel in an entire season. Take this feeling and bring it into our [district championship] game next week,” Scholly emphasized. (Ellory Potter)Senior Spencer Neilson gives his teammates high-fives as his name is called during starting lineups at the Feb. 7 game vs. Erie McDowell. Neilson did not begin the season as a starter, but amidst injuries and a handful of players quitting, Neilson remained consistent and earned himself a starting spot for the second half of the season. “Although this season was challenging, it was the most rewarding of my career. It forced me to step into bigger roles during important times. I love this team, and I’m proud of how we competed and persevered despite any background noise,” Neilson said. (Ellory Potter)Senior Assistant Coach Noah Radio looks on during a timeout as Coach Brian Scholly draws up a play. Radio had a unique senior season—he was brought on to the coaching staff in November—where he made a significant impact on the entire team. (Ellory Potter)Junior Carter Tejeda takes a layup during warmups for the district championship game. Tejeda saw limited minutes this season, but his commitment to the team never wavered. Despite a number of players leaving the team mid-season, Tejeda stuck with it. “What made me stay was my teammates. I consider them family, and I was always thinking of next season. I knew if not this season then next, and I didn’t want to ruin that,” Tejeda said. When he wasn’t playing, the junior remained a vocal, supportive presence from the bench. (Ellory Potter)Before tip-off at the district championship game, sophomore Chase Rhoades wraps his arms around his teammates for the playing of the national anthem. (Ellory Potter)The team huddles together moments before tipoff in the district championship match against Mifflin County. As senior captain Michael Powell addressed the group, his teammates watched attentively. Junior Lucas Starks was extremely complimentary of Powell’s leadership: “After every game, he’d send us messages reminding us that we played our hearts out. He was like the big brother of the team. Even when we saw teammates get hurt or quit, he never lost focus of what we wanted to accomplish and I think that speaks volumes,” Starks attested. (Ellory Potter)Senior Spencer Neilson drives past a defender in the first quarter of the team’s 53-45 victory over Mifflin County in the District 6 championship game on Feb. 19. Neilson finished the contest with 17 points on 83% shooting efficiency. (Ellory Potter)Sophomore Chase Rhoades probes the defense of Mifflin County’s Zach Keller. Eyes up even in the paint, Rhoades was the team’s starting point guard and made the most of his minutes on the court; he averaged five assists per contest throughout the season. “My job as point guard was to lead the team and to put my teammates in positions where they can succeed. I’ll do even more next year and always will look to create plays for my teammates,” Rhoades said. (Ellory Potter)[Left to Right] Seniors Noah Radio, Parker Thurley, Michael Powell, and Spencer Neilson hoist the district trophy in celebration of their victory. Following the medal ceremony, the team was greeted by their family and friends who made the trip to Mount Aloysius College to watch the game. (Ellory Potter)Head Coach Brian Scholly assigns matchups to his starting lineup during his locker room speech prior to the season-ending loss to Taylor Allderdice on Feb. 27. When Scholly spoke, his players were attentive. In turn, Scholly was quick to commend his players: “This group was so enjoyable to work with on a daily basis because you could feel a true blend of a group working to accomplish something special while also just having fun playing a game they love with people they care about,” he said. (Ellory Potter)Sophomore Chase Rhoades, senior Parker Thurley, sophomore Micah James, and senior Spencer Neilson tuck in their shirts as they watch Allderdice announce their starting lineup. The game was one of tight margins, with State College giving up a late, six-point lead over the opposition and eventually losing by two points. (Ellory Potter)With an obstreperous student section in the background, senior Spencer Neilson shoots–and makes–two free throws after being fouled. The crowd noise at the game was a large factor in the loss, disrupting communication between State College players. The rowdy group of students even brought a folding table used solely as a noisemaker by banging on the surface. (Ellory Potter)
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