Hughesville's Dylan Lesher passes the ball over three Dunmore defenders during the Spartans' PIAA plyaoff game Saturday. CRAIG MCKIBBEN Jr./Sun-Gazette

Entering the 2009-2010 season, many high school basketball fans wondered how Hughesville would replace all-time leading scorer Rezin Davis. What many failed to realize was the importance of replacing Andy Laychur. The senior forward was lost during football season after tearing his ACL in Week 5 and it was a devastating blow for a team projected to have four starters returning from a state semifinalist. Laychur was a consummate leader and a terrific defender who had made tremendous offensive progress last summer playing against elite competition. Laychur is a difficult player to replace but Hughesville had to if it was going to have another strong season and reach states for a fifth straight year. Enter Dylan Lesher. The junior forward has flourished since returning from a knee injury midway through the season and is a huge reason Hughesville (24-2) is District 4 Class AA champions and preparing for a second-round state tournament game Wednesday against Devon Prep.