Cooper Wilkins was there during that lean one-win season. And he has been there the past three years, tirelessly working with his fellow determined teammates and raising the bar. Following consecutive District 4 Class AAA semifinal runs the past two seasons, Warrior Run captured its first league title of the 2000s earlier this month and came mighty close to adding a conference crown Friday night.

So, while Shamokin fought off a fourth-quarter rally and defeated Warrior Run, 61-51 at the Shikellamy Field House for its first HAC Tournament championship since 2016, Warrior Run still had a lot to feel good about.

“This team has worked so hard and just getting here is kind of a surreal feeling and achievement,” Wilkins said after capping a super tournament with an 18-point performance. “There’s a lot of season left and the hope is we can continue to go a lot farther, but this is the first time Warrior Run has made it to the PHAC Tournament, so it was surreal and really a pleasure.”

Warrior Run (18-6) had plenty of reason to feel good in defeat. As much as the Defenders wanted to keep making history and secure the conference title, they are especially focused on trying to do postseason damage.

Jake Bruckhart (4) of Warrior Run collides with Andre Bell (11) of Shamokin at Shikellamy High School. Shamokin won 61-51. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Playing outstanding 4A teams Mount Carmel and Shamokin twice in three nights sure helps prepare it. Wilkins drained a buzzer-beating 3-pointer Wednesday helping Warrior Run edge HAC-II co-champion Mount Carmel, 53-51. The Defenders then led late in the first half against Shamokin and cut a 12-point fourth quarter deficit to four with four minutes remaining.

“We talked about how maybe we put them on a pedestal and then realized, ‘Hey, we can play with these guys,'” Warrior Run coach Eric Wertman said. “There are a lot of positive experiences to take from this and a lot of positive momentum to take for us.”

Warrior Run will be the No. 2 seed in next week’s upcoming 3A district tournament and likely host Towanda. Normally, teams play scrimmages during long layoffs before playoffs, so the Defenders getting in two heavyweight battles against teams who are a combined 39-7 certainly provides a boost.

So how does how hard Warrior Run played against Shamokin.

Wilkins connected on five 3-pointers, Aiden McKee grabbed 15 rebounds while dealing four assists and every player Wertman used made quality contributions. That included reserves Jake Bruckhart, Gavin Gorton and Ethan Balzer who again provided sparks.

Aiden McKee of Warrior Run and Case Lichty of Shamokin reach for a rebound at Shikellamy High School. Shamokin won 61-51. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

In fact, Bruckhart and Balzer scored the first four fourth quarter points and ignited a 10-2 run. James Keifer and Landon Polcyn drained two 3-pointers following those free throws and Polcyn’s cut the deficit to 47-43. Jensynn Shuey then hit two straight treys for Shamokin but every time the Indians seemed ready to land the knockout blow, Warrior Run fought off the ropes.

The Defenders were down 12 entering the final minute, but Polcyn and Wilkins would not let Shamokin celebrate. They each buried 3-pointers, Wilkins’ making it 58-51 with 39.7 seconds left. Shamokin finally secured victory with standout Joey Hile (26 points) and Shuey, sinking clutch free throws, but the rally once again highlighted Warrior Run’s collective character.

“I told them, ‘Don’t even put your chins down. Be proud. You just fought to the very end,'” Wertman said. “I’ve had teams in the past that would get down 10-12 points and it snowballs to 20-25, and these guys just kept fighting and fighting.”

“On paper it said it was 10 points, but I think we definitely showed we’re a team that’s not going to let up,” Wilkins said. “We’re going to battle know matter what adversity we face. We’re getting ready to go against the best teams in the district and we’re ready for any challenge that comes in front of us.”

Wilkins is helping lead the way. On a team featuring many underclassmen, the three-year starter continues setting a tone with his versatile and relentless play in all facets. An excellent defender who often stuffs the stat sheet, Wilkins excelled at the HAC Tournament, making repeated clutch shots and scoring 34 points. One 12-second, second quarter sequence especially stood out. Wilkins made a 3-pointer, then knocked the ball loose on the other end, diving out of bounds to save the ball and force a turnover. Wilkins then hustled downcourt and sank another 3-pointer as Warrior Run rapidly cut a nine-point deficit to three.

Ethan Balzer (34) and Cooper Wilkins (14) of Warrior Run and Case Litchty (13) of Shamokin fight for a rebound at Shikellamy High School. Shamokin won 61-51. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Wilkins often does so many little things which are crucial to winning but might get overlooked by casual observers. One would have to be blind-folded, though, to not see how valuable Wilkins was at the HAC Tournament.

“He’s so driven and so focused. That’s all he wants to do is continue playing basketball,” Wertman said. “He’s been putting us on his back. I’m super happy for him.”

Wilkins and his teammates have brought Warrior Run so far these last three years. Now the mission is to keep going farther. It’s a challenge but the challenges are what has made the journey so rewarding.

“I love this game, and I’ve played it my whole life. My team works so hard. They put me in situations to score the basketball and I have to give a lot of credit to them,” Wilkins said. “I don’t have much time left, so I just want to go out and enjoy the last games I have.”

WARRIOR RUN (51)

Aiden McKee 2 2-2 6, Cooper Wilkins 5 3-4 18, Griff Harrington 0 0-0 0, James Keifer 3 0-0 8, Landon Polcyn 2 0-0 6, Jake Bruckhart 0 2-2 2, Gavin Gorton 3 0-0 7, Ethan Balzer 1 2-2 4. Totals 16 9-10 41.

SHAMOKIN (61)

Joey Hile 6 11-13 26, Chase Lichty 5 0-0 13, Jenssyn Shuey 3 2-2 10, Xzavier Baker 0 1-3 1, Rylan Price 4 0-1 9, Collin Steinhart 1 0-0 2. Totals 19 14-19 61.

Warrior Run 13 11 9 18–51

Shamokin 13 15 17 16–61

3-pointers: Warrior Run 10 (Wilkins 5, Keifer 2, Polcyn 2, Gorton); Shamokin 9 (Hile 3, Litchty 3, Shuey 2. Price).

Records: Shamokin 21-3. Warrior Run 18-6.