Still, it might be better to do so by looking at how aspiring players throughout the community view the varsity players. They look at them as royalty. And what good role models they have embraced.

Hughesville produced one more relentless performance in a season filled with them Tuesday night at Pleasant Valley High School, but Imhotep closed the game with seven straight points and defeated it, 52-41 in the Class AAA state tournament’s second round. Alli Anstadt scored a game-high 18 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, but the Spartans were denied a second straight state quarterfinal appearance.

Still, Hughesville (23-5) reached the Sweet 16 for a second straight year. It won 23 games while navigating a demanding schedule and its 47 wins the past two years are the most by any squad in program history. The season ending stings Hughesville, but what a ride it was … again.

“Looking back, like they said in the locker room, Hughesville’s never done this, so that means a lot,” Anstadt said. “It’s fun to see that a lot of younger girls look up us the way they do now.”

Ava Snyder (3) of Hughesville and Calista Gaymon of Imhotep dive for a ball at Pleasant Valley High School. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

They do so with good reason.

Before last season, Hughesville had never won a district championship or a state tournament game. The Spartans checked both those off a year ago before coming back and winning 23 more games this season while wearing a target. They then came within a few shots and/or plays of reaching the state quarterfinals again.

Now, Hughesville has built a state-caliber program. It has three state playoff victories in two seasons and a strong foundation in place going forward. Credit a hard-working group of players and coaches who have raised the bar. Tuesday’s result does not diminish that fact either.

“I told them it’s one thing to make the run like we did last year, but to come back and make another run this year is incredible,” Hughesville coach Dustin King said. “Where they have set the standard for this program is really incredible.”

Anstadt and Ava Snyder played crucial roles in elevating the program and both played well in their final games. Anstadt produced an all-state caliber performance in what has been one of the best individual seasons in program history. Snyder set the early tone and scored six points, while making three steals.

Maddie Smith of Hughesville puts up a shot against Imhotep at Pleasant Valley High School. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Both were four-year starters who helped Hughesville reach districts every season. As impressive as the production both provided was the example they set. They even exceeded their own expectations.

“I never expected that we were going to do what we did,” Anstadt said. “If you would have told me my freshman year that we were going to go to state competition and make it past the first round I would have told you that you were crazy.”

“They’re fighters and they’re two good kids and they go 100 % all the time,” King said. “When you do that all the time, good things are going to happen.”

Hughesville continued to do good things against Imhotep (22-6). The Spartans traded blows with the District 12 champions throughout the first half and the lead changed hands 11 times, including eight times in the second quarter.

Imhotep led by four at halftime, but Anstadt scored inside to tie it 27-27 nearly midway through the third quarter. The Panthers regained the lead shortly thereafter and never trailed again. Still, Hughesville was within three points entering the fourth quarter and four late in the game before Imhotep sealed the game at the foul line.

Kendall Hamm of Hughesville puts up a shot late in the game against Imhotep at Pleasant Valley High School. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

It was never really about what Hughesville did wrong Tuesday. Imhotep simply made a few more plays, but the Panthers never dulled Hughesville’s determination, not broke its will.

“They never quit,” King said. “They played hard and there are plenty of times they could have given up in this game and they didn’t.”

Imhotep pushed the lead to nine midway through the fourth quarter, but Vivian Draper drilled a clutch 3-pointer and Kendall Hamm scored off an Anstadt assist to make it, 45-41 with 80 seconds remaining. Hughesville, however, did not score again but went down fighting with Snyder and Hamm combining for two steals and a block late.

Anstadt played one of her best games against the tallest front line Hughesville encountered this season. She was a force in the middle quarters, scoring 16 of her 18 points and went 9 of 15 from the field, doing all she could to will her team to victory.

“She was the best player on the court tonight,” King said.

Allison Anstadt of Hughesville pulls in a rebound against Imhotep at Pleasant Valley High School. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Anstadt scored eight second quarter points and Maddie Smith (8 points) five more in the second quarter as Imhotep and Hughesville took turns exchanging big plays and leads. Smith, who has topped 800 career points in her first two seasons, gave Hughesville its final lead, 21-20, when she hit two free throws with 3:47 remaining in the half.

Smith and five other strong players from an eight-player rotation return next season. So does an exciting group of players from the JV. Hughesville also has promising eighth grade players coming, so the cupboard will be far from bare.

The Spartans have elevated their program the past two seasons and made history. Now they look to keep elevating into the future.

“We told them in the locker room, ‘You’re one of the best teams in the state.’ That’s something to hang your hat on,” King said. “There are not many teams that can say that. Last year was the same way. To watch them battle the way they did was fantastic and hopefully this prepares them for next year.”

HUGHESVILLE (41)

Vivian Draper of Hughesville puts up a shot against Imhotep at Pleasant Valley High School. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Alli Anstadt 9 0-2 18, Maddie Smith 1 6-8 8, Ava Snyder 2 1-2 6, Vivian Draper 2 0-2 5, Kendall Hamm 1 0-0 2, Kylie Temple 1 0-0 2, Allyssa King 0 0-0 0, Anna Easton 0 0-0 0. Totals 16 7-14 41.

IMHOTEP (52)

Geren Hawthorne 5 6-9 16, Sabria Mann 2 0-2 5, Calista Gaymon 0 2-2 2, Anise Geiser 5 2-2 12, Kayla Thompson 1 0-0 2, Ashlee Boykin 1 1-5 3, McKenna Alston 3 0-0 7, Anai Kenyatta 2 0-0 5. Totals 19 11-20 52.

Hughesville 10 13 11 7–41

Imhotep 12 15 10 15–52

3-pointers: Hughesville 2 (Snyder, Draper); Imhotep 3 (Mann, Alston, Kenyatta).

Records: Imhotep 22-6. Hughesville 23-5.

Allison Anstadt of Hughesville puts up a shot against Imhotep at Pleasant Valley High School. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Ava Snyder of Hughesville passes around Crystal Hawthorne of Imhotep at Pleasant Valley High School. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Vivian Draper (left) of Hughesville and Anise Geiger (second from left) of Imhotep reach for a loose ball at Pleasant Valley High School. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Maddie Smith of Hughesville puts up a shot against Imhotep at Pleasant Valley High School. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Ava Snyder of Hughesville puts up a shot in the lane against Imhotep at Pleasant Valley High School. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Ava Snyder of Hughesville and Anise Geiger of Imhotep fight for a rebound at Pleasant Valley High School. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Hughesville head coach talks with his team during a time out against Imhotep at Pleasant Valley High School. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette