Originally written December 24, 2003, for Jeric’s Lackawanna Sports
By Jeric Yurkanin
North Pocono entered Tuesday night’s game as one of the best girls basketball teams in the area.
The Lady Trojans left Lakeland still undefeated—but only after the Lady Chiefs forced them to earn every point of a 41–35 victory.
The records may have told one story.
North Pocono was 8–0. Lakeland fell to 7–3.
But the game told another.
The difference between the two teams wasn’t nearly as large as those records might suggest.
Throughout the night, North Pocono and Lakeland traded baskets, rebounds and momentum. Neither team could pull away during a physical first half, and the scoreboard remained tied at 20 when both teams entered their locker rooms.
North Pocono knew it needed to make an adjustment.
“We knew we just needed to pick it up a little and play together,” North Pocono’s Emily Lynch said. “In the second half, we came out and started over.”
Lynch helped the Lady Trojans begin that second half quickly.
She grabbed a rebound and immediately put the ball back through the basket, giving North Pocono the early advantage.
“Tonight, I started off a little rough, but my team’s effort kept me in the game,” Lynch said.
She eventually found her rhythm, finishing with 13 points and helping North Pocono survive its toughest challenge of the young season.
Lakeland refused to disappear.
The Lady Chiefs stayed within striking distance throughout the second half. With 2:08 remaining in the fourth quarter, North Pocono’s lead was only two points:
North Pocono 37, Lakeland 35.
The Lady Chiefs needed the basketball back.
That meant they needed to stop the clock.
Lakeland fouled three times during the closing minutes, hoping North Pocono would miss its free throws and give the Chiefs one final opportunity.
The Lady Trojans didn’t cooperate.
North Pocono took advantage of Lakeland’s situation, scoring six points from the foul line during the final three minutes—including four points after the clock reached 2:08.
What had been a two-point game became a six-point victory.
“Toward the end of the game, we had to foul,” Lakeland’s Brittany Kraky said. “We got into a situation where we had to stop the clock, so that’s what hurt us.”
Her sister, Kellen Kraky, led the Lady Chiefs with 13 points.
No team wants to reach the closing minutes knowing it must foul. But when you’re trailing and the clock is disappearing, there are no other choices. Lakeland had to gamble.
North Pocono made the Chiefs pay for it.
Still, Lakeland’s performance shouldn’t be remembered only for the final two minutes.
The Lady Chiefs showed determination against an undefeated, physical and well-coached North Pocono team. They didn’t back down. They didn’t look intimidated. They battled the Lady Trojans from the opening possession until the final buzzer.
That may explain why Lakeland coach Joseph Smith didn’t appear angry or frustrated afterward.
He smiled while discussing his team’s mistakes because he understood what his players had just proven.
“I always tell my team that they can play with anyone,” Smith said. “North Pocono is a great team. Now the girls from Lakeland know they can compete with anyone.
“They played hard against Bishop Hannan, Carbondale and now North Pocono. None of those games were easy walks for any of those teams.”
A coach never enjoys losing.
But after watching his players compete against one of the area’s best teams, Smith understood there was nothing to be ashamed of.
The Lady Chiefs played with everything they had—from their toes to the top of their heads. They gave Smith the type of effort every coach asks for before a game.
“They played hard throughout the entire game,” Smith said with a smile. “I think they were getting tired at the end, but that happens. I’m very proud of them.”
North Pocono walked out of the gym with its perfect 8–0 record still intact.
Lakeland walked out with another loss beside its name.
But the scoreboard didn’t tell the entire story.
The Lady Chiefs left knowing they could compete with North Pocono, Bishop Hannan, Carbondale or anyone else placed in front of them.
They worked together.
They fought together.
They played like a team—and, perhaps more importantly, like a family.
North Pocono remained undefeated.
Lakeland earned respect.
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