Originally published January 23, 2004, for Jeric’s Lackawanna Sports
By Jeric Yurkanin
Dunmore– Penn State Worthington Scranton entered Friday night’s game against Penn State Hazleton with one victory, two losses, two canceled games—and only five players.
There would be no substitutions, no rest and no room for another injury.
Their only victory came against Penn College on November 24. The final score? 43–42. With 50 seconds remaining, Tiffany Klikus grabbed a rebound and made the shot that gave Worthington Scranton a one-point victory.
But the season had already begun slipping away.
On November 21, Yolanda Davis injured her knee during the first quarter against Central Penn. Worthington Scranton lost the game, 52–40—and also lost another player.
The following week, the team reached out to Felicia James, who had played the previous season. She agreed to return and helped give Worthington Scranton enough players to defeat Penn College. However, following the December 1 game against Penn State Berks, James had to leave the team because she was transferring to another college.
Once again, Worthington Scranton had only four players.
Nine days later, another game was canceled. Thirty-three days after that, nothing had changed—four players and no game.
The team’s season was running out of time.
Then, on January 14, Cari Mancini noticed Kim Jeryga shooting baskets inside the gym. Mancini walked over and asked if she would consider joining the team.
At first, Jeryga wasn’t interested.
A few minutes later, Coach Gina Gray approached her and explained the situation: Worthington Scranton desperately needed one more player to continue its season.
It didn’t take long for Jeryga to change her mind.
“It was a good opportunity for me to get back on the court,” Jeryga said.
For the Lady Lions, her decision meant everything.
“We were thrilled when Kim said she would play for us because we hadn’t played a game in six weeks,” Gray said with a smile. “We were just thankful that we had five players. Otherwise, we would have had to cancel another game.”
Amanda Lavin felt the same relief.
“I was really excited when I found out we had another player because we were finally going to get to play,” Lavin said. “We had all been working so hard and wanted to play so badly. I was really excited when we finally found someone.”
Jeryga attended her first practice Thursday afternoon. She learned the team’s basic offensive plays, worked on her dribbling and shooting, and studied its defensive schemes.
Although she had not played organized basketball in several years, Jeryga stayed in shape by working out and running on a treadmill.
“Kim was already athletically inclined,” Gray said. “She had a basic knowledge of the game, which helped. She hadn’t played in several years, but she still knew the skills.”
Two days after joining the team, Jeryga was preparing to play against Penn State Hazleton.
One hour before tipoff, the five Worthington Scranton players briskly trotted onto the court as “Eye of the Tiger” echoed throughout the gym.
Then it was game time.
Worthington Scranton took an early 14–10 lead. Penn State Hazleton answered by scoring 13 points and moving ahead, 23–16.
But Worthington Scranton refused to let the game get away.
With four minutes remaining in the opening half, the Lady Lions began fighting their way back. By halftime, the game was tied at 27.
Hazleton opened the second half by attacking quickly and building a 38–30 advantage. Its defensive pressure forced Worthington Scranton into making passes it wasn’t comfortable throwing.
Hazleton could rotate fresh players into the game.
Worthington Scranton couldn’t.
Every player who stepped onto the court at the opening tip knew she would probably have to remain there for all 40 minutes.
During one frightening play, Kristen Schmidt jumped for the basketball and crashed to the floor, landing on her back and striking her head. It happened twice during the game.
Schmidt was hurting and experiencing headaches, but she continued playing. Despite the pain and exhaustion, she scored a game-high 23 points.
“I think Kristen really held it together,” Mancini said. “She played her heart out. She did everything she could.”
Schmidt wasn’t the only injured player. Mancini’s leg was hurting, and Klikus was also playing through pain.
Still, nobody gave up.
“During the game, Cari’s leg was hurting, and Tiffany was in pain,” Schmidt said. “My team hung in there because we were determined to win.”
Vince Lombardi once described a competitor’s finest hour as the moment when someone gives everything to a worthy cause and leaves the field exhausted.
On Friday night, five Worthington Scranton players understood that feeling.
Hazleton continued sending different players into the game. Worthington Scranton’s five remained on the floor.
“They know they have to play because we only have five players,” Gray said. “I can’t substitute anyone or even give them a rest.”
No substitutions. No rest. Less energy.
Yet, as the second half wore on and their bodies began to hurt, the Lady Lions remained focused. They continued scoring, blocking shots, stealing passes and sprinting down the court.
“We’ve had a rough season,” Mancini said. “We only have five girls. Whoever we’re up against, we have to stick together and do what we can.”
Penn State Hazleton eventually earned a 64–57 victory, but the scoreboard did not tell the entire story.
Worthington Scranton could have surrendered to the exhaustion. Its players could have allowed the injuries, canceled games and lack of teammates to end their season.
Instead, they made something happen.
“I have to give my team all the credit in the world,” Gray said. “If I were hurting as badly as Cari and Kristen were, I don’t think I could have pushed myself for 40 minutes as hard as they did. They are very dedicated.”
Long after the game ended and everyone had left the gym, the scoreboard still displayed the final score:
GUEST 64
HOME 57
Eventually, those numbers would be erased and the scoreboard would be reset to zero for the next game.
But the heart, determination and pain those five players left on the court could not be erased.
Officially, another loss was placed in the record book.
But five players had started the game. Five players remained at the final buzzer.
And not one of them quit.
Leave a Reply