ORWIGSBURG — It was a night to remember for Williams Valley’s Sage Smeltz.

The senior center recorded her 1,000th career point as Williams Valley took down Lincoln Leadership Academy 65-15 to advance to the District 11 Girls 2A championship game. Smeltz scored a game-high 28 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in the win.

Smeltz joined the history books as she scored point number 20 with 20 seconds left in the second frame on a layup, as Williams Valley fans rose to their feet and Smeltz was hugged by coaches and teammates with a smile on her face.

 

Williams Valley’s Sage Smeltz (33) scored her 1,000 point during a semifinal game at Blue Mountain High School Tuesday evening February 26, 2025. Johnathan B. Paroby / contributing photographer

“I don’t even know how to explain it,” said Smeltz.  It was awesome, it was everything I could have hoped for. All my teammates with all the assists and help. It’s just great for all of us.”

“She means everything to our program,” said Williams Valley head coach Shane Zellers. “I started coaching her when she was in seventh grade ,a lot of work and a lot of time in the gym to continue to get better. To see what she accomplished in four years it’s incredible.”

Williams Valley (21-2)  got out to a 13-1 lead as Smeltz scored a bucket down low with 1:20 remaining in the first frame.

Smeltz scored eight points in the frame. The Lady Vikings led 19-1 at the end of one as senior guard Mallory Miller swished a triple.

“We passed the ball well and our defense was locked down,” said Smeltz.

Williams Valley came out in the second frame hot, increasing the lead to 26-3 as Miller connected on another triple.

The Lady Vikings zone was effective all night holding Lincoln Leadership Academy to just five points through two quarters.

“We kept them off balance,” said Zellers. “We were able to put more pressure on them than we had before, our zone has been good all year. We made it difficult for them to swing the ball and get the ball in the middle.”

Smeltz hit a layup and junior guard Ireland Kasper hit a triple to give Williams Valley a 31-3 lead with 2:58 remaining in the second quarter.

The Lady Vikings closed the quarter out on a 9-2 run to take a 40-5 lead at the break, with Smeltz leading the way scoring 12 points in the quarter.

“My teammates have led to my success,” said Smeltz. “We just want to be the best and it has really shown.”

Williams Valley didn’t cool down in the second half. The Lady Vikings increased their lead to 51-6, midway through the third quarter.

“We communicated really well,” said Smeltz. “We did everything that we practiced tonight.”

Smeltz added a bucket late in the frame to put Williams Valley up 55-10 entering the fourth quarter.

Lincoln Leadership (13-7) Academy’s Chloe Henegan connected on a triple, to cut Williams Valley’s lead to 57-13.

Williams Valley responded ending the game on a 8-2 run, to earn a spot in the 2A title game where they will face Marian Catholic. Both teams split the season series in the regular season.

“It has taken us so long to get here,” said Smeltz. “We just want to win.”

Smeltz will never forget this night and Zellers is happy he has been a part of the journey.

“Great girl, great parents she is a great role model,” said Zellers. “I am very fortunate I have gotten to play a small part in her success.”