Schuylkill Haven poses with the Schuylkill League championship trophy after defeating North Schuylkill 38-31 in Friday's league title game at Martz Hall (Photo by Leroy Boyer).

POTTSVILLE — As Mckenna Runkle was being interviewed following a December victory in her home CACL Center gymnasium, the two stars from Schuylkill Haven’s 1985 PIAA state championship team stood on the balcony above, watching the interview.

When it was over, those two stars, Cheryl Pishock and Tracy Herb, gave the Schuylkill Haven sophomore a rousing ovation.

There was something symbolic about the exchange, almost a passing of the torch from Haven’s past to the present.

Friday at Martz Hall, Runkle and the current Hurricanes wrote their own championship chapter, claiming the first Schuylkill League girls’ basketball title in school history with a 38-31 victory over North Schuylkill.

Runkle led the way, collecting 12 points, pulling down 11 rebounds and dishing out five assists as Schuylkill Haven (20-5) forced 23 North Schuylkill turnovers in leading the game from start to finish.

“It feels amazing to know that this is the first time in school history and I was able to do it with the best teammates I could ask for,” Runkle said. “It’s so amazing having the support from (the 1985 champs) and then carrying it on and doing what they couldn’t do.”

Kylie Siket got Schuylkill Haven started with a 3-pointer from the top of the key 32 seconds into the contest, then hit two more in a game-opening, 11-2 run.

The Hurricanes were able to get the open looks they wanted early and it gave them a lead they would never relinquish.

“I was just shooting them and they were going in,” said Siket, who scored all nine of her points in the first quarter. “Just the momentum kept us going from there.”

Added Schuylkill Haven coach Tony Sanders: “That was huge for us. She did that all throughout these playoffs. She’s hitting her stride at the right time.”

North Schuylkill (18-6), looking to win an 18^th league crown and their fourth in six years, made a couple of runs at Haven’s lead, but each time the Spartans got within one or two possessions, the Hurricanes answered.

The Spartans sliced Haven’s early lead to 11-10 on a Gianna Capone 3-pointer to open the second quarter and was within 28-24 after a Capone jumper with 7:04 left in the game.

On both occasions, it was Runkle who delivered for Schuylkill Haven.

Her driving layup in the second quarter ended a 5-minute, 21-second scoring drought and sparked a 12-2 run that stretched the margin to 23-12. A 3-pointer by Alea Porter at the halftime buzzer gave Haven a 26-16 lead at intermission.

Haven then went without a point for the final 7:35 of the third quarter, a frame that resembled a rugby match and saw the teams combine to shoot 2-for-24 from the field.

Runkle ended that scoring drought with a driving layup off a steal by Audrey Hutchinson. When Anna Schaeffer converted a 3-point play on a drive to the basket, Schuylkill Haven led 35-24 with 4:04 left.

North Schuylkill got no closer than the final margin.

“In numerous timeouts, our coaches were like ‘Go to the basket, drive to the basket,” Runkle said. “You’ll get fouled, if not just go up strong. I knew I could do it.”

Schuylkill Haven’s aggressive defense gave North Schuylkill fits all night. The Spartans committed 23 turnovers and shot just 10-for-51 from the field.

Mya Conti led the Spartans with 11 points before fouling out, while Jadelin Stitzer pulled down 16 rebounds.

“They played harder than we did, they wanted to win more than we did and they won,” North Schuylkill coach Rich Wetzel said. “We turned the ball over too much.

“I told the girls that if we hold them under 40, we should probably win. They had 38, but we got stuck at 31. They played hard than we did, they were tougher than we were and they beat us. And they deserved to beat us.”

Schuylkill Haven’s defense was a big reason for North Schuylkill’s offensive woes as the Hurricanes pressured the Spartans’ guards and made things difficult on shot attempts.

The 31 points was a season-low for North Schuylkill.

“All of us, we need to buy in, do what we’re asked and it always ends up in our favor when we play the defense we know how to play,” Siket said.

Added Runkle: “We know that defense turns into offense for us. Shout out to (Hutchinson), all those steals are crazy.”

As the final seconds ticked off the clock, the Hurricanes began to celebrate, ending in a group hug across from their bench.

It was a celebration that no doubt made the state champs proud.

Game Summary

Schuylkill League Girls’ Championship

At Martz Hall

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN (38) —- Hutchinson 0 2-4 2, Siket 3 0-0 9, Schaeffer 2 1-1 5, Runkle 5 2-7 12, Porter 2 1-1 6, Terefencko 2 0-0 4, Ulsh 0 0-0 0. Totals 14 6-13 38.

NORTH SCHUYLKILL (31) —- Conti 5 1-2 11, Monahan 0 0-0 0, Capone 2 4-4 9, Ja. Stitzer 1 3-10 5, Kane 1 0-0 3, Selgrade 0 1-2 1, Balicki 1 0-0 2. Totals 10 9-18 31.

SH (20-5)                11 … 15 … 2 … 10 — 38

NS (18-6)                7 … 9 … 6 … 9 — 31

3-point FGs: Siket 3, Porter, Capone, Kane

Officials: Wood, Scheeler, Gerchak