Royal Socks’ Adivastian will reach the rebound during a women’s basketball game against the Jersey Shore earlier this season. Dave Kennedy/Sun Gazette
PARKLAND – iMhotep began its fourth quarter push on Friday, moving through the basket to create single-digit games.
Then, just as she was shot from a cannon, Adi Bastian was shot towards the midcourt and played her life.
Bastian stole a pass, sprinted down the left sideline and found Cutting Jillian Kennedy for a layup, which pushed the lead to 13 and ignited a 12-point run. Games, sets, matches. Load the chocolate.
Bastian shined from the bench in the Class AAA state semi-finals on Friday, helping Royal Soc beat Imhotep, 65-46 to reach the first state championship. The Lancers (29-2) will play Shadyside for the title at Hershey’s Giants Center on Thursday.
“That’s amazing,” Bastian said. “It’s a newbie for Loyalsock and being on this team is great and it’s great to feel this.”
Bastian played the role of a monster in victory. In particular, Fantastic Point Guard Jekaira Harden was fighting foul trouble all night. Losing her could have been a catastrophic blow, as Harden has developed into one of the state’s best defenders and helps set the tone for the royal socks.
Instead, Bastian continued to build on the great performances he offered during the postseason, still playing the best game at perfect timing. Bashen picked up where Harden left off, Bastian was a defensive dynamo, with the Royal Socks limiting the explosive Panthers to 23 points in the final 18 minutes of the game.
The junior guard made two steels, handled two assists and grabbed two rebounds. Then there were plays that the statistics didn’t show, especially the swarming defenses she provided, and the wise decisions she made offensive. This was the perfect example of one great player who helped another player drop and help Bastian clutch performance become the first girl team in the area to reach the state championship for the first time in 25 years.
“She’s great. She really stepped up the last few games and really showed she can do it on the defense and offensive edge,” Alaina Dazzy Center said following a 31-point performance. “It’s really good because you get a starter with some foul trouble that someone needs to step up.”
“We were turning our backs on each other. Jaekiairah fouled out and people had to step up. “It’s amazing to know that my team can perform that way with me on the court. I’m ready to see what Hershey has to bring.”
Royal Socks knows what Bastian brings, and it’s non-stop energy. She was a classic blue-collar worker and advanced to court as the season progressed after excelling in practice. Bastian continues to improve, playing time increases in the postseason and has continued to have a major impact ever since.
The box score may not show that, but Bastian has repeatedly done all the little things that allow the team to win a big game. She acquired her opportunities in difficult ways, earned cash, and transformed them into prominent moments.
“Addy did great things. She played a big role,” Kennedy said after scoring eight points. “I think we’re all really proud of her. Getting out of the bench for the starter is really important and she did something amazing.”
“She’s a player you can trust because she’s committed to playing hard,” Royal Sock coach Curtis Jacobson said. “She’s not taking off her play. She does an amazing job of understanding her role.”
That trust shined when Bastian played her game-changing fourth quarter. Jacobson backed up to Bastian and advised him to stuff things more into the paint. But for a long time he has given athletes the freedom to become an athlete and trust their instincts.
Bastian did so here and read the play in full before sprinting forward like Prime Dion Sanders. She intercepted the pass and raised her head to find Kennedy. Bastian then turned around and repeated her burglars. The Hustling Guards stole another, and this led to Lacey Clevele bounce as Royal Socks began to turn the final three minutes into a cor crown, while becoming Eastern Pennsylvania’s best 3A team.
Great Hustle has come with great plays and a historic victory.
“I’m going to go back to the movie and play it,” Bastian said. “You can watch it over and over again.”
“She plays so hard,” Jacobson said. “There’s nothing enough to say about Adi Bastian.”
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