Bob StolerThe Greencastle-Antrim girls' basketball team celebrates following a 57-52 victory over Conrad Weiser to win the District 3-AAA championship on Feb. 28 at Hershey's Giant Center. It was the program's first-ever district title and the Blue Devils went on the finish the 2014-15 season with a record of 25-4.

By Ben Destefan

GREENCASTLE — It’s been quite the two-year run for Greencastle-Antrim girls’ basketball.

Coming off a 22-3 campaign in 2013-14, G-A again raised the bar this winter, notching several history-making moments during the program’s finest season to date.

The Blue Devils finished 25-4 overall, exceeding last year’s previous school record in wins. They won a second consecutive Mid-Penn Colonial Division title, going 12-0 in the league, hoisted the District 3-AAA championship trophy inside Hershey’s Giant Center and advanced to the state’s version of the Sweet 16.

It was a journey that validated G-A’s rise to prominence, now officially recognized as an accomplished contender across the girls’ basketball landscape.

“I’m not quite sure the girls understand what type of accomplishment this season was yet,” said head coach Mike Rhine, who started transforming the culture upon his arrival in 2011. “They’re so used to success, it’s almost second nature to them. It all just happened so fast and it really was an unbelievable run. We’re sad it’s over, but it was meant to be this way. I still couldn’t be more pleased.”

Entering the Class AAA tournament as the fourth seed, G-A’s defining stretch came in the district playoffs, easily defeating East Pennsboro in the opener before punching its first-ever ticket to the PIAA dance with a quarterfinal victory over Lancaster Catholic, who beat the Blue Devils in the same round a year prior.

Paired against top-seeded — and unbeaten — West York in the semifinals, G-A registered its signature performance of the season at the Giant Center, upsetting the Bulldogs 42-40 to move one win away from the district crown.

Returning to the Giant Center, the Blue Devils controlled the title game throughout, holding off a late charge by Conrad Weiser to celebrate an incredible ride to the Class AAA championship.

Carrying the momentum into the state tournament, G-A cruised to a 55-33 triumph in the first round over Philadelphia’s Audenride Charter before falling short to Berks Catholic in the Round of 16, ultimately ending a season that transcended a program.

“There are coaches that have been coaching for 20 years that never played for a district championship or in the state tournament,” Rhine said. “Kids go out and work as hard as they can and they never get there. It’s not easy, and this group got there. That’s a pretty special deal.”

Looking ahead, the success should only continue. Especially considering the talent projected to return.

Only a sophomore, Jenay Faulkner led the team in scoring for a second straight year, averaging 17.1 points per game. Her emergence as an all-around star was on display night in and night out, splashing 75 3-pointers while pushing her career point total to 833.

“Jenay is one of the best players in the state,” Rhine said. “We know her game is only going to improve because she dedicates so much time to it. She makes everyone around her better and the last thing we’re worried about is how Jenay will look next year.”

Junior Hannah Crist, who joined Faulkner as a Colonial Division first team selection, also averaged double figures with 11.7 PPG, showcasing tremendous control of the offense from the point. Now three years into her varsity career, Crist has accumulated 791 points, also positioning her to eclipse the 1,000-point benchmark next winter.

“Hannah can just really play the game,” Rhine acknowledged. “She’ll attack against bigger kids in the post all night long, shoot the 3 or hit a jumper. She’s our best ball handler, but she’s just as good without it in her hands. Having both Hannah and Jenay back, a lot of coaches would love to be in that situation.”

Stepping into a starting role, Meghan Hirneisen proved up to the task, contributing 115 points while acting as a lockdown defender on a routine basis. Also a junior, Hirneisen will give G-A a stout trio of returning starters, keeping the winning mentality intact.

“We don’t get to where we were without Meghan,” Rhine said. “Her rebounding improved so much and her help-side defense was fantastic. Having her back is huge to what we’re trying to do.”

Seniors Katie Gelsinger and Jane Herman were fixtures throughout the Blue Devils’ climb from an 11-11 campaign just two seasons ago, serving as a leadership duo on and off the court.

Gelsinger gave G-A a physical presence inside, averaging 9.1 PPG while grabbing a total of 251 rebounds, with Herman serving as a dangerous long-range threat, netting 8.4 PPG including 48 3’s.

“Katie did a little bit of everything,” Rhine said. “She is just such a determined person that is super tough. She was a great teammate as well that all the girls really loved to be around.

Jane would run all day long, shoot 3’s and defend anybody. Just through hard work, she probably improved more than any player since I’ve been here. Both her and Katie are really going to be missed.”

Additionally, fellow seniors Hannah Zimmerman and Shelby Stouffer provided energetic sparks off the bench, both having shining moments, respectively.

“They’re just winners, every single one of them,” Rhine said. “They’re winners in sports and winners in life. I’m just privileged to be their coach.”