Guard Haley Noblit keeping Greencastle-Antrim on the move

By Eric Eppler on 2/1/24

 

 

Mike Rhine couldn’t blame the opposition for the defensive scheme.

 

Slowing down Greencastle-Antrim guard Haley Noblit has been a problem for the last four years. And, on this particular night, West Perry was doing a blue-collar job defending the 5-foot-3 standout through the opening quarter.

 

The Blue Devils’ head coach knew the shift was coming.

 

“A season ago, she would have been frustrated on how they were guarding her, but we’ve seen it so many times,” said Rhine last week. “I’m not taking her out, you know. She is going to get her shots. She’s been a really good player for four years. She gets better every season, and smarter.”

 

Noblit would soon start a 17-0 G-A rush to close the opening half and finished her session in Elliottsburg with 17 points and 14 rebounds. The Blue Devils eventually banked a 52-32 victory, a familiar outcome with No. 1 on the court.

 

“She’s a killer. I wouldn’t trade her because she’s such a good kid,” Rhine said.

 

Noblit’s future at the next level may reside on the soccer pitch – she’s signed to play at Liberty University – but that competitive fire is pacing another successful Blue Devils’ season on the hardwood.

 

And it’s already been a sensational year.

 

The All-State soccer player hit 200 career points in September and then recorded her 100th career goal roughly a month later.

 

Last month, Noblit posted a basketball milestone, joining the 1,000-point club during G-A’s run at the York Suburban Holiday Tournament. She’s continued to provide a spark, and that senior leadership, at every turn.

 

“There is some pressure. I might have to get a little more aggressive at times, maybe attack more,” said Noblit.

 

“Maybe attack more, drive to the hoop and score or find a teammate for an open shot. We have good shooters, so it doesn’t matter how they guard me.”

 

 

Noblit is among the Mid-Penn leaders in scoring average (16.6) and has contributed 91 rebounds, 66 assists and 52 steals for G-A (13-5), one a current five-game winning streak.

 

Fellow senior Ainsley Swindell, junior Meadow Gambacurta and underclassmen Kylie Kerns and Eva Martin have been vital to the team’s success, as well.

 

The Devils’ current power rating has them seventh in the District 3 5A bracket.

 

“We want to go as far as possible,” Noblit said.

 

“I think we can be a little more patient on offense, and that goes for me too. We could swing it a little better and try to get a better shot than we do sometimes.”