Trojans Suffer Title Heartbreak, Delaney Smeltz Leads Offensive Effort

MILLERSBURG — The Upper Dauphin Area Trojans (5-5) saw their tournament run come to a close Tuesday evening, falling 42–25 to Williams Valley in the WQLV Tournament championship game. While the result was not what the Trojans hoped for, the tournament served as a showcase for their resilience and the leadership of their junior core.

Championship Recap: A Defensive Grind

The title game was a story of two halves. The Trojans kept pace early, trailing by just two points (10–8) after the first quarter. However, a cold offensive stretch in the middle periods—where UDA was held to a combined 5 points—allowed the Vikings to pull away.

Despite the scoring drought, the Trojans never stopped battling on the defensive end. A late 12-point surge in the fourth quarter showed the team's "no-quit" attitude, though the early deficit proved too large to overcome.

Upper Dauphin Individual Championship Stats:

• Delaney Smeltz: 10 points (including two 3-pointers)

• Alana Bingaman: 6 points (two 3-pointers)

• Paige Williams: 5 points (one 3-pointer)

• Kate Rothermel: 2 points

• Teyanna Bousman: 2 points

Smeltz Shines Throughout the Tournament

Junior guard Delaney Smeltz was the focal point of the Trojans' offense throughout the two-day event. Smeltz used her length and shooting range to pace UDA in both games:

1. Semifinal vs. Tri-Valley: She notched a team-high 14 points, sparking the 44–26 victory.

2. Final vs. Williams Valley: She again led the team with 10 points, accounting for 40% of the Trojans' scoring in the championship.

Smeltz continues to be a consistent threat for the Trojans this season, currently averaging 7.9 points per game.

Looking Ahead

The Trojans move forward with a balanced 5–5 record. Their 2–2 conference standing keeps them squarely in the hunt within the Tri-Valley Conference, The experience gained in the WQLV finals will be vital as the Trojans prepare for their next conference matchup against Saint Joseph's Catholic Academy on January 3.