Those qualities being passed along have formed a strong foundation and a new look Jersey Shore team resembles the former squad. The results, and how the Bulldogs play drives that home.

Relentlessly competing and excelling late, Jersey Shore continued its strong season Monday at Montoursville, rallying from an early nine-point deficit and winning, 40-32. Freshman Marlee Lehman (15 points, 9 rebounds) finished a rebound from a double-double, senior Avery DePasqua made three clutch shots down the stretch and every player did her part as the Bulldogs (8-5) won for the fourth time in five games, while remaining second in the District 4 Class AAAA standings.

“It definitely feels good because it’s kind of hard when you lose four starters and basically have a whole new lineup but it’s working out good,” DePasqua said after scoring 10 points, grabbing seven rebounds and making three steals. “We all work together great and we’re getting better and better as each game goes.”

That showed against Montoursville. Jersey Shore never flinched, not when it fell behind 12-3 late in the first quarter and not when the Warriors cut a six-point deficit to one in the fourth quarter’s final three minutes. The Bulldogs flew around defensively, attacked the boards and displayed excellent chemistry.

RALPH WILSON/For the Express Jersey Shore's Avery Depasqua and Gracelyn Frantz try to keep a rebound out of the hands of Montoursville's Dahlia Campbell (22) during a high school girls basketball game at Montoursville on Monday. Shore won 40-32.

Montoursville (5-9) made things hard on Jersey Shore, but these players embrace the hard, whether in the offseason or at practices. Doing so has both the present and future looking exciting.

“The groups before them have motivated the entire community. These kids play hard and work hard and that’s because of what has been in front of them the last four years,” Jersey Shore coach Mike Schall said. “It’s not just about basketball; it’s about giving these kids a chance to be together, learn together and compete together. We do it in a basketball way but that’s what is important and exciting. That is what gets us fired up.”

Even when the offense hit some cold spells, Jersey Shore players continued bringing the smoke, forcing 24 turnovers and having four players, including Gracelyn Frantz, pull down at least seven rebounds. The Bulldogs turned things around after a slow start in the second quarter, built a 19-18 halftime lead and trailed just once more, early in the third quarter.

Lehman, DePasqua, Kylie Schall and Sadie Schall went 6 for 8 at the foul line in the final 2 minutes, 16 seconds and not allow another field goal after Marleigh Bainbridge’s jumper pulled Montoursville within 32-31 at the 2:50 mark.

“It is a good feeling because we all trust each other. We all know we can score and do a lot of good things,” DePasqua said. “The close games we’ve had have made us better and better because it’s showing us what we can do under pressure. We know how to get everything figured out.”

RALPH WILSON/For the Express Jersey Shore's Avery Depasqua (10) and Marley Lehman (11) try to keep a rebound out of a pair Montoursville players during a high school girls basketball game at Montoursville on Monday. Shore won 40-32.

DePasqua and Sadie Schall (7 points, 6 rebounds) helped Jersey Shore figure out Montoursville’s full-court press and combined for one of the game’s biggest baskets. Schall drew two defenders toward her and whipped a pass toward a cutting DePasqua who converted a layup which made it, 35-31 with 1:55 left. Schall and DePasqua went 4 for 4 at the line in the last 68 seconds with Kylie Schall adding another as Jersey Shore sealed its latest hard-fought win.

DePasqua is the lone returning starter from last year’s HAC-I co-champion and one of only two seniors one the roster. She and Leena Loomis (4 rebounds) are leading verbally and through actions and that provides another critical piece to the winning puzzle.

“We’ve talked to Avery for six years about the leadership qualities that are in her,” Mike Schall said. “Everyone leads different but I think she’s seen that manifest itself. She’s led in a very solid way.”

“I definitely have tried to become more of a leader this year. It definitely plays an important role in how we play,” DePasqua said. “I think everybody can be a leader on the team and I think everybody is stepping up to be leaders.”

Lehman led the comeback effort, doing so with a believe it or not shot. Montoursville led 12-3 in the closing seconds of the first quarter when Lehman (4 steals) made a beyond half-court shot. That improbable sequence provided a bolt of energy, and the Bulldogs went on a 10-0 run to take the lead, holding it for all but less than a minute of game time from there.

RALPH WILSON/For the Express Jersey Shore's Sadie Schall (14) reaches for a rebound around Montoursville's Dahlia Campbell (22) during a high school girls basketball game at Montoursville on Monday. Shore won 40-32.

“We have to be gritty; we have to find a way. Tonight, we had to find a way,” Mike Schall said. “We’re building skill and basketball IQ all the time but most importantly, most of the time they play hard.”

So does Montoursville which kept fighting back throughout the second half but which could not get over the hump. An Emily George 3-pointer made it a three-point game, a Kayleigh Sheleman inside move a two-point contest and Bainbridge’s long jumper a one-point game, but Jersey Shore responded and held Montoursville off.

The Warriors already have exceeded last year’s win total and showed they can be dangerous if they reach the playoffs. In three of its most recent losses, Montoursville has either lost by one and/or been down one with less than three minutes remaining. The Warriors certainly have made progress and are focused on trying to make a strong finishing kick now.

“They fight back. They’re in it until the end and as a coach, that’s all I can ask,” Montoursville coach Travis Heap said. “They’re not looking at the wins and losses; they’re just looking to get better. They can see the strides that they’re making. We’re going in the right direction.”

Making that more impressive is Montoursville playing without injured starters Reagan Tucker and Trinity Belle. Sophomores Marissa Sweeley and Dahlia Campbell took advantage of their increased roles, and both made big impacts Monday. Sweeley grabbed 12 rebounds and made three steals, while Campbell pulled down 14 boards.

RALPH WILSON/For the ExpressMontoursville's Marissa Sweeley and Jersey Shore's Kylie Schall struggle for possession of a loose ball during a high school girls basketball game at Montoursville on Monday. Shore won 40-32.

Campbell scored four straight points late in the first quarter, giving Montoursville a 12-3 lead. George scored five quick points early in the third and put the Warriors ahead, 21-19, but Lehman made an excellent pass after two defenders converged and found DePasqua inside, putting Jersey Shore ahead to stay on the ensuing possession. Two Frantz free throws capped an 11-3 run and the Bulldogs led by six entering the fourth.

George made three steals and Sheleman scored 10 points with five rebounds. Bainbridge drained two first quarter 3-pointers, helping Montoursville start strong.

“There’s a lot of positivity to take from this game, but this whole season has been a positive,” Heap said. “From where they were at the end of last season to where we are now is where you want to be going. If we put a couple wins together and get in the playoffs we could make something happen.”

JERSEY SHORE (40)

Marlee Lehman 5 3-5 15, Kylie Schall 0 1-2 1, Sadie Schall 2 3-4 7, Avery DePasqua 3 3-4 10, Gracelyn Frantz 1 4-6 6, Leena Loomis 0 1-2 1, Azelyn Dincher 0 0-0 0, Elizabeth Hollick 0 0-0 0. Totals 11 15-23 40.

RALPH WILSON/For the Express Montoursville's Kayleigh Sheleman (42) looks for a shot during a high school girls basketball game at Montoursville on Monday. Shore won 40-32.

MONTOURSVILLE (32)

Emily George 3 0-0 8, Kayleigh Sheleman 4 2-6 10, Marleigh Bainbridge 3 0-0 8, Marissa Sweeley 1 0-0 2, Dahlia Campbell 2 0-0 4, Sydney Kuntz 0 0-0 0, Elsa Kehrer 0 0-0 0. Totals 13 2-6 32.

Jersey Shore      6 13 11 10–40

Montoursville     12 6 6 8–32

3-pointers: Jersey Shore 3 (Lehman 2, DePasqua); Montoursville 4 (George 2, Bainbridge 2).

Records: Jersey Shore 8-5. Montoursville 5-9.

RALPH WILSON/For the Express Jersey Shore's Gracelyn Frantz (22) reaches to block a pass by Montoursville's Dahlia Campbell (22) during a high school girls basketball game at Montoursville on Monday. Shore won 40-32.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Jersey Shore's Sadie Schall and Montoursville's Dahlia Campbell try to gain control of a loose ball during a high school girls basketball game at Montoursville on Monday. Shore won 40-32.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montoursville's Kayleigh Sheleman (42) looks for room around Jersey Shore's Sadie Schall (14) during a high school girls basketball game at Montoursville on Monday. Shore won 40-32.

RALPH WILSON/For the Express Jersey Shore's Marley Lehman (11) shoots over the head of Montoursville's Dahlia Campbell (22) during a high school girls basketball game at Montoursville on Monday. Shore won 40-32.

RALPH WILSON/For the Express Montoursville's Kayleigh Sheleman attempts to steal the ball from Jersey Shore's Gracelyn Frantz during a high school girls basketball game at Montoursville on Monday. Shore won 40-32.

RALPH WILSON/For the Express Montoursville's Dahlia Campbell (22) Kayleigh Sheleman reach for a loose ball as and Jersey Shore's Gracelyn Frantz makes contact during a high school girls basketball game at Montoursville on Monday. Shore won 40-32.

RALPH WILSON/For the Express Jersey Shore's Marley Lehman (11) brings the ball downcourt during a high school girls basketball game at Montoursville on Monday. Shore won 40-32.

RALPH WILSON/For the Express Montoursville's Emily George (24) brings the ball past Jersey Shore's Avery Depasqua (10) during a high school girls basketball game at Montoursville on Monday. Shore won 40-32.