Picture a championship heavyweight fighter. The best throughout history would regularly try and knock out their opponent early in a fight.

The North Schuylkill girls basketball team - a perennial championship contender in both the Schuylkill League and District 11 - has applied that same thought process to its game plans during its recent title runs

The Spartans full-court aggressive pressure consistently shell shocks the opposition.

That trend continued on Friday night against Lehighton.

North Schuylkill was able to turn the Indians over early and often to jump out to a commanding first quarter lead that resulted in a 63-27 Schuylkill League Division 1 victory.

The Spartans forced nine first quarter turnovers - four within the first two minutes - which helped them get out to an 11-0 advantage.

“Ninety-feet is how we play. We have to create pressure. We’re not the tallest team, but we’re very quick, so we’re able to create pressure and a lot of the time our girls can put the ball in the hole,” said North Schuylkill head coach Rich Wetzel. “We can usually cover a lot of ground. That the way we play the game. We like to get after it and pressure.”

North Schuylkill held a commanding 24-2 lead after one quarter as it showcased the ability to pressure that Wetzel talked about.

The Spartans (10-1) kept the pressure on in the second quarter as well, extending their lead to 37-2 after a 13-0 run to the start the frame. Maddy Wetzel (12) and Katelyn Himes (11) led the dominant first half effort, combining for 23 of North Schuylkill’s 44 points. Himes did most of her damage from beyond the arc, hitting three triples in the first half.

The Spartans held a 44-8 lead at intermission as they forced eight more Lehighton (4-5) turnovers in the second quarter.

“They play with such speed and aggression,” said Lehighton head coach Joe Berezwick. “Their mission is to take you out early, and they were able to do that to us tonight.

“They got to us early and took us out of it early. You can see why their record is what it is. That’s a really good, tough basketball team.”

Lehighton was able to get to the double-digit mark early in the third on a Hailey Miller bucket and the Indians actually battled North Schuylkill even in the second half - albeit with reserves in from both sides and with the mercy rule in effect the entire half.

“Defensively, we continued to do a good job tonight. Usually, our full court pressure carries over to the half court where we like to pressure and trap as well,” said Wetzel. “I have to give credit to our kids. The way we play requires a lot of effort and they play hard for us each and every night.”

TOP SCORERS ... Wetzel led the way for North Schuylkill with 14 points. For Lehighton, Aaliyah Fisher scored 12.

DIVISION BATTLE ... With the win, the Spartans stay neck and neck with Jim Thorpe in the Schuylkill League Division 1 race. Both teams are undefeated in league play. They will meet on Tuesday at North Schuylkill in the first of what could be several battles between the teams this season.

NORTH SCHUYLKILL

Burke 3-2-3-8, Himes 4-0-0-11, Conti 2-0-0-5, Gawrylik 2-4-5-8, Mengel 3-1-1-7, Wetzel 5-0-0-14, Hall 1-0-0-2, Felty 3-0-0-8. Totals: 23-7-9-63.

LEHIGHTON

Repsher 0-0-2-0, Barthol 0-0-0-0, McHugh 0-0-0-0, Haley 1-0-0-2, Williams 2-0-1-2, Bowman 0-1-2-1, Wojton 0-0-0-0, Fisher 4-0-0-12, Miller 3-2-2-8, Hauser 0-0-0-0. Totals: 10-3-5-27.

N. Schuylkill 24 20 12 7 - 63

Lehighton 2 6 11 8 - 27

Three-pointers: N. Schuylkill - Himes 3, Felty 2, Conti 1; Lehighton - Fisher 4.