Olivia Smelas believes a bond formed in second grade with lifelong friends on and off the basketball court withstands the tests of time.

It has taken different routes for most of them, but they all continue to keep their link together.

Smelas — along with Skyler Searfoss, Leila Hurley and Leah Snisky — were all integral parts of Jim Thorpe’s girls basketball program that compiled an overall 96-15 record, and collected a District 11 crown and two Schuylkill League titles from 2018-22.

Smelas (1,252 points and over 1,000 career rebounds with the Olympians), Hurley (1,459 points), and Searfoss (1,787 points) were all four-year starters and 1,000-point-plus career scorers in high school, while Snisky became a starter her sophomore year.

And then they took their game to the next level.

Smelas, Hurley and Snisky recently closed another chapter, while Searfoss was in the final pages — involved in the NCAA Division 2 playoffs.

It appears while this chapter has closed, there will be more in the future.

“I think we will always have that special bond,” noted Smelas, who concluded her career with Hurley at Kutztown University. “Even as we go our own ways, I don’t think it will fade away throughout our lives.”

Searfoss, who has averaged 9.2 points per game and accumulated 914 points for Holy Family University during her career and just helped the Tigers reached the Elite Eight, has worked to keep the lines of communication open.

“I’m close with Olivia and Leah because we talk often,” said Searfoss. “I hadn’t played against Olivia and Leila in a while, but they beat us in a close game my freshman year.

“When we did see each other, it was fun. But it was all business on the floor once the game started.”

Smelas, who was a First-Team All-PSAC East choice and averaged 6.5 points and 9.5 rebounds, and Hurley, who averaged nine points, both enjoyed their meetings with Snisky, who finished her career at Shepherd College after beginning it at New Jersey’s Georgian Court.

In their freshman year, Hurley recalled a lighter moment with Snisky on the court that wasn’t appreciated by her coaches.

“One memorable game was the first time I played against Leah when she was at Georgian Court,” recounted Hurley. “We were both freshmen and ended up guarding each other.

“Since we knew each other’s playing styles so well, Leah blocked my shot — and we both started laughing pretty hard. My coaches, however, didn’t find it nearly as funny and quickly pulled me out of the game. It’s a moment I’ll always remember, not just because it was funny, but because it was also a valuable learning experience as a freshman.”

Smelas has worked to keep her ties with Searfoss and Snisky off the court.

“I get to see Leila all the time at school,” said Smelas. “Whenever I come home, I hang out with Skyler and Leah whenever I can.”

For Smelas, coming to Kutztown with Hurley made college an easier transition.

“It was a lot of fun,” said Smelas. “Coming off a great high school career and continuing it with Leila at KU has made the past four years really memorable.”

Hurley shared the same sentiment with her longtime friend.

“Coming to Kutztown University with Olivia definitely helped,” said Hurley. “Having someone you’re already comfortable with makes that transition smoother. College can feel overwhelming at first, so having that built-in support system made it easier to settle in both on and off the court.”

Smelas and Hurley, who faced Snisky twice a year, had their final game against her in the closing weeks, gaining a 73-67 overtime victory. Kutztown ended its season suffering a 79-54 defeat to Seton Hill in a PSAC quarterfinal game, and finished 19-10 overall.

Smelas relished the final court meeting.

“Yes, definitely,” said Smelas. “She’s my best friend, so to see her any time I can is a good time. The last matchup we had was definitely bittersweet.”

Nadia Gauronsky, their high school coach, figured she had a special group with high expectations, not just in their basketball skills.

“Of course I knew they would be successful because they were good people beyond the basketball court,” said Gauronsky. “They did the right things, whether it was in the classroom or giving back to the community they grew up in.

“Some of the best memories these girls will have will be them playing for Jim Thorpe and having the whole town support them. I was more than honored to be their coach, and certainly was so happy to be a part of their magical ride.”

There’s always the possibility that they will reunite on a court someday to rekindle their magic.

“I could see us playing together maybe in a summer league or just pick up,” said Smelas.

“I’m not sure if my body could handle a real game, but I’d always take the chance to play with them again,” said Searfoss.

“It would be great to play in a women’s league with Olivia, Leah and Skyler, and have the four of us back together again. I’m not sure that will be possible since not all will be living in Jim Thorpe this summer,” added Hurley.

All of them will soon begin their new ventures, one staying within the game.

Searfoss will be a graduate assistant with her team next year, taking the first step toward a coaching career. Smelas will take a position with Baker Tilley, an accounting firm in Allentown, but she will look into being a volunteer coach somewhere.

Hurley, who is a volunteer coach with the Jim Thorpe boys basketball team, plans to attend graduate school to further her pursuit of Elementary Education and Speech-Language Pathology. She also runs Hurley Hoops, a basketball training company. Snisky will pursue a business career.

Wherever their future trails take them, the foursome’s ties will continue to bind to some degree. Their four-year run at Thorpe set a standard that will be hard to match.

“My favorite basketball story is playing with Leila, Olivia and Skylar at Jim Thorpe in 2021-22,” said Snisky. “I will always remember that year and the memories we made together.

“Even though we have been separated for these past four years, we are still friends. I will always feel a special bond with the three of them.”