Maria Tukis has gained a reputation as one of the fiercest, most intense defenders in central Pennsylvania, and deservedly so. But this season, her fourth and final on the varsity level, Tukis has turned up the volume on her scoring.

Of course, it is just a different mean to the same end.

This week, Tukis led the Palmyra girls’ basketball team in scoring in two of its three games, all three wins.

On Tuesday, Tukis poured in 18 points to help the Cougars rally by Hempfield 52-43 in a key non-league match-up in Cougarland. Then on Friday night in Palmyra, Tukis posted 15 points to share team-high scoring honors with Molly Gundermann, during the Cougars’ 52-41 triumph over Red Land.

Earlier in the week, Tukis showcased her defensive skills in a crucial 44-39 victory over Mechanicsburg, in Palmyra’s Mid-Penn Keystone Division opener. The 3-0 week propelled the Cougars to 5-0 on the year.

Tukis is also an accomplished runner, a one-time District Three champion and a two-time PIAA champion – in both cross country and track and field.

 – Jeff Falk