Some leaders are born. Others have responsibility thrust upon them.

Zoe Zerman is a natural leader. But she has always been there when the Northern Lebanon girls’ basketball team has called upon her.

On Friday evening at Hershey’s Giant Center, Zerman led the Vikings to their greatest accomplishment in program history – a District Three Class AAAA championship. Zerman’s Vikings defeated Bishop McDevitt 46-44 in a tense final game.

Despite being saddled with foul trouble, Zerman paced the Northern Lebanon attack with a three-pointer, four deuces, five-for-five foul shooting and 16 total points. Earlier in the week, during Tuesday’s 50-43 semifinal triumph over Lancaster Catholic at Warwick High School, the senior guard struck for 20 points.

Throughout this historic Northern Lebanon campaign, Zerman’s duties have included – but have not teen limited to – ball handling, distribution, rebounding and, perhaps most importantly, guarding the other team’s best player. Zerman has averaged 13 points per outing for the Vikings this season and is also one of their top free-throw shooters and rebounders.

Zerman has committed to further her academic and athletic careers at Division Two Kutztown University.

– Jeff Falk