Photo for the Mirror by Teri Enciso Portage’s Owen Gouse shoots against the defense of West Shamokin’s Braydn Rodgers.

INDIANA — Winning a championship is never easy but not many basketball teams have survived a stretch of playing six games in seven nights to win one.

But that made the first Heritage Conference championship in Portage Area boys basketball history that much sweeter Friday at the Ed Fry Arena in the Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex in front of an announced crowd of 2,853.

“I think it made us closer and realize we are capable of great things,” Portage coach Travis Kargo said. “It wasn’t easy. We took the us against the world mentality, and these kids just responded.”

The Mustangs finished conquering the world — or at least the conference — with a 47-33 triumph over Heritage West Division champion West Shamokin.

“Getting here was a challenge — everyone in the Heritage is really good,” Portage senior Owen Gouse said. “Getting here and winning is even better. It’s something we haven’t done yet. We have only been in the league three years, but to finally win it, it means a lot to us.”

Gouse had a lot to do with that, finishing with a game-high 19 points, including a basket just before the end of the third quarter to push the Mustangs’ lead to 31-25 after the Wolves had whittled a 10-point halftime advantage to four.

Alex Talmadge made three free throws to start the fourth quarter and bring West Shamokin as close as it would get, before Portage went on a 10-0 run to put the game away.

“It’s amazing what winning does,” Kargo said. “It’s a very addictive feeling. These guys did all the work. Tonight might have been the ugliest, most beautiful game I have ever coached.”

Portage took control of the game by shutting out West Shamokin and Braydn Rodgers — who came in averaging 23 points a game — in the second quarter. Rodgers finished with just 13 points.

“They played hard,” West Shamokin coach Judd McCullough said. “We struggled to run our stuff. That’s a credit to Coach Kargo and their whole group. We struggled to go downhill. They were great defensively.”

West Shamokin wasn’t just missing shots, the Wolves were often not even getting them off before Portage forced a turnover.

“We ran exactly what we had practiced,” Kargo said. “I tipped my cap to the kids. They wanted it so badly that everything — the rotations, the box outs, it was all just very crisp. We have the ability to be a very good defensive team, and I think you saw that tonight.”

The stretch Portage played six games in seven nights ended with the Mustangs going 4-2 against some of the best teams in the Heritage Conference.

“It was so worth it,” Gouse said. “It really showed how good our character is and our competitiveness. We want to go as far as we can and never give up.”

Friday marked the second time Portage played in the Heritage finals after losing to United two years ago.

“We came here my sophomore year and played our hearts out and had a heartbreaking loss,” Layo said. “It feels great to come back this year and win it.”

Layo finished with 15 points and a team-high eight rebounds.

The Mustangs’ next quest for a championship will be in the District 6 Class 2A playoffs where they will host a quarterfinal game. A year ago, Portage didn’t make the Heritage Conference finals and lost in the first round of the Class 1A playoffs and was determined to have a better outcome this season.

“These kids, the way they show up and the way they work together, you could see it in workouts and summer leagues,” Kargo said. “We got better and better. We kept saying we could be good this year if we all work together, and you are seeing the fruits of their labor. Even from November to February, the growth in these guys has been amazing.”

WEST SHAMOKIN (33): Rodgers 6 0-0 13, Talmadge 1 3-3 6, Johns 2 0-0 5, Olinger 2 0-0 4, Barrett 2 1-2 5, Klonowski 0 0-0 0, Oesterling 0 0-0 0, Fowler 0 0-0 0, Krizmanich 0 0-0 0, Harkleroad 0 0-0 0. Totals — 13 4-5 33.

PORTAGE (47): Kargo 3 2-4 9, Layo 6 3-3 15, Gouse 9 1-2 19, Z. Hodge 1 0-0 2, E. Hodge 1 0-0 2, McCoy 0 0-0 0, Slanoc 0 0-0 0, Simala 0 0-0 0, Kick 0 0-0 0, Bobolsky 0 0-0 0, Caldwell 0 0-0 0, Ciokota 0 0-0 0. Totals — 20 6-9 47.

SCORE BY QUARTERS

West Shamokin 8 0 17 8 — 33

Portage 13 5 13 16 — 47

3-point goals: West Shamokin 3 (Rodgers, Talmadge, Johns); Portage 1 (Kargo).

Records: West Shamokin (17-5); Portage (17-5).

Officials: Chris Garritano, Jason Romagna, John Nepsha.