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Boys 4A First Round:  Scranton Prep 62, Octorara 53
 

Boys 4A First Round: Scranton Prep 62, Octorara 53

Written by: Jon K on March 12, 2023

 

 

March 11, 2023 

 

Scranton Prep Defeats Octorara in Boys 4A Matchup

 

Scranton Prep 62, Octorara 53

 

by Jon K.

SCRANTON – With the entire District 2 lineup of games wiped off Friday’s schedule due to the anticipated snow event, Octorara stuck with their original travel plans and arrived in the Scranton area a full 24+ hours prior to their Boys 4A First Round game against Scranton Prep scheduled for late Saturday afternoon.  The Braves showed no signs of fatigue as they played the Cavaliers even throughout much of the game, trailing by just two points entering the final period, 44-42.  But, as they’ve shown throughout the season, once they get their running game going, the Cavs can score points quickly.  Their 10-3 spurt to start the final stanza helped key a 62-53 victory advancing them into Tuesday’s PIAA Boys 4A Second Round against District 1 Champion, Bishop Shanahan.  

It’s always a fun atmosphere when inter-district play gets going as the knowledge level about an opponent is often sparse.  Pre-game banter among the Scranton Prep faithful was more focused on wondering whether their opponent got awoken by some of the Scranton Saint Patrick’s Day Parade revelers staying at their hotel.  Any such banter was quickly forgotten as this matchup got rolling at a frantic pace.  And the Braves established some momentum as their 8-0 run helped build a seven-point lead (22-15) after the first period. 

Scranton Prep got on the board with scores by James Pettinato and Daniel Sataniello for a 4-0 lead a minute into the game.  Octorara would respond with a 7-0 run with a triple by Josh Bare along with a jumper and drive down the lane by Zach Kirk.  The Cavaliers bounced back with a turnaround in the lane by Ambrose Rossi and drive by Sataniello to go up, 8-7.  Octorara then got a score by Lucas Thaler and another triple by Bare wrapped around a Prep score to tie things up at 12.  Both teams were playing well and showing the competitive balance on the court.  Mason Lambert gave the Braves a 14-12 lead before a 3-point play by Sataniello gave the Cavs the lead back once again.  In the final minute of first period action, Octorara got a corner triple from Elijah Hamilton and layup from Kirk.  Then, with time winding down and Scranton Prep looking to take the last shot, the Braves exhibited some terrific trapping defense forcing a turnover and getting a triple by Kirk at the buzzer to take a 22-15 advantage into the second quarter.        

After connecting on four treys in the first period, Octorara would cool off in the second quarter as Scranton Prep inched their way back, outscoring the Braves 12-6 with half of their points coming from converting 6 of 6 opportunities from the free throw line.  Chase Scanlan and Kirk traded scores before Lambert again gave the Braves a seven-point lead, 26-19.  Successful trips to the charity stripe by Keith Pritchyk, Pettinato, and Brycen Martin pulled Prep within three, 26-23.  Following a five-second call on Octorara, Rossi scored with 2:45 left in the first half to cut the deficit to a single point, 26-25.  Thomas Brooklyn and Pettinato then traded baskets as Octorara took a 28-27 lead into the halftime break.

The third quarter belonged to Braves’ versatile 6-5 senior Eiljah Hamilton who netted 12 of their 14 points to keep his team within a single score (44-42) heading into the final frame.  A pair of Hamilton scores got the second half going to extend their lead to 32-27.  Scranton Prep then went on a 6-0 spurt to regain the lead (33-32) via scores by Pettinato and Rossi plus a nifty spinning layup by Sataniello at the 5:28 mark.  Octorara came right back through the middle of the quarter with a nice turnaround jumper by Hamilton and fast break layup by Kirk to take a 36-33 lead.  A triple by Kellen Casey knotted things up at 36 before the Cavs took a 42-36 lead with a fast break “and 1” from Sataniello plus a Pettinato corner triple. The overwhelmingly home crowd was getting into this one and showing their approval.  Hamilton then got a layup off a loose ball (as play was getting more physical) followed by a scoop layup by Roman ValvanoHamilton continued his hot hand by nailing a triple at the buzzer to bring the Braves within 44-42 heading into the final quarter.

The Cavaliers immediately took control with a 3-point play by Martin thirteen seconds into the stanza and followed it with a Sataniello layup to take a 49-42 lead.  Octorara would counter with  pair of Kirk free throws and floater by Bare wrapped around a Pettinato putback off a Hamilton block to cut it to 51-45, but that’s as close as the Braves would get the rest of the way.  A Sataniello 3-point play plus scores by Pritchyk, Martin (fast break), Scanlan, and Casey gave Scranton Prep a commanding 62-47 lead approaching the 2:00 mark as they got their running game into high gear.  The Braves closed out the scoring with a 6-0 run as Scranton Prep secured the 62-53 victory.

Scranton Prep got balanced scoring as eight players got into the scorebook led by James Pettinato with 15 points and Daniel Sataniello with 14 points.  Ambrose Rossi added 8 points while Chase Scanlan and Brycen Martin each netted 7 points.  Kellen Casey, Keith Pritchyk, and Roman Valvano combined for 11 points.  The Cavaliers were perfect from the charity stripe hitting 10 of 10 opportunities.  They connected on a pair of triples.

Octorara was paced by Zach Kirk with 16 points and Elijah Hamilton with 15 points.  Josh Bare scored 8 points with a pair of triples.  Mason Lambert, Lucas Thaler, and Thomas Brooklyn combined for 14 points.  The Braves hit 4 of 5 free throws and connected on 5 triples.     

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