District 2/11 Boys Recap (Executive Education at Abington Heights)
Written by: Jon K on December 23, 2023
December 22, 2023
Comets’ Defense Keys Big Win over Raptors
Abington Heights 47, Executive Education 31
By Jon K.
CLARKS SUMMIT – When the outside shots weren’t falling through the nets, Abington Heights continued to double-down on their defensive pressure, getting numerous crowd-pleasing blocks under the basket. In this battle of unbeaten teams, momentum firmly swung in the Comets’ direction after consecutive steals and coast-to-coast scores by Will Marion gave them control of the game midway through the third period. In this matchup of premier programs from Districts 2 and 11, it was the Comets that came away with the big victory, 47-31, holding Executive Education Academy well below their season average of 68 ppg.
The near capacity crowd patiently awaited the main event after delays pushed the varsity tip more than an hour beyond the scheduled start. This one had a terrific playoff vibe mixed in with the holiday festivities. While the first quarter had its share of offensive woes for both teams, it definitely entertained as it went back-and forth on the scoreboard. Robby Lucas connected on a triple to give AH a 5-4 lead midway through the frame. Jaden Shipley responded with a strong, driving layup to put the Raptors back into the lead, 6-5. Teams again traded scores as AH got a putback floater in the lane by Marion followed by 6-10 junior Lamine Sanoh getting his second basket for EE. The period ended with Ryan Nealon driving to the hoop before dishing off to a wide-open Jordan Shaffer who gave the Comets the 9-8 lead heading into the second quarter.
The Comets used a 5-0 run in the first three minutes of the second period – a pair of free throws from Nealon and a triple by Mason Fedor – to go up 14-8. Rylan Muniz got a big 3-point play for Executive Education bringing it back to a one-score game before Lucas drove down the lane at the 3:00 mark to make it 16-11. Jayden Manning chipped away at the lead further (16-13) sending the Raptors into the locker room with some momentum.
Abington Heights slowly began to put some distance on the scoreboard in the third period. Lucas nailed a corner triple a minute into the second half giving the Comets a 19-13 lead, but Raptors repeatedly got some timely shooting to stay within striking distance. The first was a triple by Rylan Muniz. Then, after Marion netted electrifying layups off consecutive steals, an Elias Lopez trey brought EE back within four points, 27-23. The Comets began to get to the charity stripe late in the quarter. Fedor made a free throw before Ryan Nealon drained a triple moments before the buzzer to take a 31-23 lead into the final frame.
The Comets 6-1 start in the final stanza gave then a commanding lead, 37-24. The Raptors were clearly getting frustrated and tempers began to boil over just a bit as they got called for their second technical foul on the game. Lopez made another triple cutting it to 41-29 approaching three minutes remaining in the game. The Comets protected the lead using their effective 2 + 1 ball movement and getting to the free throw line where they made 9 of 11 opportunities to secure the impressive 47-31 victory.
Ryan Nealon led Abington Heights with 18 points. Will Marion was also in double-figures with 12 points. Robby Lucas, Mason Fedor, and Jordan Shaffer combined for 17 points. The Comets netted 5 triples and made 14 of their 20 trips to the free throw line (Nealon was 10 of 10).
Executive Education Academy was led by Elias Lopez (8 points) and Jaden Shipley (7 points). Rylan Muniz, Lamine Sanoh, Gabe Hornberger, and Jayden Manning combined for 16 points. The Raptors made 3 triples and converted 2 of 7 free throw opportunities.
— LLHoops Neast Beat (@LLHoopsNEPbeat) December 23, 2023
Jordan Shaffer gives the Comets a 9-8 lead. pic.twitter.com/o8tGaMWoHj
— LLHoops Neast Beat (@LLHoopsNEPbeat) December 23, 2023
Second half underway pic.twitter.com/NKLqpjeazI
— LLHoops Neast Beat (@LLHoopsNEPbeat) December 23, 2023
— LLHoops Neast Beat (@LLHoopsNEPbeat) December 23, 2023
That's Ryan Nealon with the triple to end the third period. pic.twitter.com/NRucrQIaLg
— LLHoops Neast Beat (@LLHoopsNEPbeat) December 23, 2023
— LLHoops Neast Beat (@LLHoopsNEPbeat) December 23, 2023
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