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District 2 Boys Game Recap (Abington Heights vs. Scranton Prep)
 

District 2 Boys Game Recap (Abington Heights vs. Scranton Prep)

Written by: Jon K on January 28, 2023

 

 

January 27, 2023

 

Team Effort Keys Big Win for Comets

 

Abington Heights 65, Scranton Prep 48

 

By Jon K.

SCRANTON – On a night that was all about coming together in the battle against cancer, Abington Heights used that inspiration to springboard toward an impressive team effort in their 65-48 victory over top rival Scranton Prep.  The Coaches vs. Cancer fundraising effort, now in its 16th campaign, highlighted a few stories that have impacted both the Cavalier and Comet community.  Robby Lucas, a sophomore on Abington Heights lost his dad to cancer back in 2020.  If you haven’t read the Scranton Times article by Joby Fawcett about that family loss, check out the link below.

 

The defensive tone was set in motion off the opening tip as Mason Fedor blocked a Daniel Sataniello shot.  A minute later he swatted away another one by Ambrose Rossi.  Teams played even on the scoreboard through the first four minutes.  After baskets by Ryan Nealon and Robby Lucas gave the Comets a 4-0 lead, the Cavaliers got some inside scoring from Kellen Casey (reverse layup) and Rossi (turnaround in lane).   A Nealon putback was followed with a layup by Will Marion that showed terrific hustle in him tracking down a loose ball.  Chase Scanlan converted a layup cutting the deficit to 8-6 at the 4:00 mark.  The rest of the quarter began to resemble a track meet as AH scored off several fast break opportunities while their defense and rebounding were outstanding.  The ensuing 12-2 run gave the Comets a 20-8 lead heading in the second quarter.  Nealon got things going with a fast break layup.  Marion followed with a triple.  After a Scranton Prep turnover, Patrick Walsh added a pair of free throws.  Following another Cavs’ turnover, Robby Lucas took it coast-to-coast (17-6 lead).  Keith Pritchyk got Prep back on the scoreboard with a layup before Lucas finished the stanza with a baseline drive and later free throw in the closing seconds.

 

Scranton Prep was able to limit their turnovers in the second period, and with the Comets missing their shots and dealing with some sloppy play at times, the Cavs were able to cut into the lead.  After Nealon expanded their lead to 22-8 with a pair of free throws, Scranton Prep went on a 6-0 spurt that cut the gap to 22-14 at the 3:15 mark.  Sataniello got a layup and pair of free throws followed by a spinning layup by Brycen Martin.  After Keith Pritchyk got a power layup to again cut the deficit to eight points (24-16), the Comets went on a 7-2 run to close the first half as Fedor got a pair of layups followed by a 3-point play by Nealon.  The Cavs would get a jumper by Martin in the closing seconds to cut their deficit to 31-20 at the break.    

 

Scanlan got the home crowd energized with a triple to start the second half (31-23), but over the next three and a half minutes Abington Heights would go on a 10-1 run which gave them a 41-24 advantage that was highlighted by a pair of smooth outside shots by Fedor that showed his offensive flexibility.  Lucas and Marion each added a nifty drive down the lane.  The Comets continued to get inside penetration as Marion got a layup off a Prep turnover followed by putbacks by Lucas and Marion.  Roman Valvano got the first triple of the game for the Cavaliers as they went into the final frame trailing 47-31. 

 

Scranton Prep did not fade away, but showed resilience as they tightened their defense and began to heat up from long range to cut the once 19-point AH lead to 51-41 with 5:38 remaining in the game.  A Valvano fed into Casey for a layup got the run going.  Triples by Martin and Sataniello kept their momentum going.  But, the Comets responded with a game-clinching 11-2 run as they got 5 points from Lucas, 3 from Nealon, and a putback by Fedor.  After taking their largest lead of the game (65-45), Martin netted a triple for Scranton Prep as this one ended 65-48.

 

Abington Heights got balanced scoring as Ryan Nealon led the way with 19 points.  Robby Lucas added 16 points while Mason Fedor and Will Marion each contributed 13 points.  Patrick Walsh and Jack Petriello combined for 4 points.  The Comets were stellar from the charity stripe hitting 15 of their 19 opportunities.

 

Scranton Prep was paced by Brycen Martin with 12 points and Daniel Sataniello with 11 points.  Chase Scanlon added 7 points and Keith Pritchyk had 6 points.  Kellen Casey, Ambrose Rossi, Roman Valvano, and James Pettinato combined for 12 points.              

 

Both teams will be back in action on Tuesday with Lackawanna League division crossover games.  Abington Heights will host North Pocono while Scranton Prep travels to Western Wayne.

 

LLHoops would like to thank the Scranton Prep Athletic Department for their assistance during tonight’s game coverage.

 

LINK to Scranton Times article on Robby Lucas (Coaches vs. Cancer “In The Paint” story by Joby Fawcett)  

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