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District 2 Boys Game Recap (Abington Heights vs. Valley View)
 

District 2 Boys Game Recap (Abington Heights vs. Valley View)

Written by: Jon K on February 4, 2020

 

 

February 4, 2020

 

Comet Ball Prevails for Close Win

 

Abington Heights Comets 40, Valley View Cougars 37

 

CLARKS SUMMIT – Dictating the pace of the game is something that Abington Heights has excelled at this season.  One game that got away from them in a big way was a 27-point loss at Valley View two weeks ago.  Tuesday’s rematch, pivotal for both teams’ division title hopes, was more like a chess match, played at a very deliberate pace.  This one went back and forth all night before Jacob Anderson hit a pair of free throws with 9.6 seconds left to get the Comets a thrilling 40-37 victory.

The first period began with Valley View’s Zack Kovalchik hitting a driving shot and the Comets’ Corey Perkins answering with a floater.  Adam Howanitz then got a free throw off a putback and connected with a turnaround shot.  A pair of free throws by Kovalchik would give the Cougars a 6-3 lead.  Perkins then got a steal and layup followed by a Harry Johnson free throw to knot the game at 6 heading into the second quarter.

The second period kept fans on the edge of their seats.  There were two ties, Valley View had two leads, and Abington Heights pulled in front four times.  Connor Kelley would hit the only triple of the game for a 13-11 Cougars lead midway through the quarter before Abington Heights went on an 8-3 run to end the first half, leading 19-16.          

The Comets were able to maintain a 4 to 6-point advantage through the entire third period as they continued to play tenacious, in-your-face  defense.  Nick Tomassino would hit one free throw with under a second remaining to cut the deficit to 29-25 with 8 minutes remaining.

Perkins would begin the final quarter with a basket from close range, but would then pick his 4th foul.  Tomassino and Howanitz hit back-to-back scores for Valley View to draw the Cougars within a field goal at 31-29.  Anderson would score for the Comets, but Valley View would then tie the game at 33 following baskets by Kelley and Max McLaughlin.  Harry Johnson then got a big 3-point play with 4:11 remaining for a 36-33 lead.  Kelley would convert a pair of free throws to cut it to 36-35.  Howantiz missed a 1+1 with 3:12 left before the Comets worked some time off the clock before getting a free throw from Perkins with 1:21 left to make it 37-35.  Harry Johnson then gave AH a 38-35 lead with 1:07 on the clock before Kovalchik hit a driving layup to again bring the Cougars within a single point, 38-37 with 50 ticks left.  The Comets would turn the ball over and Valley View was able to draw a foul with 9.6 seconds left.  Kovalchik missed the double bonus before Anderson got fouled and converted a pair of free throws to put AH up 40-37.  The Cougars would get two chances to tie the game in the closing seconds but both shots were off target. 

Corey Perkins led Abington Heights with 13 points while Harry Johnson added 11.  Kyle Nealon added 5 points while Mike Malone and Phil Johnson each added 4 points. Jacob Anderson contributed 3 points, including the important free throws in the closing seconds.

Valley View got 9 each from Adam Howanitz and Connor Kelley.  Zack Kovalchik contributed 8 points, Nick Tomassino 5 points, T.J. Noto 4 points, and Max McLaughlin hit 2 points (which tied the game at 33).              

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