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District 2 Boys Game Recap (Carbondale vs. Old Forge)
 

District 2 Boys Game Recap (Carbondale vs. Old Forge)

Written by: Jon K on January 14, 2023

 

 

January 13, 2023

 

Macciocco Keys Old Forge win over Carbondale 

 

Old Forge 54, Carbondale 42

 

CARBONDALE – After Old Forge threatened to put this game away in the second period as their lead grew to nine points, Carbondale was able to douse the Blue Devils’ momentum just before the break.  It would be the start of a 21-9 Chargers’ run that carried over into the early moments of the 4th quarter.  But, as has been their go-to player on so many occasions, senior guard Joe Macciocco found some success from the perimeter and built on that energy to net 17 points in the final stanza to lead his team to a 54-42 road victory.

 

The first period was back and forth with four lead changes and neither team leading by more than three points.  Darryl Bennett got Carbondale on the board before Matt Kuckla scored underneath to tie it at 2.  The Blue Devils went up 5-2 on a free throw by Joey Macciocco and putback back Kuckla.  Early on, there were plenty of turnovers and missed shot by both teams.  The Chargers got a 6-0 run to take the lead (8-5) as Tyler Donato got a putback followed by a steal and layup from Bennett plus a pair of free throws from Donato.  Carbondale was finding success taking away the inside passing lanes.  Old Forge would take a 9-8 lead into the second period after getting a score underneath by Palma and layup by Kuckla.

 

Old Forge extended their lead to 13-9 in the second quarter as they got a jumper from Anthony Cole and layup off a steal by Macciocco.  As both teams were struggling to cash in on what were higher percentage inside opportunities, Old Forge slowed down the pace a bit to patiently look for a good shot.  Anthony Mucciolo got a layup off a Carbondale turnover followed by a nice feed into Donato for a layup to cut the Blue Devils lead to 15-11.  Old Forge then got a 5-0 run layup by Palma and triple by Tyler Pepsin to go up 20-11 with 2:50 left in the first half.  After teams traded scores from inside the lane, Carbondale would get a important triple before the buzzer from Preston Casey to reduce the deficit to 22-16.

 

The Chargers’ confidence and momentum carried over into the third period as they inched their back into the lead.  Bennett and Anthony traded jump shots before Bennett converted a free throw at the 6:02 mark to cut it to 24-19.  Tyler Donato was beginning to become a force on both ends of the floor.  He made a strong move for a turnaround layup (24-21) before Mucciolo scored to again put the Devils up by five points (26-21).  Baskets by Casey and Chris Severino narrowed the gap to a single point (26-25) at the 3:20 mark.  Mucciolo got a foul shot before Severino connected on a corner trey to give the Chargers a 28-27 lead at the 2:45 mark.  A fast break layup by Mucciolo put the Blue Devils back in front (29-28) before Severino scored underneath to send Carbondale into the final period leading 30-29.

 

The Chargers got a layup from Donato to start the final quarter for a 32-29 lead.  After trading points from the charity stripe, Macciocco hit back-to-back triples wrapped around a layup by Casey as Old Forge again took the lead, 37-35.  Donato then converted a pair of free throws with 5:20 left in the game to knot things up at 37.  Macciocco continued hit hot hand by driving strongly to the bucket on consecutive possessions for a 44-37 Devils lead.  While playing intense defense, Carbondale was beginning to get frustrated.  The Devils’ run continued with scores by Kuckla wrapped around a layup by Mucciolo (50-37) as the clock approached one minute remaining.  Old Forge would close out the 54-42 win with an impressive final period.

 

Old Forge was paced by Joe Macciocco with 20 points (17 in the final period).  Anthony Mucciolo netted 11 and Tyler Pepsin added 10.  Dom Palma, Anthony Cole, and Typer Persin combined to add 13 points.  The Blue Devils were 9 of 11 free throws.

 

Carbondale was led by Tyler Donato with 12 points while Darryl Bennett and Chris Sererino each contributed 10 points.  Preston Casey and Brian Salitsky combined to add 10 points.  The Chargers struggled from the charity stripe only converting 8 of 17 opportunities.

 

Both teams continue Lackawanna League action on Tuesday.  Old Forge hosts Lakeland while Carbondale visits Lackawanna Trail (crossover game which does not count in the division race).   

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