District 2 Boys Game Recap (Dallas 70, Wilkes-Barre 43)

Written by: Jon K on January 22, 2023

January 21, 2023

Balanced Dallas Offense Rolls over Wolfpack

Dallas 70, Wilkes-Barre Area 43

DALLAS – The Dallas Mountaineers, with just a single blemish on their season record, hosted Wilkes-Barre Area on Saturday evening, the team that rallied for an upset win back in December. In their division rematch, the Mounts led this one from start to finish, winning 70-43, as they placed five players in double figures. And when many of their outside shots were not connecting, they relied on a combination of fast breaks and crisp inside passing to score many of their points from close range.

While the pre-game playlist got the big crowd pumped up, the public address system was not functioning resulting in a crowd sing-a-long of the national anthem. After Dallas took an early 4-3 lead, the Mountaineers went on a 12-0 run as they got repeated scores off Wilkes-Barre Area turnovers and displaying this team’s e incredible balance. Michael Bufalino got the streak going with a 3-point play. Darius Wallace added a jumper from the foul line. Jude Nocito continued the run by driving in for a layup followed by a corner trey by Cameron Faux. Michael Cumbo then got into the scoring column with a pair of free throws. Kaprie Cottle ended the offensive barrage with a triple that reduced the score to 18-6 heading into the second period.

The Wolfpack found some offensive rhythm in the second quarter, briefly cutting the Dallas lead into single digits, but the Mounts would get a pair of triples by Cumbo and a long one by Nocito to maintain full control. After Waaritho Oseni made a 3-pointplay for the Pack at the 4:30 mark cutting it to 23-15, Dallas would go on a 14-5 run highlighted fast breaks scores by Nocito (off a loose ball pass) and Darius Wallace. Both teams were playing solid defense as Oseni got a block on a Nocito drive. Nick Farrell would get a putback score giving Dallas a 37-20 halftime lead.

Wilkes-Barre Area got a scoring spurt from Vincent Garrett with a triple and free throw at the 5:24 mark to cut it to 39-24 but Dallas would get a triple by Faux and putback by Bufalino to take a 45-26 lead. Both teams have players who can make athletic drives to the basket. Garrett made a terrific move for a layup followed by Bufalino streaking down the lane to lay it in. The Pack again cut the deficit to 15 points following a Brandon Benjamin baseline jumper, but the Mountaineers responded with a fantastic feed into Nicholas Williams for a 3-point play to extend their lead to 52-32 after 24 minutes of play.

Throughout the contest Dallas exhibited some of the dazzle that makes this team so difficult to defend. The court awareness and ability to find the open player is impressive. Bufalino’s over-the-head backward feed to Williams and ensuing pass into Williams for a reverse layup (after patiently taking a minute off the clock) are perfect examples. The Pack got a putback by Karee Harmon-Ascerno, a pair of free throws by Garrett, and another score by Harmon-Ascerno to cut it to 54-38. Dallas responded by slowing things down a bit and going on a 5-0 run capped off by a nifty drive and scoop layup by Wallace. Teams headed for several trips to the charity stripe before both coaches pulled their starters with 3:45 remaining in the game. It’s always fun when a crowd favorite gets the opportunity to come off the bench and get their name in the scorebook. And with the eruption of applause, that definitely applied to Dallas senior guard Sean Dolan who netted a triple in the closing moments as the Mounts secured the 70-43 victory.

Dallas was led by balanced scoring as five players reached double figures, Nicholas Williams with 13, Jude Nocito with 11, and three players with 10 each (Darius Williams, Michael Bufalino, and Michael Cumbo). The Mountaineers had 6 triple sand were 10 of 13 free throws.

Wilkes-Barre Area was paced by Vincent Garrett with 9 points. Waarithi Oseni and Kapri Cottle each added 9 points. The Wolfpack hit 11 of 18 opportunities from the charity stripe.

Dallas continues their conference schedule on Tuesday when they visit an improving Wyoming Valley West squad while Wilkes-Barre Area hosts Tunkhannock.

Dallas is led by senior forward Michael Bufalino (13.8 ppg), senior guard Darius Wallace (13.1 ppg) and soph guard Jude Nocito (10.4 ppg). Cameron Faux has 35 triples. Michael Cumbo is back in lineup. Their only loss was to Wilkes-Barre, 68-63, on December 27. @ThrashPhillip pic.twitter.com/P6Qe3PpgYL

— LLHoops Neast Beat (@LLHoopsNEPbeat) January 22, 2023

Wilkes-Barre Area has a balanced team with several players contributing, senior guard Brandon Benjamin averages 9.7 ppg. Their 4 division losses were to Crestwood, Hazleton Area, Pittston Area, and Tunkhannock. @ThrashPhillip pic.twitter.com/PyUBI5JmBK

— LLHoops Neast Beat (@LLHoopsNEPbeat) January 22, 2023