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District 2 Boys Game Recap (Dallas at Hazleton Area)
 

District 2 Boys Game Recap (Dallas at Hazleton Area)

Written by: Jon K on January 19, 2024

 

 

January 18, 2024

 

Cougars Pounce Quickly to Defeat Dallas

 

Hazleton Area 58, Dallas 42

 

HAZLE TOWNSHIP – Hazleton Area and Dallas have staged several memorable matchups in recent years.  The Mountaineers recipe for success is pretty simple.  They use terrific ball movement to set up their stellar outside shooters and use a smothering defense to create fast break scoring opportunities.  Winners of 5 of their last 6 games coming into Thursday’s tilt (including a two-point loss to division leader Wilkes-Barre Area), Dallas definitely liked their chances against a Hazleton Area squad that has continued to struggle late to lock up a victory in recent close games.  But, on this night, the Cougars delighted their fans as they flipped that script big-time using a 21-4 run through the first quarter as they roared to an impressive 58-42 win.  This was a total team effort highlighted by the impressive play of 6-4 junior Luis Guzman (17 points, 16 rebounds) who netted 11 points in the first stanza.  The Cougars got to the hoop with confidence and, most importantly, in control.  While the contest was much closer through the next three periods, the damage was done.  Mounts’ leading scorer Mike Combo was held in check by HA senior Sammy Guzman and without a field goal until the final quarter.

After Nick Williams gave Dallas their only lead of the evening (2-0), freshman Dylan Stish ignited a 9-0 run over the next two minutes with a triple.  Luis Guzman immediately used his height advantage with a pair of putbacks wrapped around a score by senior Joey Marshall (feed from senior PG Luke Gennaro).  After a timeout, a pair of drives by junior guard Jude Nocito brought the Mounts within 12-6 before HA would go on yet another 9-0 spurt as the “Luis Guzman and Dylan Stish” show continued (the duo combined for 19 points in the first period).  In the closing moments, Williams got a tip-in and senior guard Cameron Faux connected on a triple to cut it to 21-11 heading into the second quarter.

The teams played even in the second period with Nocito’s trey cutting it to 21-14 early.  The Cougars continued to play solid defense as they got inside baskets from Marshall and 6-9 senior center James Reimold to go up 26-14.  Nocito got a baseline drive followed by a score by Zach Paczewski (26-18) before senior Nikoli Santiago netted back-to-back baskets for HA.  Williams got a drive down the lane at the buzzer as Dallas headed into the locker room trailing Hazleton Area, 30-20.

The second half started off much the same as the first as the Cougars got a Luis Guzman pass into Marshall six seconds into play.  It was the start of a 7-0 spurt.  Hazleton Area continued to get to the basket with scores by Guzman, Stish, and Marshall.  Senior forward Nick Farrell finally got the Mountaineers on the second half scoreboard at the 3:10 mark before HA took their largest lead of the game, 41-22.  Faux connected on another trey as Dallas cut the gap to 43-28 heading into the final fame.

Cumbo found plenty of success in the final quarter scoring 11 of his team-high 12 points while the Cougars were getting to the foul line often where they converted 7 of 12 opportunities.  The charity stripe was the lone area of inconsistency throughout the game for Hazleton Area where they only made 11 of 23 shots.  The Cougars closed this out with a 58-42 win as they moved into a second-place division tie with top-rival Crestwood. 

Hazleton Area was led by Luis Guzman with 17 points.  Joe Marshall (12 points) and Luke Gennaro (10 points) also reached double-figures.  Dylan Stish, Nikoli Sanitago, and James Reimold combined for 19 points.  The Cougars connected on 3 triples.

Dallas was paced by Mike Cumbo with 12 points, Jude Nocito added 9 points and Nick Williams added 8 points.  Cameron Faux, Nick Farrell, and Zach Paczewski combined for 13 points.  The Mounts netted 4 triples and made 4 of their 9 opportunities from the foul line.

Hazleton Area will take part in Saturday’s Reading Shootout against District 11 top 3A team Executive Education Academy (11-2).  The Cougars jump back into Wyoming Valley Conference action Monday when they visit Crestwood.  Both teams are 4-1 in Division 1 play.  Dallas will travel to play Wilkes-Barre Area on Saturday.  The Wolfpack lead the division with a 5-0 mark.       

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