District 2 Boys Game Recap (Holy Redeemer vs. Wyoming Seminary)

Written by: Jon K on February 25, 2021

February 24, 2021

Royals Hand First Loss to Division Rival

Holy Redeemer 65, Wyoming Seminary 45

By Phil T.

WILKES-BARRE – Defeating your rival is always a great reason to celebrate. Handing your rival their first loss toward the end of the regular season, well, that can be a defining moment. Wyoming Seminary entered the night with a perfect 10-0 season record. However, at the end of the evening, it would be Holy Redeemer who came out victorious, defeating their rival by a most unexpected 65-45 margin, pushing their deceivingly modest mark to 9-8 on the season.

The Blue Knights showed their prowess by jumping out to an 8-0 lead in the opening five minutes. That advantage would not last as the Royals shook up their lineup, bringing standout junior Justice Shoats off the bench. It proved to be quite the game-changer and a deciding factor throughout the rest of the game.

After spotting Sem the eight point edge, Holy Redeemer answered back by ending the opening quarter with an 8-0 run of their own. Propelled by eight points from Zach Perta and four points from Shoats, the Royals would keep their momentum going into the second stanza as they extended their run to 12 points. When all was said and done, the Royals went on a 26-6 run, repeatedly driving to the basket, as they took a 26-19 advantage into halftime.

Highlighted by Shoats, Perta and Darryl Wright, Holy Redeemer’s switch to a small ball offense excelled against Seminary. The Royals were able to move the ball around successfully and swiftly cutting to the bucket.

Wright fed his team offensively after the halftime break, contributing three of his team’s five assists in the third period.

Wright and Shoats provided several highlight reel plays on the night as Wright found Shoats open for a pair of smooth alley-oop layups. Shoats produced some more fireworks by slamming home two dunks in the contest.

He led all scorers on the night with 20 points in his team’s victory. Matt Prociak added 18 points and snared 8 rebounds in the game. Darryl Wright only scored one field-goal on the night but contributed 6 assists and 4 steals.

The Blue Knights were led by Isaiah Stull with three triples and 10 points, all in the second half.

Wyoming Seminary will need to rebound quickly as Lake-Lehman travels to Kingston tomorrow night. The Black Knights trail Sem by two games in the Wyoming Valley Conference Division 2 standings. Every win in also important as higher seeds will host District 2 quarter and semi-final games this year.

Holy Redeemer will look to keep their win streak rolling as they travel to play Dallas tomorrow night. The Mountaineers defeated the Royals earlier this year, 60-47.

Wyoming Seminary’s leading scorer, Jake Koretz (22.5 ppg) who is also one of the top players in all of District 2, went down with an ankle injury shortly before the end of the first half. After the break, Koretz was seen sitting on the bench with his ankle wrapped. We wish him a safe, quick return to the court with the district playoffs set to begin next week.

Special thanks to the Holy Redeemer Athletic Department for allowing LLHoops to cover tonight’s game.