District 2 Boys Game Recap (Pittston Area vs. Wilkes-Barre Area)

Written by: Jon K on January 29, 2020

January 28, 2020

Pittston Area Remains in Division Race with Win

Pittston Area Patriots 47, Wilkes-Barre Area Wolfpack 38

By Phil T.

YATESVILLE – Pittston Area defeated Wilkes-Barre Area by using a dominant second half en route to a 47-38 victory Tuesday night.

The Patriots were facing an 8-point second period deficit, but found a spark and it led to a defensive run that would carry them to the victory. Pittston Area ended the first half on an 8-0 run, capped off by a Brennan Higgins layup that would result in a 26-26 deadlock at the break. Higgins would not miss a beat as the second half started, hitting an early triple that would give the Pats a decisive advantage.

The Wolfpack looked like a different team after intermission, allowing easy passes into the paint on defense and not hitting their shots on the offensive end. Wilkes-Barre Area would only score 12 points in the second half, five of which came in the closing 90 seconds of the game, after Wolfpack head coach Pat Toole pulled all the starters. The ‘Pack also struggled from the foul line (hitting just 2 of 6) compared to the Patriots converting 11 of 13 opportunities.

Higgins led the Patriots with 20 points while J.J. Walsh added 10 points.

Blake Masker would be the only player to score double-digits for Wilkes-Barre Area with 10 points.

Pittston Area remains in the hunt for the Wyoming Valley Conference Division 1 crown with the win. They trail pacesetter Hazleton Area by two games. The Patriots travel to Hazleton Area to face the Cougars on Friday.

Cole Walker drives through traffic for the layup. WBA lead 19-15, 6:30 left in the 2nd. pic.twitter.com/ltUcTz9T4v

— LLHoops NEP Beat_Phil (@Phil_LLHoopsNEP) January 29, 2020

Andrew Krawczyk with an easy layup in the paint. 3:17 left in the 3rd, Patriots have pulled ahead 33-30. pic.twitter.com/MhZqsi8DUo

— LLHoops NEP Beat_Phil (@Phil_LLHoopsNEP) January 29, 2020