District 2 Boys Game Recap (Scranton Prep vs. Tunkhannock)

Written by: Jon K on December 3, 2022

December 2, 2022

Scranton Prep Rallies for Opening Night Win

Scranton Prep 59, Tunkhannock 56

By Jon K.

SCRANTON – Begin with some intense, pressure defense.  Add in some timely, long-range shooting.  And don’t forget to cash-in on charity stripe opportunities.  That is the formula for success that fans have come to expect from Scranton Prep basketball.  On opening night, the Cavaliers got back to basics and persevered through several first half double-digit deficits to claw their way back to come out on top, 59-56, against a very talented Tunkhannock squad.  This opening night tilt had an intensity not often seen in early-December matchups and the large crowd was on the edge of their seats throughout the closing moments.  These are the games that help coaches get their players ready for division championship contention.

After trading triples to start the game, James Pettinato (5-10 senior guard) would connect on a trey giving the Cavaliers a brief 6-5 advantage.  The Tigers would then go on a 14-0 run to take their largest lead of the game, 19-6.  In that spurt, they got balanced scoring from experienced lineup, guard Josh Brown (triple and layup), guard Dylan Mateus (drive down lane and a triple), plus Shane Macko and Ben Chilson.  Prep ended the period with a pair of free throws, a basket by Kellen Casey, and trey by Pettinato to trim the deficit to six points, 19-13, heading into the second frame.

Tunkhannock again expanded their lead to start the second stanza getting a bank trey from Mateus, score from Chilson in the lane, and 3-point play from Macko to take a 27-15 lead with just under three minutes remaining in the first half.  The Cavs were struggling a bit from beyond the arc, but got some effective inside offense from Ambrose Rossi (6-4 sophomore forward) and Keith Pritchyk (6-3 senior forward) to net 8 points to keep Prep within striking distance at the break, 30-21.

The third quarter featured Scranton Prep driving into the lane, getting to the foul line, and dialing up their defensive pressure.  But, every time the Cavs tried to rally, Tunkhannock had a response.  Following a Chilson slam that put the Tigers up 37-28, Prep cut the gap to 37-33 via another Pettinato triple and pair of free throws from Pritchyk.  Tunkhannock responded with an 8-0 run with a Macko layup, Chilson triple, and basket by junior Ethan Ergott to take a 45-33 advantage.  Prep would then convert 2 of 3 free throws to head into the final eight minutes trailing 45-36.

Scores by Casey and Colin Madan started the final period putting Tunkhannock again up by nine, 49-40, with 5:53 remaining in the contest.  Triples by Casey and Pettinato along with a traditional 3-point play by Pettinato over the next 1:45 knotted this one at 49 and had the home crowd on their feet.  But…the fun was only beginning.  The Cavs grabbed their first lead (52-51) since early in the game on a score by Pettinato.  Following a charging call on Pritchyk, Chilson scored in the lane for a 53-52 Tigers’ lead with 2:13 left.  Junior Roman Valvano then got a putback to give Prep a 54-53 edge.  Emotions swirled from one side to the other as Mateus and Casey then traded back-to-back clutch treys maintaining a 57-56 lead for the Cavaliers.  Scranton Prep would then take their biggest lead of the game, 59-56, with a pair of free throws from Pettinato (two of his 23 second half points).  Tunkhannock was able to get a good look at a game-tying triple, but it caromed off the rim in the final seconds giving Scranton Prep the hard-fought, emotional victory. 

Scranton Prep was paced by James Pettinato with 29 points (including 5 triples), Kellen Casey with 10 (all in the final period including a pair of treys), and Keith Pritchyk with 9 points.  The Cavaliers connected on 13 of 15 free throw opportunities. 

Tunkhannock was led by Dylan Mateus with 18 points (including 4 triples).  Ben Chilson netted 15 points and Shane Macko added 11 points.  The Tigers hit 2 of their 6 free throws opportunities.  Both teams will be back in action on Tuesday.  Scranton Prep will travel to play Williamsport and Tunkhannock will host Western Wayne.        

District 2 Boys (Final): Scranton Prep 59, Tunkhannock 56 pic.twitter.com/OwAyz5ANJO

— LLHoops Neast Beat (@LLHoopsNEPbeat) December 3, 2022

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