District 2 Boys Game Recap (Scranton Prep vs. Valley View)
Written by: Jon K on January 30, 2020
January 29, 2020
Cavaliers Outlast Cougars in Division Battle
Scranton Prep 61, Valley View 49
SCRANTON – One thing is for sure – when Scranton Prep and Valley View get together, fans are always in for a treat, 32 minutes of physical, intense basketball with plenty of momentum swings. This one did not disappoint as the Cavaliers rallied in the final period to win this round, 61-49.
The Cougars started out doing what they do best, using lots of terrific, crisp ball movement and finding close range, high percentage shots. Prep featured a Senior Night flavor to their starting lineup and only trailed 6-4 when some of their regular starters entered the game midway through the period. The Cougars would then use their speed to put together a 7-0 run, highlighted by a turnaround three-point play by Adam Howanitz. A basket by Brady Stallman would cut it to 13-6 at the end of the first quarter.
The Cougars began the second quarter with a steal and driving layup by Zack Kovalchik. Rhys Merritt would then get back-to-back field goals before a layup by Connor Kelley and a jumper by Nick Tomassoni gave Valley View their largest lead of the game, 19-10. The Cavaliers responded quickly with consecutive triples by Merritt and Michael Skoff. It was the start of a 17-4 spurt capped off by a 4-point play by Andrew Ferguson to send Prep into the locker room with a 27-23 lead.
Valley View established momentum immediately in the second half via a goaltending call and Tomassoni steal plus layup to tie the game at 27. Prep then countered with a 9-2 run that featured a nifty spin shot by Robert Rossi (a real spark when he entered their lineup), a steal and full court driving layup by Skoff, a Ferguson corner triple, and a basket by Gavin Bednarz. Add in a few terrific blocks by the Cavs and they had everything going their way leading 36-29. Well…not so fast. The Cougars would get three scores by Howanitz, a jumper from Tomassoni, and a pair of free throws by Kelley (from a technical on the Scranton Prep bench) to seize momentum right back and take a 39-36 lead into the final stanza. This one was turning into a slugfest.
To open the 4th quarter, another offensive boost by Rossi and triple by Skoff gave Scranton Prep the lead back and they extended it after Merritt hit a basket and pair of free throws at the 5:56 mark. The Cavaliers would clamp down and secure the 61-49 victory.
Andrew Ferguson had a huge game for Prep hitting 13 points in a reserve role while Rhys Merritt led the way with 15 points. The Cavs connected on 6 triples.
Adam Howanitz had a superb game for Valley View scoring 21 points while Zack Kovalchik and Nick Tomassino would each contribute 12 points.
Merritt cuts it to 15-10 pic.twitter.com/uHRe3hyB8D
— LLHoops Neast Beat (@LLHoopsNEPbeat) January 30, 2020
Skoff triple puts Prep up 20-19 with 10 run. pic.twitter.com/7LMbtgA31t
— LLHoops Neast Beat (@LLHoopsNEPbeat) January 30, 2020
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