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District 2 Boys Game Recap (Wallenpaupack at Scranton)
 

District 2 Boys Game Recap (Wallenpaupack at Scranton)

Written by: Jon K on January 23, 2024

 

 

January 22, 2024

 

Knights Scorch Nets in Division Crossover Win

 

Scranton 75, Wallenpaupack 62

 

SCRANTON – Tony Battaglia and Matthew Barrett combined for 41 points and connected on 11 of Scranton’s 14 triples in the Knights’ 75-62 victory over Lackawanna League Division 2 leader Wallenpaupack Monday night.  The game featured a mostly frantic pace throughout as Scranton withstood several comeback attempts by the Buckhorns.  The Knights continue to get important scoring contributions off their bench.  While Barrett has been their catalyst all season, Jayden Burrell and Jaheam Roberts also teamed up for 13 points in this one.

The Buckhorns took an 8-4 advantage midway through the opening frame before Scranton caught fire from long-range and went on a 15-4 run (all triples).  Off the opening tip, both squads started off a bit slow in this one as Oliver Almonte made his second reverse layup to give Scranton a 4-3 edge three minutes into the game.  Kevin Wortmann hit a triple and Justin Blanding scored another basket to give ‘Paupack an 8-4 lead, their largest of the game.  In the closing 3:22 of the period, the Knights would connect on five treys, three from Battaglia and a pair from Barrett to seize a 19-12 lead. Blanding and Jake Holbert added scores for the Buckhorns. 

Jayden Burrell extended the Scranton lead to double-digits (24-14) with a 5-point spurt to open the second stanza, but the Buckhorns hung tough and stayed within striking distance as Holbert netted 11 points in the quarter.  Wortmann nailed a triple before Pedro Lugo got a putback to make it 26-17.  Holbert added a score and pair of free throws (26-21) but the Knights had a response on the other end with a foul shot by Lugo and driving bucket by Chris Chandler (29-21).  A triple by Holbert was followed by a free throw by Almonte plus another triple by Barrett off a ‘Paupack turnover (33-24).  Holbert cut the deficit to 33-26 at the break.

The Buckhorns began the third period on a 6-0 run reducing the deficit to a single point, 33-32, less than two minutes into the half.  Landon Calabrese got things going, Drew Kiesendahl added a jumper, and Holbert capped it off with a basket.  Lugo continued to display an impressive knack to help thwart every Buckhorn rally as he scored 6 key points (including a slam dunk off a turnover) while Battaglia added another pair of treys to give the Knights a 45-34 lead.  Jaheam Roberts then got into the action with a nice baseline drive and a trey wrapped around Buckhorn scores by Holbert and Jordan Santiago.  When Almonte converted a pair of free throws with just over a minute left in the frame, Scranton had grabbed a 57-42 lead.  Holbert and Battaglia traded triples as this one headed to the final period with Scranton in front, 60-47.

Barrett gave the Knights their largest lead of the game, 63-47, with a triple to open the final quarter, but Wallenpaupack refused to go away quietly as they narrowed it to 63-56 with a 9-0 run that got started with a triple by Calabrese.  Holbert then added a pair of free throws along with layups off a steal and Scranton turnover.  Barrett again steadied things for his team with yet another clutch triple, Scranton’s 14th of the night, midway through the frame.  A questionable offensive charge call that went against Almonte at the 3:32 mark and a rushed triple gave the Buckhorns a few more scoring opportunities.  Baskets by Holbert and Wortmann brought them within six points, 67-61, with under two minutes left in the game, but back-to-back scores by Barrett put the Knights back up 71-61 with a minute left.  Scranton was able to convert 4 of 6 free throws to secure the entertaining 75-62 win.

Scranton was led by Matthew Barrett with 21 points (3 triples) and Tony Battaglia with 20 points (6 triples).  Oliver Almonte and Pedro Lugo each added 9 points.  Jaheam Roberts, Jayden Burrell, and Chris Chandler teamed up for 16 points.  The Knights netted 14 triples and converted 11 of 17 free throws.

Wallenpaupack was paced by Jake Holbert with 28 points and Justin Blanding with 14 points.  Landon Calabrese and Kevin Wortmann each scored 8 points.  Drew Kiesendahl and Jordan Santiago combined for 4 points.  The Buckhorns hit 5 triples and made 9 of their 15 free throw opportunities.

Both teams hit the road for division road games on Thursday.  Scranton will travel to Valley View while Wallenpaupack plays at Western Wayne.  

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