District 2 Boys Game Wrap (Scranton vs. Crestwood)

Written by: Jon K on December 10, 2021

December 10, 2021

Fans Treated with Marquee Matchup on Opening Night

Scranton 69, Crestwood 64

By Phil Thrash

SCRANTON – ‘Tis the season… for high school hoops. Across the area, teams suited up for the first official game of the 2021-2022 hoops season and at the campus of Scranton High School, the Crestwood Comets and Knights showed all the fans just what we’ve been missing.

Both teams entered the night coming off district championships (Crestwood 5A and Scranton 6A) but each made an early exit from the truncated 2021 PIAA State Tournament. Crestwood fell to Chester in heartbreaking fashion while Scranton came up short against the eventual PIAA 6A State champs, Reading.

As both teams look to move past last season, a quick look around the warm-up drills indicated that there were not too many familiar. Crestwood graduated all five of its starters while Scranton returned two key pieces, including leading scorer Jason Shields.

New team, but the same Mark Atherton mentality was present on the floor as the Comet’s head coach had his team coming out the gate on fire. Led by their new arrival, Drew Sechleer, Crestwood was able to overcome eight lead changes in the opening frame to take a 20-17 lead into the second stanza. The Comets found themselves in a hole early in the game, but a well-placed timeout allowed them to regain their focus and go on an 8-0 run late in the frame.

Shields got the second quarter going with a triple that knotted the game up at 20 followed by A.J. Dinterman giving Scranton the lead with a drive to the hoop. Sechleer would hit his second triple of the half (on his way to five on the night) to tie the game up at 27 but Dillon Lazdowsky would follow-up with a triple of his own and a mid-range jumper to give the Knights a more decisive edge.

Coming out of the locker room, Rykee Cenord would maintain his team’s lead contributing on both ends of the floor. Cenord would finish the period with six points, three offensive rebounds and three steals – two of which made with drives to the basket. However, the Comets would not roll over as they ended the stanza on an 8-3 run to climb back within one bucket.

Shields and Arvel Chandler showed their versatility to start the last quarter as Shields assisted on both of Chandler treys to start the stanza. Then Dinterman would hit the Knights’ third consecutive triple and Shields would finish at the basket to give Scranton a 62-55 advantage with a little more than four minutes to play.

Later in the frame, Crestwood would find themselves trying to erase a four-point Scranton lead as the Knights held possession of the ball. After a Scranton timeout with 1:25 remaining, the Knights would work the ball around for the next 55 seconds which ultimately ended in a trip to the foul line for Shields. After converting his final of two chances, Bryce Vieney made his way for a quick basket, getting fouled in the process. The ensuing three-point play pulled the Comets back within three points but that was as close as they would get as Scranton moved to 1-0 on the season with a 69-64 victory.

Shields led all scorers with 22 points and nine rebounds in the contest. Chandler made contributions for Scranton all over the court securing six rebounds, dishing out four assists (leading to 11 points) to go with his 16 points on the night. A.J. Dinterman added 14 points in the Knights’ win.

After a season of not playing for MMI Prep last year due to the pandemic, new-arrival Drew Sechleer proved he did not lose his touch leading the Comets with 19 points. After several seasons of not having an ideal fit in the paint, Zayne Dunsmuir seems to have filled that role for Crestwood. Dunsmuir would finish the game with 12 points (all in the paint) and eight rebounds.

Early season rust or calls for concern? In a close game, a few bounces here or there can result in a different victor. It’s easy to see how free throw shooting had a direct impact on the final outcome. Scranton went 14-19, 5-6 in the fourth quarter, from the charity stripe, while their opponent failed to convert any of their seven attempts, including five in the final stanza.

Scranton looks to build upon this game as they travel to play Valley View on Monday night.

After featuring 11 different players on the floor tonight, the Comets will look to solidify their rotation when Nanticoke Area comes to their home court, also on Monday.