District 2 Boys Recap (Abington Heights vs. Wyoming Valley West) Career Win #850 for Ken Bianchi
Written by: Jon K on December 19, 2022
December 19, 2022
Abington Heights Moves to 5-0 as Ken Bianchi Wins No. 850
Abington Heights 79, Wyoming Valley West 24
By Phil T.
A defensive eruption and an offensive explosion were on the docket tonight as Abington Heights totaled 59 points in the first half en route to their 79-24 victory over Wyoming Valley West.
A 21-8 lead after the opening eight minutes is a good quarter for most teams, but the Comets weren’t satisfied. Abington Heights turned the pressure up on the defensive and offensive side throughout the second frame.
The Comets would force 11 steals in the second stanza, score on every turnover as they staged runs of 8-0, 7-0 and then 9-0 as they went on to add 37 more points in the frame.
Abington Heights got a quick start via a Will Marion triple, but as the rest of the offense took time to warm up, WVW took the early advantage. Maki Wells used his size to grab his own miss and score on a putback, followed by a Zach Konopke steal and finish that would give the Spartans an early 4-3 lead.
However, that would be the only lead Valley West would see as the Comets retook and rebuilt the lead, over and over.
Ryan Nealon would spark his team’s first run, scoring 9 of the next 11 points that would see the home team take a double-digit lead.
Konopke’s triple would end the run and a Kaden Dittus trip to the foul line would close the gap to six points, 14-8. Nealon would get right back to work, scoring the last eight points of the frame and assist his team to pull away early in the second quarter.
The Comets would score 13 of the first 15 points in the second period that featured three solo steals and finishes, as they finished up 21-2 run over the opening 16 minutes.
Keius Walker, who dealt with foul trouble most of the night, put a halt to the Comets streak, but he couldn’t keep them down for long. AH would go on another scoring spurt, 18-5, as they built their lead to 30 points.
A last second triple from Patrick Walsh would give the Comets a 35-point advantage, invoking the mercy-rule running clock for the entirety of the second half.
The Comets starters would remain on the floor for less than four minutes after the break as they scored a total of 20 points in the second half, which was less than any of their quarter totals before halftime. The Spartans would pull their starters as well, but they wouldn’t be able to break the stout AH defense, failing to score in the third and fourth periods.
As the final buzzer sounded, one of the most soft-spoken, team-oriented coaches in the district became the center-of-attention as everyone celebrated Ken Bianchi’s 850th career coaching win. Bianchi currently ranks 25th nationally among active coaches in career victories.
You can point toward Abington Heights’ 2018 PIAA 5A State Title as Bianchi’s crowning moment, you can look at the 13 District 2 Championships, or maybe the 8 consecutive District 2 Titles (‘12-’19), but what Ken Bianchi is most proud of is the consistency he’s brought to the Abington Heights basketball program. And that consistency is known and respected around the state.
Post-game, Bianchi pointed out how teams can only play 22 regular season games and any extra games came during their deep district and state playoffs runs. But, over the years (not including the 2020-2021 COVID-19 affected season), the Comets have averaged 22.5 wins. “You can have a really good year and win the states, but I’m just proud of the consistency that we had.”
Ken Bianchi went on to say he was unaware he was approaching the 850-win mark until his assistant coaches pointed it out recently. “I don’t want to hear that. I want to win and if we win, it’s another win.”
Wyoming Valley West (0-4) enter tonight coming off a 59-21 loss at Scranton Prep last week. The Trojans are led by Zach Konopke with 51 points and 7 triples. pic.twitter.com/QgqqkNqQ0D
— Phillip Thrash (@ThrashPhillip) December 20, 2022
Abington Heights (4-0) come in tonight with a flawless record following their 64-33 win over Nanticoke. The Comets are led by Will Marion with 58 points and Ryan Nealon with 11 triples. pic.twitter.com/UJYOzUsKiY
— Phillip Thrash (@ThrashPhillip) December 20, 2022
Starting for Wyoming Valley West
3 Kenius Walter
13 Zach Konopke
33 Maki Wells
34 Jonathan Daniels
41 Lewis Emmanuel pic.twitter.com/nudxMwTTNP— Phillip Thrash (@ThrashPhillip) December 20, 2022
Starting for Abington Heights
10 Mason Fedor
12 Will Marion
22 Patrick Walsh
23 Ryan Nealon
44 Rob Lucas pic.twitter.com/ozqfzkGICS— Phillip Thrash (@ThrashPhillip) December 20, 2022
Marion gets the game started with a triple. pic.twitter.com/vGt97kXVIt
— Phillip Thrash (@ThrashPhillip) December 20, 2022
Dittus converts both his charity stripe chances to pull WVW closer, 8-14. pic.twitter.com/aJq3OhAW4q
— Phillip Thrash (@ThrashPhillip) December 20, 2022
Non-Conference (Boys)
End of 1st Quarter
Wyoming Valley West 8
Abington Heights 22
Nealon hits his second of two triples in the final seconds of the period. He also added a foul shot after a WVW tech late in the quarter.
Nealon scored 17 of the Comet’s 22 points in the quarter. pic.twitter.com/6cLuvgOT7a— Phillip Thrash (@ThrashPhillip) December 20, 2022
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