District 2 Boys Recap (Scranton Prep 67, Valley View 54)
Written by: Jon K on January 10, 2026
January 9, 2026
Cavaliers Snap Cougars Unbeaten Streak
Scranton Prep 67, Valley View 54
SCRANTON – After dropping two of their first three games against traditional state powerhouses from opposite corners of the state (including 15-0 Erie Prep), Scranton Prep used that experience to capture the talent-filled holiday Lynett Tournament on their way to a 6-game winning streak. As division play gets into full swing, the Cavaliers were set to host another red-hot team, 10-game unbeaten Valley View on Friday evening. The Cougars, a team that advanced to the PIAA 4A semi-finals a year ago, graduated all five starters from that squad and they have definitely over-achieved a bit, at least from most preseason expectations. While a share of first place in the Lackawanna Division 1 race was on the line in the immediate future, these rivals collided knowing that there is an even bigger prize awaiting in the very competitive District 2 AAAA playoff battle this year.
A near-capacity crowd filed into the Xavier Center as this one got underway. Scranton Prep could not get the ball through the hoop in the early going missing three triples, a handful of inside shots, and a few putbacks. Valley View, meanwhile, built an 8-0 lead through the first four minutes using terrific ball movement to get an inside score from Jagger Roe followed by triples by Michael Muto and Noah Symulski. The Cavs finally got on the scoreboard with a baseline jumper from Brody Martin and added layups from Chicky Skoff, Max McGrath, and Packy Doherty. The Cougars responded with scores by Jagger Roe and Cash Roe to make it 12-8 with two minutes left in the period. Packy Doherty hit a triple narrowing it to 12-11 before Cash Roe extended the Valley View edge to 14-11 with a minute left in the stanza. The patented Scranton Prep defense began to get into gear as they created a turnover and got a driving score by Alex Scanlan to cut it to a single point 14-13 heading into the second quarter.
Scranton Prep continued to shift momentum their way into the second quarter as they used a 13-2 run over a four-minute span to grab a 24-16 lead getting a traditional three-point play and corner triple from Packy Doherty followed by layups by Martin and Charlie Skoff. After a pair of free throws by Muto, the Cavs got another 6-0 spurt as Jimmy Doherty netted a corner triple and Packy Doherty made a spectacular drive for a basket and converted the “and 1” for a 30-18 advantage. The Cougars made the most of their opportunities hitting 5 of 8 free throws. Jimmy Doherty made a strong drive to the hoop to grab a 36-24 halftime advantage before Max McGrath made a block on Colin Witkowski at the other end just before the buzzer.
The Cavs opened the second half with a nice drive to the hoop by Chicky Skoff and then Martin showed some toughness under the basket scoring on his own putback to take a seemingly commanding 40-24 lead. But, to their credit, Valley View showed flashes of just why they earned a lofty 10-0 mark coming into the contest going on a 9-2 run to cut it to 42-33 halfway through the period. Symulski scored off a Scranton Prep turnover and the Cougars continued to get to the charity stripe. A Valley View turnover resulted in a baseline drive by Martin and nifty dish off to Alex Scanlan in the lane for the score. Martin added a triple as the Cavaliers took a 49-36 lead into the final frame.
Muto cut it to 49-38 to open the fourth, but Packy Doherty took charge scoring seven consecutive points (of his 13 in the quarter) for SP as they grabbed their largest lead of the game, 56-40, to the delight of their home crowd fans. Cash Roe continued to play well for the Cougars netting 10 points in the stanza (going 4-4 on the foul line). The game closed out with Charlie Skoff scoring on a fast break for Prep while a putback by Cash Roe made the final score 67-54.
Scranton Prep was led by Packy Doherty with 28 points (4 triples). Brody Martin was also in double figures with 11 points. Max McGrath, Alex Scanlan, Chicky Skoff, Jimmy Doherty, Charlie Skoff, and Liam Haggerty combined for 28 points. The Cavaliers netted 6 triples and converted 7 of 12 free throws.
Valley View was paced by Cash Roe with 20 points while Noah Symulski added 11 points. Jagger Roe, Aidan Plotkin, Michael Muto, and Colin Witkowski combined for 23 points. The Cougars hit a pair of triples and made 18 of 24 free throws.
Both teams return to Lackawanna League Division 1 action on Tuesday night. Scranton Prep (4-0) will travel to face another mega-showdown against top-rival Abington Heights (4-0). Get there early to get into that one. Valley View (2-1) will host Delaware Valley (2-2).
Follow LLhoops on Twitter @LLhoops
