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District 2 Championship Recaps (Boys 4A, 5A, 6A and Girls 5A)
 

District 2 Championship Recaps (Boys 4A, 5A, 6A and Girls 5A)

Written by: Jon K on March 7, 2023

 

 

District 2 Boys AAAAA Championship

 

Abington Heights Claims First District Title in 4 Years

 

Abington Heights 60, West Scranton 38

 

By Phil T.

WILKES-BARRE TOWNSHIPWest Scranton’s amazing district championship run came to a screeching halt at the hands of familiar division foe, Abington Heights.

It only took two field-goals for the Comets to capture the decisive lead as they walked to their 60-38 championship win.

Both teams entered the contest with plenty of knowledge of each other and neither was willing to give any ground.  The game would remain scoreless for the opening three minutes as both squads played very physical defense.

A 1 for 2 trip to foul line from Ryan Nealon at the 4:45 mark would get the scoring started and an ensuing triple from Chris Ogden would finally get the Invaders onto the scoreboard.

Nealon would later hit a triple followed by an Evan Laybourn-Boddie layup that made it a 6-5 game late in the opening frame.

Abington Heights would end the frame on a scoring spree in part via another triple from Nealon along with a trey from Will Marion to give the Comets a 14-5 lead.  Nealon and Marion kept the run going into the second quarter as the Comets capped a 13-0 run between the opening frames.

A layup from Tristian Lee and a putback bucket from Zach Lloyd would slow the Comet’s offense, but only temporarily.

Abington Heights displayed tough defense in the opening stanza, but they took it to another level in the second quarter as they came up with six steals in the period totaling ten in the first half.  Their next level defense sparked the Comets onto 8-0 and 7-2 runs allowing them to extend their lead throughout the first half.

Abington Heights showed off their dominance throughout the first half.  Mason Fedor went a perfect 4-4 in the paint swatting away two Invader shot attempts.  Expanding beyond the paint, the Comets shot 44% (4-9) from beyond the arc in the half.  Their offense would benefit from some excellent passing as their four assists helped enable them to take a 30-14 lead into the locker room. 

West would get their offense into gear after the halftime break.  Buckets from Lee and Laybourn-Boddie would give them seven unanswered points.  However, the Invader run would be sandwiched in between 6-0 and 5-0 Comet runs.

Laybourn-Boddie and Ogden would hit back-to-back triples to start the final stanza, but the deficit would still remain at 16 and prove too insurmountable for the Invaders as Abington Heights would finish their district title win.

Ryan Nealon led all scorers with 19 points while shooting 78% (7-9) from the field, including converting five of his six attempts from beyond the arc, for Abington HeightsWill Marion made his impact felt on both sides of the ball as he added 18 points on the offensive end and came up with five steals on the defensive side.  Mason Fedor scored 14 points, brought down seven rebounds and played a key role in slowing down the Invader’s attack in the paint.

West Scranton was led by Evan Laybourn-Boddie with 13 points.  Tristian Lee scored eight points and secured eight rebounds in the loss.

With previous wins in the semi-finals, Abington Heights and West Scranton already secured their spots in the upcoming PIAA State Tournament.  Abington Heights will host the fourth seed from District 12, Murrell Dobbins Tech and West Scranton will host the third seed from District 12, West Philadelphia, in the first round of the PIAA State First Round on March 10.

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District 2 Boys AAAA Championship

 

Prep Flips the Script to Secure District Title

 

Scranton Prep 51, Valley View 43

 

By Phil T.

WILKES-BARRE TOWNSHIPValley View was able to erase a first half double-digit deficit and take a 33-29 lead into the final frame, but untimely struggles from the foul line saw Scranton Prep recapitalize and secure the 51-43 district title win.

Three different Cougars would head to line charity stripe in the final stanza and walk away empty handed as Valley View shot converted only 3 of 11 attempts from the foul line down the stretch.  Conversely, Scranton Prep converted 11 of their 15 attempts from the line over the same span.

The Cougars were able to withstand Prep on defense, preventing any of their first three shots from falling to draw first blood with a Kyle Rupp layup.  Slowing the Cav’s offense wouldn’t last for long as Ambrose Rossi would excerpt his prowess in the paint and Chase Scanlan would show off his lethal range to send them on an 8-2 run.

Rupp would answer back with fine work in the paint and Taheed Jewell would pick up a point at the foul line to pull the game to within one, 8-7.  Scranton Prep would answer back with four successful foul shots that ultimately led them to a 12-9 at the first horn.

Daniel Santaniello would show off his range to start the ensuing frame with a triple and mid-range fade shot.  A mid-range jumper from Eli Yusavage would slow the Cav’s run, but Santaniello would answer back with his second triple of the quarter and Scanlan would cap the Prep run with a drive to the hoop.  The 10-2 scoring spree gave them a double-digit lead, 22-11.

The Cougars’ offense would finally get in the groove as they ended the half on a 10-2 run of their own.

Rupp got the run started with another bucket from the paint, AJ Kucharski would pick up two points from the charity stripe and another bucket in the paint from Yusavage would regain some momentum for the Cougars.  The Cavs hoped that James Pettinato’s runner would spark some life back into the offense, but it would ultimately be their last score of the half as the Cougars would end the frame with four foul shots and send the teams in the locker room separated by three points, 24-21, to Scranton Prep’s advantage.

As both teams retook the court, momentum swung the only way, in Valley View’s favor.  As Rossi drove to the basket, Kucharski would pop the ball loose and he threw it down the court leading to a Pegula breakaway layup for the second half’s opening score.  Yusavage would convert both his attempts at the foul line, which erased a once double-digit deficit and gave the Cougars a 27-24 lead via their 6-0 spurt.

A Brycen Martin basket would eventually get the Cavs on the board in the second half, but it would only be the first of two field-goals for Scranton Prep in the third quarter.  Roman Valvano would hit a triple to end the frame but the damage had been done and Prep’s lead had been reversed into a 33-29 Valley View advantage.

In between scores by Martin and Valvano, Jewell and Kucharski would score six more points for their side that capped a massive 22-4 run over the middle frames.

Scranton Prep committed seven team fouls in the third quarter sending the Cougars into the foul shot bonus for the entirety of the final stanza.  Often the team in the bonus begins to pull away with the excessive scoring chances, however, the Cougars would struggle mightily from the line and their opponent took full advantage.

Yusavage would head to the line for three foul shots to start the final stanza, but he could only convert one of them as Rossi, Scanlan and Martin all chipped in to send the Cavs on a 6-0 run to start the frame.

Yusavage would end the run with a layup that also put the Cougars back on top, 36-35.

Scranton Prep wouldn’t stay down for long as Santaniello would tie the game from the charity stripe, then Rossi and Martin would follow with field-goals of their own to give the Cavs their decisive lead.

With under a minute to play, Yusavage would drain a triple and a putback bucket that cut the deficit down to a single score, but Scranton Prep would ultimately persevere and win the district championship with a 51-43 scoreline.

Brycen Martin led Scranton Prep to victory with 14 points, including 12 in the final quarter, while bringing down six rebounds.  Daniel Santaniello added 13 points and played a vital role in establishing the Cav’s lead early in the contest.

Eli Yusavage led all scorers with 20 points in the contest for the CougarsAJ Kucharski scored seven points, while bringing down five rebounds and forcing three steals.

Both teams now turn their eyes to the upcoming PIAA State Tournament.  Scranton Prep will host the fourth seed from District 3, Octorara, and Valley View will host the third seed from District 4, Shamokin, on March 10.

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District 2 Girls AAAAA Championship

 

Booth Leads Lady Pats to District Crown

 

Pittston Area 36, Abington Heights 32

 

by Phil T.

WILKES-BARRE TOWNSHIP – An Abington Height three-peat seemed within reach as they carried the lead from the end of the opening frame into the fourth quarter.  The script, however, would be rewritten as Kallie Booth took control in the final stanza, retaking the lead and scoring all 12 of Pittston Area’s points down the stretch en route to the 36-32 district championship victory.

It was off night for both teams in the district final rematch from a year ago.  The Lady Patriots entered the game with the top seed but saw a zero on the scoreboard until halfway through the opening quarter.

A Madison Zalewski triple got the Lady Comets on the board, but their offense also failed to kick start.  Scoring would be limited until late in the stanza when the lead changed hand several times.

Daniella Ranieli would spot the Lady Patriots a 7-5 lead after a successful trip to the foul line, but a mid-range jumper from Zalewski and a Maggie Coleman triple would put the Comets back in front.  Maddie Karp would clean up her teammate’s miss with a putback bucket before the end of the quarter, but Abington Heights would have the upper-hand, 10-9.

Zalewski would set out to give her team some breathing space in the ensuing quarter.  She started the frame by getting a putback bucket and then added a triple later to give her side a 15-9 advantage.

The Lady Pats wouldn’t back down as Ranieli got the offense going with a floater and Booth followed it with a triple, while getting fouled, to complete the rare four-point play and tie the game at 15.

Just before the halftime intermission, the Lady Comets would find their shooting groove again as buckets from Peyton Houlihan and Coleman, in addition to Zalewski’s third triple of the half, gave AH a 7-0 run.  Booth would make a field-goal just before the break, but it wasn’t enough to cut into the deficit as the Lady Comets were in control, 23-17.

The game appeared to be heating up with an Ava Callahan triple to start the second half, but both sides would only convert two more field-goals apiece in the third stanza as AH maintained a 27-24 edge.

With the Lady Comets eight minutes away from completing their district title three-peat, Kate Scoblick got the final quarter rolling with a mid-range jumper.  Looking back, that would be their second-to-last field-goal of the game as the Abington’s offense went quiet.

After missing her opening attempt in the quarter, Kallie Booth would catch the hot-hand and make her final three shots of the contest and convert four of her six attempts at the line.

Booth started the run with a triple to cut the deficit to two points and answered right back with another triple that changed the lead for the final time.  She would make a layup while getting fouled on her next attempt to increase the Pittston Area lead to three, 32-29.

After Booth could only convert one foul shot, Maggie Coleman would drain a triple, cutting the deficit to a single point with less than a minute to play.

Booth would go on to drain her next four attempts from the charity stripe as Abington Heights would be unable to drain a field-goal leading Pittston Area to its first District 2 AAAAA title.

Kallie Booth led all scorers with 21 points including 12 in the final quarter and ended a rebound shy of double-double with 9.  Daniella Ranieli added eight points in the contest for the Lady Patriots.

Madison Zalewski led the Lady Comets with 13 points all coming in the first half.  Maggie Coleman recorded eight points and Peyton Houlighan added seven with both bringing down five rebounds.

With both teams heading to the upcoming PIAA State Tournament Pittston Area will host the fourth seed from District 12, Samuel Fels, and Abington Heights will host the third seed from District 12, Archbishop Ryan, on March 11.

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District 2/4 Boys AAAAAA Championship

 

Scranton Did it Again

 

Scranton 69, Williamsport 64

 

By Phil T.

WILKES-BARRE TOWNSHIP – For the third consecutive season Scranton hoisted the D2/4 6A Championship with a win over Williamsport.  This one was a bit more of a stunner to many people, but not for the Knights.   

Twice during first half the Millionaires held a double-digit lead leaving the Knight’s chances appearing of repeating concerning at best, but they refocused their strategy and were able to overcome their deficit on the way to a 69-64 win.

Williamsport set the tempo from the start, all gas – no brakes.  The Millionaires caught Scranton off guard as they sprinted to an 8-0 lead with buckets from Caleb Fausnaught, Caden Holt, Jakiha Kline and George Whaley.

Oliver Almonte was able to use his size to secure an offensive board and convert the score; he would add another bucket in the paint.  The momentum wouldn’t last in Scranton’s favor as ‘Port was quick to get back to their attack.

Chris White got the Millionaire offense rolling again with a reverse-layup, followed by a triple and layup from Whaley to give their side another scoring spree that pushed their lead to 11 points early, 15-4.

A Jaheam Roberts layup would put an end to the lethal Millionaire attack.  Tony Battaglia would follow up his teammate with a triple that brought the game closer into reach at the end of the opening stanza, 15-9.

Kline would get fouled on a shot attempt to start the second quarter, after missing both of his attempts at the charity stripe.  After only missing a single shot in 11 chances in the semi-final victory over Delaware Valley, the Millionaires would only convert three of their nine chances at the foul line in the period and shoot 41% (13-32) in the game.

Both teams would trade another bucket until Williamsport struck again, lightning quick.  Whaley and Thomas Takach would hit back-to-back shots from beyond the arc as the Cherry and White built another double-digit lead, 23-12.

After taking a second to reset, Scranton’s offense began to change.  No longer were they trying to match the incredibly quick pace of Williamsport, the Knights began to set the tempo and it would prove to be one of the most pivotal moments in the game.  A triple from Battaglia would provide immediate results.

Four successful strikes from the charity stripe from Dillon Lazdowsky would allow the Knights to keep up with Jamire Harden and Takach buckets for the Millionaires.

Although the Knights couldn’t mount a scoring run, they were able to make up ground before the half with consistent shooting from the field and Williamsport’s subpar foul shooting.

Triples from Roberts and PJ Murphy, with only a single Whaley free-throw in between, allowed Scranton to trim the deficit down to three points.

Both teams would trade additional buckets until a Murphy breakaway layup in the dying seconds would set both teams a point apart.  Williamsport would still remain on top as both teams took off for the locker rooms, 32-31.

The Knights would keep up the pressure when both teams returned.  Lazdowksy would start the second half with a floater that put Scranton ahead for the first time.

Fausnaught would temporarily tie the game from the charity stripe, but Almonte would quickly put the Knights at the line on the other side of the court.

After an empty Millionaire trip to the free throw line, Battaglia would hit a triple only to see Holt hit his three-point jumper at the other end.  Roberts and Whaley would both make layups while getting fouled, only Whaley would be able to convert his foul shot attempt, cutting the deficit down to a single point, 40-39.

A Murphy triple and Almonte putback bucket would give Scranton a six-point edge, but the Millionaires would quickly respond with two buckets of their own from Whaley and Lake.

Another Almonte field-goal would ultimately give Scranton a 47-44 advantage as the game progressed into the final stanza.

The Knights would continue to dictate the tempo of the game and assert their physical defense although it led to foul trouble, but it kept the Millionaires from finding open shots and forced them to shoot from the foul line.

Lazdowsky led Scranton to a 13-4 run to open the fourth stanza with a triple.  The Knights would continue to grow their lead to as much as 12 (67-55) with less than 30 seconds on the clock.  Whaley would drain two triples and Holt would add another in quick succession, but it would only amount to a closer final score as the Knights celebrated their 69-64 victory.

Scranton’s balanced attack allowed four scorers to achieve double-digit points, led by Dillon Lazdowsky and Oliver Almonte with 13 apiece.  Almonte shutdown the paint on the defensive side with seven blocks and five rebounds.  Tony Battaglia added 12 points in the contest and Jaheem Roberts recorded ten points and seven rebounds.

George Whaley recorded a game-high 31 points for WilliamsportWhaley caused the Knights fits throughout the game as he forced six steals and brought down five boards.  Caden Holt recorded 12 points in the game.

For the first time in many years, the District 2/4 6A tournament will send both finalists to the upcoming PIAA State Tournament.  Scranton will face the ninth seed from District 1, Coatesville, and Williamsport will visit the third seed from District 1, Lower Merion, on March 11.

 

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