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District 2 Girls Game Reap (Scranton Prep vs. Abington Heights)
 

District 2 Girls Game Reap (Scranton Prep vs. Abington Heights)

Written by: Jon K on January 6, 2023

 

 

January 5, 2023

 

Scranton Prep Finds Shooting Touch to Defeat Top Rival

 

Scranton Prep 40, Abington Heights 21

 

SCRANTON – Watching a Scranton Prep Girls’ basketball game can sometimes seem as routine as reading the instructions on a bottle of shampoo – Wash. Rinse. Repeat.  Their swarming, trapping defense can often overwhelm an opponent and lead to a parade of points on the offensive end of the court.  On Thursday evening at the Xavier Center against top division rival Abington Heights, that recipe ran into a few early roadblocks as some intense defense by the Lady Comets challenged their opponent to beat them from the perimeter.  And for much of the first half that formula worked as the Classics struggled to find their shooting touch.  However, a triple before halftime by senior guard Gianna Cafarella (second of five in the game) seemed to break the ice and ignite the Classics as they went on to gain a 40-21 victory giving Scranton Prep sole possession of first place in Lackawanna League Division 1 play.

Abington Heights found some early success getting a layup from junior guard Madison Zalewski and give-and-go layup by senior playmaker Caroline Murray.  Add in a nice block by 6-0 junior Kate Scoblick on Prep’s senior forward Rita Collins had the Lady Comets playing with confidence and leading (4-3) well into the first period.  However, a pair of free throws by Collins at the 2:34 mark would give the Classics a 5-4 lead, one which they would maintain throughout the rest of the contest.  Sophomore guard Claire McGrath would get the Prep fast break game going by adding a driving bank layup to give the Classics a 7-4 lead heading into the second stanza.         

The Comets got a nifty spinning lay-in by sophomore guard Maggie Coleman to cut the deficit to 7-6 – and they would have several more opportunities to retake the lead – but some unforced turnovers began to add up.  The Classics, having their own, outside shooting woes, got their offense going by driving to the basket.  Sophomore guard Jenna Hillebrand got a driving layup and putback before a full court drive by Collins resulted in a 3-point play and 14-6 lead.  Collins would then score off another AH turnover before Cafarella nailed a triple to end the first half and send the Classics to the locker room with a 19-6 advantage.

Cafarella would bookend another trey around intermission to cap off a 15-0 run for the Classics.  The Lady Comets would hault the Prep scoring streak with a layup by Scoblick and running bank shot by Murray.  The Classics responded with a basket by sophomore guard Maya Jenkins and another triple by Cafarella to go up by 17 (27-10).  Back-to-back triples by Murray brought AH to within 27-16 before sophomore forward Bella Dennebaum and Jenkins gave Scranton Prep a 31-16 lead heading into the final period.

Abington Heights started off the final stanza with a 3-point play from 6-foot junior Peyton Houlihan to cut the gap to 12 points (31-19) but that’s as close as they would get as the Classics would then go on a 9-0 run.  In that final spurt, the Classics’ defense was rolling as they got a steal and full court driving layup by Collins, another trey by Cafarella, a strong drive by Collins, and pair of free throws by Cafarella for the 40-21 victory. 

Scranton Prep was paced by Gianna Cafarella with 17 points (including 5 triples) and Rita Collins with 11 points.  Maya Jenkins, Jenna Hillebrand, Claire McGrath, and Bella Dennebaum combined to score 12 points.  The Classics were perfect from the charity stripe hitting all 5 of their opportunities.

Abington Heights was led by Caroline Murray with 10 points.  Maggie Coleman, Peyton Houlihan, Madison Zaleski, and Kate Scoblick teamed up to contribute 11 points.  The Lady Comets converted 1 of their 3 free throw opportunities.

Scranton Prep (8-0) will continue their non-league slate on Saturday as they travel to play at Red Bank Catholic (NJ).  The Caseys are also undefeated (8-0) and are #8 state-ranked by NJ.com.  The Classics will continue league play on Monday as they visit North Pocono.  Abington Heights (6-4) will visit Valley View on Monday.   

LLHoops would like thank the Scranton Prep Athletic Department for their assistance during our game coverage.     

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