District 2 Girls Game Recap (Valley View at Abington Heights)

Written by: Jon K on January 13, 2024

January 13, 2024

Strong Second Half Start Propels Lady Comets to Win

Abington Heights 56, Valley View 44

by Jon K.

CLARKS SUMMIT – Division 1 of the Lackawanna League is filled with some of the more talented girls’ teams across District 2. With much of the attention focused on front-runners Scranton (undefeated) and Scranton Prep, there was a definitely an element of urgency on Saturday afternoon as Abington Heights entertained Valley View. Both of these squads want to stay in the division race and earn a home game when district playoffs roll around next month. The Lady Comets used a 12-2 run to pull ahead in the first quarter, but it was their 11-0 spurt out of halftime that helped secure an important 56-44 victory. Triples were not raining in this tilt (teams combined for only 3) with the majority of points netted in the paint. The Lady Cougars love driving to the bucket (and they do it well) while AH impressed with several pinpoint (and no-look) passes for wide open scoring opportunities in close range.

The new video scoreboards (on the gym wall to the right of each basket) were an unexpected surprise and definitely a long overdue facility upgrade. Shot clock boards are now also above each basket (with score and clock time). One very minor complaint – the clock time disappearing from all boards during timeouts – but they’ll be working on how to get that adjusted.

Things started out a bit sloppy for both squads. Valley View grabbed a 2-0 lead on a basket by Emma Maddage. Lady Comet senior center Peyton Houlihan then got into some early foul trouble less than two minutes into the contest after a charging call. After Madison Zalewski tied the game, Valley View took a 6-2 lead following a spin move in the lane by sophomore Ava Gazoo and Ella Cooper getting a layup off a loose ball in the lane. AH senior guard Emily McDonald and Gazoo traded baskets at the three-minute mark to make it 8-4. Abington Heights would finish the first stanza on an impressive 12-2 run. Senior playmaker Kate Scoblick got things going with a pair of free throws followed by a layup. Zalewski would add another layup before junior guard Giada Costa scored but missed the “and 1” opportunity for VV. In the final minute, McDonald and Kate Scoblick would complete the run sending the Lady Comets into the second quarter leading 16-10.

Valley View settled down and played even with the Lady Comets through the next frame, cutting the deficit to a single score several times, but never drawing even. Cora Castellani got VV on the board. Costa added a free throw following a miss and turnover by AH to cut it to 16-13. Zalewski and Gazoo traded baskets followed by a pair of free throws by McDonald for a 20-15 AH lead midway through the period. Costa and Maddage combined to cut the deficit to two points several times in the closing moments of the first half (20-18, 22-20 and 26-24), but the balanced AH attack (McDonald, Zalewski and Kate Scoblick) responded to keep the Lady Comets in front at the break, 28-24. Both sides had some unforced turnovers, but this one was living up to expectations.

Abington Heights stormed out of intermission with an 11-0 run as four different players got scores – Kate Scoblick in the lane, Zaleski, triple by Maggie Coleman, and McDonald inside – making it 39-24 midway through the period. The Lady Cougars rallied out of a timeout going on their own 9-0 burst cutting the gap to a more manageable 6 points. 39-33. After Maddage halted the AH run and Costa added a free throw, Castellani nailed back-to-back triples. As quickly as momentum had swung toward VV, a Lady Cougar turnover at the 1:17 mark helped key a 6-0 AH run to end the period with scores by Madeleine Walsh and McDonald (who netted her game-high 18 points through three quarters). AH entered the final period with a 45-33 advantage.

Abington Heights maintained their double-digit lead through the final quarter which began with a nifty driving scoop shot by Coleman as the Lady Comets closed out the 56-44 victory.

Abington Heights was paced by Emily McDonald with 18 points. Madison Zalewski played steady throughout the game and added 16 points. Kate Scoblick was also in double figures with 10 points. Maggie Coleman, Madeleine Walsh, and Lily Scoblick combined for 12 points. They hit one triple and converted 13 of 16 free throw opportunities.

Valley View was led by Giada Costa with 11 points and Ava Gazoo with 10 points. Cora Castellani and Emma Maddage each netted 8 points. Sadie Cardoni, Ella Cooper, and Daniella Ashby combined to score 7 points. The Lady Cougars connected on 2 triples and made 4 of their 9 free throw opportunities.

Abington Heights improves to 8-4 overall (2-2 in division play) and will visit Division 2 contender Western Wayne Tuesday night. Valley View dropped to 6-6 overall (0-3 in division action) and will host Scranton Prep on Tuesday evening.

pic.twitter.com/goDiOdWRMc

— LLHoops Neast Beat (@LLHoopsNEPbeat) January 13, 2024

Abington Heights takes their first lead, 10-8 on basket by Zalewski pic.twitter.com/SswiJ4WOtm

— LLHoops Neast Beat (@LLHoopsNEPbeat) January 13, 2024