District 2 Girls’ Recap (Scranton Prep 55, Scranton 46)

Written by: Jon K on January 4, 2026

January 2, 2026

Classics Top Lady Knights as League Play Resumes

Scranton Prep 55, Scranton 46

SCRANTON – In what may be the most balanced Girls’ division in District 2 this season, every Lackawanna Division 1 game is important, from early January right through mid-February. For Scranton Prep and Scranton, there is plenty of underclassmen talent on each of the squads (no seniors in either starting lineup). Coming off their semi-final victory over Scranton Prep in the Lynett Tournament a week earlier and championship win over Dunmore, the Scranton Lady Knights rode into 2026 red-hot despite their modest 3-6 overall mark. Friday night they took the short trek across Scranton to again battle Scranton Prep. The Classics a perennial powerhouse among local girls’ teams graduated all five starters, but returned enough experience and depth to definitely challenge for yet another division title. Buckle up, this is going to be a fun race.

While Scranton Prep grabbed early control in this one, Scranton rallied for a brief lead in the second quarter and appeared to seize momentum in the third before this one went back and forth into the final period. In the final two minutes, Prep took control via a 6-0 run to secure the hard fought 55-46 win. While there were miscues on both end of the floor, both teams played excellent defense that got their offense into gear.

The Classics jumped out to a 9-0 lead which started out with back-to-back scores inside by Eva Kaszuba, the first via a nifty pass from Kamyl Lynady. Ava Fenton got a fast break layup off one of several early turnovers by the Lady Knights before versatile Chloe Mamera hit a floater capping the run. Scranton got on the scoreboard with a putback by Abby Stalica and keyed a 6-0 spurt with Chrissy Jackinski dazzling with a spin layup. Fenton continued her strong effort in the first period with a pair of layups wrapped around an inside score by Kori Ortiz as Scranton Prep took a 13-9 edge into the second stanza.

The Classics extended the lead to 15-9 as Mamera showcased her abilities with a layup off a terrific feed from Shannon Bestrycki followed by a blocked perimeter shot on Rhylee Bell. Things then heated up after several missed shots and turnovers by Prep resulted in Scranton taking their first lead of the game, 16-15, three minutes into the period. Jacklinski and Bell got that run going with strong drives to the basket followed by Jacklinski connecting on her first triple of the game. Kaszuba then took control for the Classics in the final four minutes as her steal led to a wide-open layup by Fenton to regain the lead for SP, 17-16. Teams traded baskets (Jaelyn Alers for Scranton and a nice drive by Mamera) before Kaszuba nailed a triple and another score for a 24-18 advantage. The half ended as Jacklinski netted another triple followed by a layup at the buzzer as Scranton Prep took a 26-21 lead into the locker room.

The second half began with some sloppy play, a combination of turnovers and poor shots, through almost half of the period. Things changed quickly over the next half-minute as Bell hit a putback and Jacklinski converted an “and 1” to knot things up at 26 at the 4:01 mark. Jackinski then completed the 8-0 run as she picked up a loose ball that seemed to roll right to her on the perimeter for another triple to take a 29-26 lead. Prep stopped the momentum briefly as Fenton hit a pair of free throws before a floater by Alers at the 1:40 mark again gave the Lady Knights a three-point edge (31-28). This one continued to entertain as the Classics rallied to grab the lead back (32-31) as Mamera hit a layup followed by a Fenton’s “Play of the Game” a fantastic driving move and scoop layup. The final minute was capped off with teams trading deep corner triples (Bestrycki for SP and Bell for Scranton) as Prep held a 35-34 edge heading into the final eight minutes.

Bell scored along the baseline to give what would be Scranton’s final lead of the game, 36-35. Kaszuba then made a layup for the Classics followed by a pair of free throws by Fenton with 5:39 left to give SP a 39-36 lead. After Bell hit a floater off a SP turnover, Jacklinski was called with a charge. And while not a defining moment in the game, every possession was critical with only 4:21 remaining. Prep extended their lead to 43-38 as Lynady began to play a key role. An electric “and 1” opportunity off a deep corner triple by Alers was not converted but brought the Lady Knights within one score (43-41) with 2:49 left. A floater down the lane that banked in by Bianka Perez made it 44-43 before an absolute clutch triple by Lynady gave Prep a 47-43 edge. They expanded it to 49-43 off a driving layup by Kaszuba. Alers would then nail her second triple of the quarter from long range to draw Scranton within four points, 50-46 with 36 seconds remaining, but Scranton Prep would go on to secure the 55-46 win from the charity stripe in a game that much closer than the final score indicated.

Scranton Prep was paced by Ava Fenton with 18 points, Eva Kaszuba with 15 points, and Chloe Mamera with 11 points. Shannon Bestrycki, Kamyl Lynady, and McKenna Toolan combined for 11 points. The Classics connected on 12 of 19 free throws and made 3 triples.‘

Scranton was led by Chrissy Jacklinski with 18 points, Rhylee Bell with 11 points, and Jaelyn Alers with 10 points. Bianka Perez, Kori Ortiz, and Abby Stalica teamed up for 7 points. The Lady Knights netted 6 triples and converted 4 of 7 free throws.

Both teams return to division play Monday night with challenging matchups. Scranton Prep (2-0) travels to take on North Pocono (1-1) while Scranton (0-2) finds themselves facing a pivotal home game against Abington Heights (2-0).