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District 2 Girls Game Recap (Scranton Prep vs. Dunmore)
 

District 2 Girls Game Recap (Scranton Prep vs. Dunmore)

Written by: Jon K on January 24, 2021

 

 

January 23, 2021

 

Scranton Prep Extends Winning Streak to 29 Games

 

Scranton Prep 50, Dunmore 45

 

By Phil T.

DUNMORE – It was the most anticipated game in local girls’ basketball for weeks.  Two perennially stellar programs with lofty expectations – and you could count the number of people in attendance on your fingers.  Welcome to District 2 hoops, Covid-19 style.  Although the pandemic has changed the way we all view the action on the court, it has not diminished the intensity of the action or the passion to succeed.  Scranton Prep and Dunmore delivered yet another memorable game as fans tuned in via social media and streaming video as both teams hoping for a deep run into the PIAA State Tournament. 

Without any pre-game excitement from the crowd, players from both squads harnessed the energy from their teammates and delivered it onto the hardwoods.  This was a tightly contested game throughout, with the Lady Bucks having chances to tie the game with in the closing minute, but solid defense from the Classics kept Ciera Toomey from converting a shot and a final steal from Cecelia Collins put an exclamation mark on a 50-45 win for Scranton Prep.

This matchup also featured offensive spurts and defensive gems by both teams.  The Lady Bucks survived a 15-5 run by the Classics and appeared to gain commanding momentum with their own 26-9 rally.  In the end, Scranton Prep regrouped and used another impressive 13-0 streak to put this one just out of reach for the home team. 

In the opening stanza, the Classics gained an advantage on triples from Cecelia Collins and Maria Belardi in the closing seconds.  Rachael Rose would extend the lead to 10 points (26-16) into the following frame with back-to-back steals leading to buckets from Collins and Rose.

The Lady Bucks were able to stop the Prep momentum scoring four points in the final minute of the first half to close the gap to six points (26-20) heading into the locker rooms.  That spurt would carry over after the break.

A quick triple from Moriah Murray to start the second half provided the spark Dunmore needed as they went on a 16-4 run to open the second half and build a 36-30 lead.  That run included a pair of triples from Murray and one each from Elisa Delfino and Mia Blume.    

Another triple from Blume with 6:56 remaining in the game gave the Lady Bucks their biggest lead, but the Classics clamped down on defense and held Dunmore scoreless for the next six minutes.

A Meredith Purcell mid-range jumper sparked a 13-0 Prep run. highlighted by triples from Rose and Collins that would give the Classics a 43-42 advantage with 4:40 left.  They extended it to 48-42 via a Collins steal and driving layup with one minute remaining.   

Blume’s pair of triples, one at the 6:56 mark and the other with 37 ticks left, book-ended what was a frustrating stanza for the Lady Bucks.

Dunmore found success from beyond the arc all night, converting 11 shots.  On the other side of the 3-point line, the Lady Bucks struggled, only making four field goals in middle periods and none in the first and final periods.

Scranton Prep only had four players on the scoresheet, highlighted by 20-point performances each from Collins and Rose.  Belardi would add her six points in the opening period and Purcell would add her four in the second half.

Murray would score 14 points for the Lady Bucks.  Toomey added add 10 points and 8 rebounds while Blume scored all nine of her points in the second half.

With Scranton Prep’s win they move to 2-0 on the young season.  In the previous two seasons, the victor of this game has moved onto the PIAA State Tournament with an undefeated record.  This game is definitely a barometer of future success.

Entering this season, the Dunmore girls’ basketball had been reclassified by the PIAA into the 4A classification, same as Scranton Prep, setting up the possibility of these teams meeting again in March with the stakes being much higher – only district champions will be advancing to this year’s modified state tournament.

Scranton Prep’s next scheduled game is a visit from Western Wayne on Monday, January 25th.

Dunmore’s next scheduled game is a trip to Blue Ridge High School, also on Monday.

 

 

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