Pictured above: Anthony Cencetti
Anthony Cencetti scored twice in the last 40 seconds Tuesday night while helping Pittston Area pull out a 48-47 victory at Crestwood in a Wyoming Valley Conference Division 1 boys basketball game.
The game was the only one matching two teams that had won their Division 1 openers. Pittston Area’s win set up a Friday night battle for sole possession of first place at home against Hazleton Area, which on Wednesday became the only other 2-0 team in a division where six of the eight teams have suffered at least their first loss.
Crestwood went ahead, 45-44, just as the final minute began.
Cencetti put the Patriots ahead to stay on a tough jumper while moving to his left on the left wing.
With about 18 seconds left, Cencetti got open deep on a long in-bounds pass over the top of the press for a layup and a 48-45 lead.
Crestwood was fouled on a 3-point attempt and got an offensive rebound on a missed free throw, but the Comets went just 2-for-5 from the line in the last 6.7 seconds and the Patriots hung on.
The last-minute heroics capped a huge offensive game for Cencetti, who scored 28 points, including 23 in the second half.
Pittston Area led 13-8 after one quarter, but was held to four points in the second to reach halftime in a 17-17 tie.
The Patriots scored 20 points in the third quarter for a 37-33 lead. Cencetti had 14 points and Jack Long had the other 6 for Pittston Area in the quarter.
Cencetti hit a 3-pointer early in the fourth quarter when he had 9 of Pittston Area’s 11 points.
Long finished with eight points.
Crestwood played without leading scorer Drew Sechleer.
Mason Czapla made five 3-pointers while scoring 20 points. Chaz Wright added 10.
The Comets were 7-for-8 from the line before struggling through a 3-for-9 effort in the fourth quarter.
In Tuesday’s other WVC Division 1 game:
Tunkhannock 58, Wilkes-Barre Area 55
Ben Chilson scored 17 points to lead Tunkhannock to the home-court win.
The Tigers jumped in front 21-11 after one quarter and still led 44-37 before the Wolfpack rallied in the fourth quarter.
Shane Macko added 12 points and Dylan Mateus 10 in the win.
Vincent Garrett led Wilkes-Barre Area with 21 points.
