EDITOR’S NOTE: Tuesday was an eventful night in District 2 boys basketball with several key matchups. While NEPASportsNation.com compiles more complete reports, here is a quick recap of some of Tuesday’s highlights.
Will Marion scored 17 points and was right in the middle of the game’s biggest run Tuesday night as Abington Heights defeated visiting Valley View, 52-38, in a Lackawanna League Division 1 boys basketball game between the top two Big Schools in the Riverfront Sports Super Six Basketball Power Rankings of District 2 teams.
Following 7 first-quarter lead changes, Abington Heights pulled away from a one-point game by scoring the last 11 of the first half for a 28-16 lead.
The Comets scored four points before and four after Marion turned a long rebound into a 3-pointer with 1:55 left in the half. Patrick Walsh and Zach Brister each had four points in the run.
Robby Lucas added 16 points for the Comets.
A.J. Kucharski led Valley View with 13 points, including 7 in the first quarter when he gave Valley View the first 2 of its 4 leads.
The teams entered the game tied for first in the division with 2-0 league records and tied for the best overall record in District 2 at 9-1.
Elsewhere:
Pittston Area broke away from a halftime tie to win at Wilkes-Barre Area, 54-39, to hold sole possession of the Wyoming Valley Conference Division 1 lead and hand coach Al Semenza his 500th career victory.
Anthony Cencetti led the way with 20 points.
Dallas and Hazleton Area each won to improve to 3-1 in the division, but missed out on a chance to be part of a four-way tie for first when Wilkes-Barre Area could not hold down Pittston Area.
Dallas won at Tunkhannock, 55-49, while Hazleton Area defeated visiting Crestwood, 49-41.
Mikey Cumbo scored 19 points to lead Dallas, which also got two layups by Nick Williams out of the delay game in the last 34 seconds while wrapping up the victory.
Ben Chilson led Tunkhannock with 26 points.
Chris Catrone hit three first-half 3-pointers and led Hazleton Area with 14 points.
Wallenpaupack took over sole possession of the Lackawanna Division 2 lead when it defeated Western Wayne, 56-31, while Honesdale was falling to Delaware Valley, 51-34.
Jake Brower scored all 15 of his points in the first half while helping Delaware Valley open a 26-15 halftime lead.
A.J. Nemitz hit three first-half 3-pointers, then went 8-for-8 from the line in the second half while scoring 27 points to help North Pocono win at Scranton Prep, 61-53, in a Lackawanna Division 1-2 crossover.
Host Holy Cross took sole possession of the Lackawanna Division 3 lead by beating defending champion Mid Valley, 59-47, in a rematch of last season’s playoff to decide the title.
Hayden Hosie scored 19 points and Gabe Gonzales added 16 for the Crusaders.
Holy Cross is the division’s last unbeaten after Lakeland fell to Carbondale, which got 18 points from Jaymire Allen in a 49-46 victory.
Blue Ridge defeated two-time defending champion Elk Lake, 59-49, in Lackawanna Division 4.
Connor Cranage had 23 points and 10 rebounds for the Raiders, who remained tied with Forest City, a 64-34 winner over Mountain View.
Blue Ridge handed Elk Lake its first loss.
Montrose improved to 2-0 in the division with a 55-31 win at Lackawanna Trail.
Alex Warriner made four 3-pointers while leading Montrose with 16 points.
Nanticoke improved to 4-0 in WVC Division 2 by defeating Lake-Lehman, 62-38.
Liam Mullery had 11 points in the first quarter when the Trojans took a 25-8 lead.
Nanticoke remained a half-game in front of Holy Redeemer, which won a meeting of 2-0 teams at Wyoming Area, 62-47.
Zach Perta and Jacob Hunter combined for 23 points in the first quarter when Holy Redeemer took a 27-8 lead.
Perta had 13 of his 18 points. Hunter scored 10 of his game-high 23.
Photo: Michael Hughes from Holy Cross goes in for a layup against Mid Valley. (Alexander Stabinski Photo)
MORE
Semenza’s 500th win: Semenza reaches career milestone – NEPA Sports Nation.
Tuesday’s scoreboard: Tuesday’s basketball scoreboard – NEPA Sports Nation.
COMING UP
Return to Basketball – NEPA Sports Nation more-detailed reports on Tuesday’s action.
