Chris Catrone scored 14 points to lead a balanced and efficient offense Tuesday night as Hazleton Area posted a 49-41 victory over visiting Crestwood in a Wyoming Valley Conference Division 1 boys basketball game.
The Cougars shot better than 50 percent from the floor while committing just 11 turnovers to improve to 3-1 in the division, a game behind first-place Pittston Area.
Catrone finished 3-for-7 from 3-point range after making three in the first half.
Nikoli Santiago was 3-for-6 from long range while adding 13 points and making 2 steals.
Joey Marshall was 5-for-8 from the floor while scoring 12 points. He also shared the team assist lead of six with Sam Guzman, who chipped in eight points.
Catrone hit two 3-pointers in the first quarter, which ended with the Cougars on top, 13-7.
Drew Sechleer had 9 of his 13 points for Crestwood during the second quarter, but Guzman countered with 8 to keep Hazleton Area in front, 24-20.
Marshall scored nine in the second half.
In other WVC Division 1 games Tuesday:
Dallas 55, Tunkhannock 49
Nick Williams twice converted layups out of the delay game in the last 34 seconds as Dallas put away host Tunkhannock.
Mikey Cumbo scored 19 points to lead the way for Dallas, which set up a chance to play for a share of first place Friday night.
The Mountaineers, ranked third among Big Schools in the Riverfront Sports Super Six Power Rankings of District 2 teams, are 3-1 in the division and 9-1 overall going into their game at fifth-ranked Pittston Area (4-0, 8-3).
Darius Wallace added 16 points for Dallas, which led by just one when the fourth quarter started.
Williams had six of his eight points in the quarter.
Tunkhannock’s Ben Chilson scored a game-high 26 points.
Berwick 60, Wyoming Valley West 45
Jace Degroat poured in seven of Berwick’s dozen 3-pointers and Sean Murphy sparked a fast start that carried the Bulldogs to victory.
DeGroat finished with 23 points.
Murphy had three of his four 3-pointers and 11 of his 16 points in the first quarter when the Bulldogs took a 23-9 lead.
Degroat had two 3-pointers and Billy Hanson one in the first quarter. Hanson finished with 10 points.
Maki Lewis scored 14 points and Zach Konopke 12 to lead Wyoming Valley West.
MORE WVC DIVISION 1 COVERAGE
Pittston Area/Wilkes-Barre Area game story: Semenza reaches career milestone – NEPA Sports Nation.
Jan. 6 roundup: BOYS BASKETBALL ROUNDUP: Giardina helps put Patriots in lead – NEPA Sports Nation.
MORE TUESDAY BOYS BASKETBALL COVERAGE
Bulletin recap: BULLETIN: Comets win 1-2 battle – NEPA Sports Nation.
District 2 scores: Tuesday’s basketball scoreboard – NEPA Sports Nation.
