EDITOR’S NOTE: The Wyoming Valley Conference settled its only needed divisional playoff Friday night while Lackawanna League races were heading into their final week with some being decided early. While NEPASportsNation.com compiles more complete reports, here is a quick recap of the night’s most important developments.
By Tom Robinson and Spencer Decker, NEPASportsNation.com
The start of league playoff season blended with the latter portion of regular-season play to make for an eventful Friday night around District 2 basketball.
Two titles were decided, two late-season division leads changed hand and co-leaders of another division matched wins.
Lake-Lehman scored the first 20 points and Ella Wilson finished with 20 points as the Lady Knights defeated Holy Redeemer, 60-46, in a playoff to break a first-place tie and decide the Wyoming Valley Conference Division 2 girls title.
While Lake-Lehman need an extension to the regular season to win its title, the North Pocono boys put an early end to the Lackawanna League Division 2 race when A.J. Nemitz scored 14 points in a come-from-behind, 49-43 victory at Honesdale.
The Lackawanna Division 3 and 4 boys leaderships changed hands with Friday’s results.
J.J. Rosa scored 21 points while playing a strong all-around game as Blue Ridge took the Division 4 lead away from visiting Forest City, handing the Foresters their first league loss, 63-57.
A pair of one-point victories by road teams moved Holy Cross from a half-game behind to a half-game in front of Mid Valley in the Division 3 race.
Blue Ridge and Forest City are tied in the loss column as are Holy Cross and Mid Valley, meaning that if teams win out, they will end up tied and need a playoff for the division title.
Gabe Gonzales hit a corner 3-pointer with 23.1 seconds left to complete his 11-point night and lift Holy Cross over Dunmore, 51-50.
The Crusaders moved a half-game ahead of Mid Valley when the Spartans lost to Riverside, 26-25.
The Lackawanna Division 1 race remained tied when Abington Heights and Valley View both won at home.
Abington Heights defeated Wallenpaupack, 64-50, while Valley View pounded West Scranton, 54-34.
Both teams dominated the middle quarters after trailing at the end of one.
Abington Heights outscored Wallenpaupack, 43-17, during that time while Valley View handled West Scranton, 28-9.
MORE
Friday’s scoreboard: Friday’s basketball scoreboard – NEPA Sports Nation.
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Return to Basketball – NEPA Sports Nation more-detailed reports on Friday’s action.
