Holy Redeemer and Nanticoke took the same route to victory in Saturday’s only two District 2 boys basketball games.
As a result, they remained on a path to meet Thursday with the Wyoming Valley Conference Division 2 title on the line.
Both teams used big fourth quarters on the road to get past the teams tied for third place in the division.
Jacob Hunter and Zach Perta scored 19 points each to lead first-place Holy Redeemer to its 13th straight win overall, 60-39, over Hanover Area.
Jaidyn Johnson scored 15 points for Nanticoke, which defeated Wyoming Area, 45-36, to remain within a half-game of first place with only its regular-season finale still ahead.
Holy Redeemer 60, Hanover Area 39
Holy Redeemer trailed after one quarter and was in a tight game until hitting four 3-pointers while outscoring Hanover Area, 21-6, in the fourth quarter.
Hunter had 15 of his 19 points in the second half when he hit three 3-pointers. Two of those shots from beyond the arc came in the fourth quarter when Perta and Mark Atherton were adding one each.
Holy Redeemer, the No. 1 Small School boys team in the Riverfront Sports Super Six Power Rankings of District 2 teams, matched Dallas for the team overall record in the district at 18-2. The Royals improved to 10-0 in the division.
The defending champions can clinch at least a tie for first place before ever getting to Nanticoke. They play at Wyoming Seminary Tuesday.
David Popson led Hanover Area (5-5, 8-12) with 11 points.
Nanticoke 45, Wyoming Area 36
Nanticoke trailed 15-6 after one quarter, but cut its deficit to five by halftime.
The Trojans moved in front 28-23 by outscoring the Warriors, 12-2, in the third quarter.
Johnson then went 5-for-7 while scoring nine points in the fourth quarter as Nanticoke added to the late lead.
Ibn Jordan-Thomas added 13 points for the Trojans (10-1, 15-6).
Dane Schutter scored 16 points and Lukas Burakiewicz had 10 for Wyoming Area (5-5, 9-11).
