Zach Perta hit five 3-pointers, scored 25 points and pinned down tournament Most Valuable Player honors Saturday night when Holy Redeemer fought past Bethlehem Freedom, 61-56, to take the first Wilkes-Barre Area Tip-Off Tournament title.
Perta received the John Quinn award as MVP. Quinn, the former Coughlin coach and Wilkes-Barre Area School Board member, died earlier this year.
Jacob Hunter added 12 points and all-tournament selection Darryl Wright had 10.
Perta hit two 3-pointers in the first quarter, but the Patriots took a 21-16 lead. He hit 2 more while scoring 10 points in the second quarter when the Royals moved in front, 32-31.
George Sabatini had all seven of his points in the third quarter as Holy Redeemer built the lead to 48-43.
Hunter was 6-for-6 from the line, including making four in the last minute when Perta made both his attempts.
Holy Redeemer finished 10-for-14 from the line while Freedom was just 2-for-11.
Jaden Tillett led Freedom with 19 points and also received all-tournament honors.
In Saturday’s other tournament game results:
Mid Valley 58, Wilkes-Barre Area 27
Mid Valley pounded host Wilkes-Barre Area in the third-place game.
The Spartans ran away, taking leads of 19-8 after one quarter, 33-14 at halftime and 50-18 going into the fourth quarter.
Ricky Vinansky made the all-tournament team from Mid Valley while Kaprie Cottle represented Wilkes-Barre Area.
Nazareth Area 40, Wallenpaupack 34
Nazareth Area defeated the host Buckhorns in the championship game of the Lake Region Tip-Off Tournament.
Justin Blanding led Wallenpaupack with 17 points.
Berwick 50, Bloomsburg 48
Host Berwick got 14 points each from Jace Degroat and Matt Lonczynski while pulling out a win in the third-place game of the Joe Nespoli Tournament.
Sean Murphy added 11 points in the win.
MORE SATURDAY BOYS COVERAGE
Susquehanna-Bradford County Challenge: High-scoring BR 2-0 in challenge – NEPA Sports Nation.
Non-league roundup: BOYS ROUNDUP: Sechleer lifts Crestwood over Hanover Area – NEPA Sports Nation.
Scoreboard: Saturday’s basketball scoreboard – NEPA Sports Nation.
