EDITOR’S NOTE: Three first-place battles highlighted the Friday night schedule in District 2 basketball. While NEPASportsNation.com compiles more complete reports, here is a quick recap of Friday’s biggest developments.
By Tom Robinson, NEPASportsNation.com
PECKVILLE – Valley View forced one tie while Mid Valley and Dallas were breaking two others Friday night.
Three of the divisions of boys basketball in District 2 underwent leadership changes as top teams went head-to-head.
The high-profile games matched No. 1 vs. No. 2 and No. 3 vs. No. 4 in Big Schools while No. 2 and No. 3 teams of the Riverfront Sports Super Six Basketball Power Rankings of District 2 teams were going head-to-head in Small Schools.
Valley View held visiting Abington Heights to two field goals for a 10-minute stretch of the second half while handing the top-ranked Comets their first loss within District 2 this season, 41-38.
Danny Nemitz scored 18 points as host Mid Valley handed Small School No. 2 Holy Cross its second loss in four days, 54-45, to take sole possession of the Lackawanna Division 3 lead.
No. 3 Dallas opened a 15-point halftime lead on the way to a 70-47 victory over visiting Pittston Area in Wyoming Valley Conference Division 1 in the other game that broke a first-place tie.
Kyle Rupp hit two free throws with 9.3 seconds remaining to close the scoring in Valley View’s win. He finished with 8 points and 12 rebounds.
Eli Yusavage scored 12 points while A.J. Kucharski added 10 points, including going 3-for-4 from the line in the final minute.
Valley View turned a 25-19 deficit midway through the third quarter into a 35-30 lead with less than 3½ minutes remaining.
Patrick Walsh hit four 3-pointers to lead Abington Heights with 12 points. Mason Fedor, who had 11 points and 8 rebounds, tied the game at 35-35 with a three-point play.
Defending champion Mid Valley moved into the Division 3 lead when Nemitz led three scorers in double figures.
Nathan Sadaka added 12 points and Jakob Lesher had 10.
Holy Cross was led by Logan Tierney with 12 points.
Darius Wallace scored 15 points and Mikey Cumbo added 14 for Dallas, another defending champion that took over control of its race.
Forest City remained one game in front of Blue Ridge in Lackawanna Division 4 when both rallied at home in the fourth quarter to avoid upsets.
The Foresters trailed by five in the fourth quarter before D.J. Heath went 8-for-8 from the line to help lock up a 49-38 victory over Mountain View.
Connor Cranage went 4-for-4 from the line in the final minute to cap a 34-point, 17-rebound effort in Blue Ridge’s 57-52 victory over Elk Lake.
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.
