Robby Lucas helped Abington Heights take control with a run to end the third quarter and start the fourth Tuesday night, allowing the Comets to finish in a first-place tie in Lackawanna League Division 1 boys basketball by defeating West Scranton, 62-53, in a game played at Scranton High.
Lucas scored 14 of his 16 points in the second half.
Abington Heights finished its Lackawanna League schedule at 11-2, tied for first place in Division 1 with Valley View. The Comets will return to Scranton High Friday night at 7:30 to play the Cougars for the title.
West Scranton was a threat to disrupt those plans, leading late in the first quarter and remaining within three points into the last two minutes of the third quarter.
Abington Heights closed the third quarter on a 10-2 run, then opened the fourth quarter by outscoring West Scranton, 9-4, to open a 53-37 lead.
Lucas hit two 3-pointers while scoring eight points in the third quarter, then went 6-for-6 from the line in the fourth quarter to help the Comets protect the lead.
Abington Heights placed three other scorers in double figures.
Ryan Nealon made two 3-pointers in the first quarter and another in the fourth while scoring 14 points.
Mason Fedor scored 12 points and Will Marion had 11.
Tristan Lee, who scored eight points in the first quarter, and Evan Laybourn-Boddie, who had 11 in the second half, shared West Scranton scoring honors with 16 points each.
The Invaders were in front until Abington Heights closed the first quarter with an 8-2 run to a 13-11 lead.
Abington Heights, the No. 2 Big School boys team in the Riverfront Sports Super Six Power Rankings of District 2 teams, improved to 19-3 overall. With just a few games for other teams impacting the ratings, Abington Heights leads Dallas in the race for the top seed in the District 2 Class 5A playoffs.
West Scranton finished the regular season 7-6 in the division and 12-9 overall. The Invaders are 12-10 overall and also will be part of the District 2 Class 5A playoff field.
