The top performances in District 2 sports from the week of Dec. 6-12:
FINLEY BITTENBENDER, Scranton girls basketball
Bittenbender made five 3-pointers and scored 23 points for Scranton, which used a late rally to get past Holy Cross, 52-48, in the season opener.
AUSTIN FINARELLI, Dallas boys basketball
Finarelli scored 35 points, grabbed 5 rebounds and made 3 steals in a 77-58 victory at Scranton Prep in a meeting between teams ranked in the My City Mortgage Super Six Power Rankings. He made six 3-pointers and shot 7-for-9 on his attempts from inside the arc.
KYLIE LAVELLE, Riverside girls basketball
Lavelle scored 35 points, even though she did not play in the fourth quarter, in the opening, 59-13 rout of Hanover Area.
BRYCE MOLINARO, Hazleton Area wrestling
The two-time defending District 2 Class 3A champion began his season by winning bouts on the way to the 189-pound title at the Tom Best Memorial Top Hat Tournament at Williamsport. Molinaro started with a technical fall, then a pin, both in the second period. In the semifinals, he posted the 100th win of his career with a 5-4 decision over Saucon Valley in a match between returning state place-winners.
MORIAH MURRAY, Dunmore girls basketball
Murray made 11 shots from 3-point range and scored 41 points while helping Dunmore go 2-0 in the season-opening She Got Game Classic DMV. She had 20 points, 8 rebounds and 2 blocked shots in a 67-30 rout of Riversdale Baptist (Md.), then 21 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals in a 67-43 victory over Christian Academy from Louisville (Ky.).
LILY NEMETH, Valley View girls swimming
Nemeth helped get the season off to a positive start for the Cougars, winning four events in a 92-86 victory over Abington Heights. She handled the first leg of the season-opening, 200-yard medley relay, won the 200 individual medley and 100 backstroke and contributed to a win in the closing 400 freestyle relay.
A.J. NEMITZ, North Pocono boys basketball
Nemitz scored 23 points when North Pocono opened the season with a 65-41 victory over Nanticoke. He made four of his five 3-pointers and scored 20 points in the second half.
NICO SOLANO, Pittston Area wrestling
Solano made quick work of opponents while helping Pittston Area open the season with the championship at the Gary Woodruff Memorial Duals at Wyalusing Valley. Wrestling at 132 pounds in three bouts and 138 in another, he pinned all four opponents in between 16 and 19 seconds. Solano also added a forfeit victory.
CIERA TOOMEY, Dunmore girls basketball
Toomey scored 56 points for Dunmore in the She Got Game Classic victories. She opened the season with a career-high 35 points, 7 rebounds and 3 blocked shots while shooting 13-for-18 against Riverdale Baptist. She followed with 21 points, 11 rebounds and 4 blocked shots against Christian Academy.
