By Marisa Dambach, NEPASportsNation.com
WESTFALL TWP. – Drew Kiesendahl led Wallenpaupack with 15 points and also grabbed 4 rebounds to help the visiting Buckhorns prevail over the Delaware Valley Warriors, 48-40, in a Lackawanna League Division 2 matchup.
Jake Holbert followed closely behind Kiesendahl with 13 points for the Wallenpaupack, the defending division champion.
Ronnie McManus had 13 points for the Warriors, and Jake Brower had 10.
The Buckhorns came out of the gates with a fast-paced offense, beginning with a Holbert basket.
Brower was able to make a 3-pointer from the top of the key, but that did not help as Wallenpaupack went on a 10-0 run with Holbert providing five points. Justin Blanding ran the floor for the Buckhorns, making his presence known with creative passes to his teammates.
Wallenpaupack finished the quarter leading Delaware Valley, 19-10.
Delaware Valley was able to score first in the second quarter with a fadeaway by Chris U’Glay.
The Buckhorns did not let that stop them as they went on a 7-0 run before Brower cut them off with a 3-pointer with a little more than five minutes to go in the quarter.
Wallenpaupack led 33-19 at the half.
Kiesendahl once again kept the offense alive in the third quarter with a bucket in the paint.
McManus gave the Warriors four points in the quarter to keep their hopes alive.
The Buckhorns slowed down their offense to try to protect the 39-27 lead they carried into the fourth quarter.
The final quarter saw the Warriors close the gap between the teams.
McManus made late advances to the basket to try to keep the comeback going.
Blanding slowed the offense to run the clock and limit Delaware Valley’s chance.
The win improved Wallenpaupack to 1-1 in the division and 5-4 overall heading into a Saturday night home game with Pocono Mountain East where the Buckhorns won for the second straight night.
Delaware Valley, the No. 6 Big School boys team in the Riverfront Sports Super Six Basketball Power Rankings of District 2 teams, entered league play unbeaten overall, but lost both games during the week to fall to 6-2.
