Allycia Harris and Gloria Adjayi combined for 44 points and 36 rebounds Monday as Wilkes-Barre Area made it to the New Year as one of three unbeaten girls basketball teams in District 2 by beating visiting Wyoming Area, 65-53.
Riverside also won to remain unbeaten Monday while the other, Scranton Prep, had the day off after capturing the Lynett Memorial Tournament title Sunday.
The Wilkes-Barre Area Wolfpack is in its debut season of a program that combines players from Coughlin, Meyers and GAR High Schools in anticipation of their merger into a new school.
Harris scored 30 points, grabbed 18 rebounds and made 7 steals. The leading scorer the last two seasons and a contributor for the last three under Wolfpack coach Mary Mushock-Namey while they were both with the Meyers team, Harris is averaging close to 19 points this season to lead the Wolfpack.
Adjayi also grabbed 18 rebounds while contributing 14 points and 6 assists.
Their inside presence allowed the Wolfpack to thrive during a game in which it did not hit a 3-point shot and got just one point – on five attempts – from the foul line.
Cassidy Orzel led Wyoming Area (4-4) with 23 points. Nicole Silinskie had three of the team’s five 3-pointers while adding 15 points.
Harris was in double figures in scoring before the first quarter ended with Wilkes-Barre Area ahead, 26-17.
Wyoming Area scored the first nine points of the second quarter to tie the game, but Wilkes-Barre Area went back in front, 32-30, at halftime.
The Wolfpack then held the Lady Warriors scoreless for almost 5½ minutes to begin the second half while opening the lead to 46-30.
Wyoming Area again fought back, getting to within, 53-51, midway through the fourth.
Harris then carried the Wolfpack down the stretch, allowing it to improve to 7-0. Wilkes-Barre Area is ranked fifth among Big School teams in the Riverfront Sports Super Six Power Rankings of District 2 teams.
Riverside 76, Montrose 24
Kylie Lavelle finished with 16 points after Emily Taylor and Leah Hodick made sure Riverside got off to a fast start in the road win.
Taylor had half of her 14 points and Hodick had 6 of her 13 while the Lady Vikes were taking a 19-4 lead in the first quarter. Hodick also finished with five assists, two steals and two blocked shots.
Kayla Rose had 12 points and Kaitlyn Slaboda came off the bench to make three 3-pointers for her 9 points.
Riverside, the top-ranked Small School in the Super Six, improved to 8-0.
Hayley Pompey led Montrose with 10 points.
