Luke Gennaro, Chris Catrone and Josian Guerra all finished in double figures in scoring by combining to lead Hazleton Area through the fourth quarter and into a playoff for the Wyoming Valley Conference Division 1 boys title with a 53-41 victory over visiting Crestwood Saturday night.
After Crestwood closed the gap in the third quarter, Hazleton Area used a 16-11, fourth-quarter advantage to pull away.
The Cougars tied Dallas for first place in the division with each finishing at 12-2. They will have a playoff for the division title Tuesday at 7:30 at Pittston Area. Both teams will be part of the four-team Wyoming Valley Conference Tournament, which has semifinals Thursday at Hazleton Area and finals Saturday at Wilkes-Barre Area.
Crestwood cut a 32-18 halftime deficit to 37-30 by limiting Hazleton Area to two third-quarter field goals.
Gennaro hit a 3-pointer and two free throws in the fourth quarter for a team-high 12 points. He finished 4-for-6 from the floor and 2-for-3 on 3-pointers.
Catrone scored 7 of his 11 points in the fourth quarter. He also grabbed five rebounds, three on the offensive end, and dished out three assists.
Guerra had the other four points in the fourth quarter. He finished with 10 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals.
Khalied Morrieson led the defense with six blocked shots. He also had six points, four offensive rebounds and a steal.
Gennaro and Catrone also combined to get Hazleton Area out to a fast start. Gennaro had seven points and Catrone added four for a 15-7 lead after one quarter.
Nikoli Santiago came off the bench to hit his only two 3-point attempts during the second quarter while Joe Marshall scored five points and Guerra four as the Cougars opened their 14-point halftime lead.
Chaz Wright and Bryce Vieney each had four points when Crestwood cut into the deficit in the third quarter.
Zayne Dunsmuir had six points and Vieney five in the fourth quarter, but no one else scored for the Comets while the Cougars pulled away.
Vieney finished with 12 points and Dunsmuir 10 for the Comets.
Hazleton Area completed its regular season 12-2 in the division and 18-4 overall. Crestwood went 5-9 and 9-12.
After tying one game in front of Pittston Area, Hazleton Area and Dallas (17-3 overall) will meet Tuesday for the division title.
The winner will take on Division 2 runner-up Nanticoke (10-2 and 13-9) while the loser faces Division 2 champion Holy Redeemer (12-0 and 19-3) in the semifinals Thursday to set up Saturday’s championship game.
