EDITOR’S NOTE: While NEPABasketball.com compiles more complete reports, here is a quick recap of Friday’s highlights.
By Tom Robinson, NEPABasketball.com
SCRANTON – J.J. Walsh, Anthony Cencetti and Dominic Jannuzzi all made clutch plays in the last 30 seconds Friday night to help Pittston Area recover from a mid-game dry spell and pull out a 36-33 victory over North Pocono in the nightcap of a Conference Challenge doubleheader at the Lackawanna College Student Union.
Susquehanna routed MMI Prep, 41-11, in the opener.
Walsh, Pittston Area’s scoring leader each of the last two seasons, was just 1-for-9 from the floor when the Patriots found him in the last minute, coming out of a timeout and trailing, 33-32.
The senior guard hit a shot from the right elbow while defended and moving to his left with 23 seconds left.
Cencetti came up with a steal before North Pocono could get a shot at regaining the lead. Cencetti went hard to the basket on the other end, winding up on the floor with a nose injury that took him out of the game and required postgame medical attention.
When Cencetti was unable to convert, Jannuzzi was there for the rebound and drew a foul.
Jannuzzi hit both free throws with 6.6 seconds left, finishing a 10-point effort and putting the Patriots up by three. North Pocono barely managed to get a shot off at the final buzzer and the attempt at the tie did not even reach the rim.
Ryan Ruddy led North Pocono with 10 points.
The Trojans turned a 14-8 deficit late in the second quarter into a 29-18 lead midway through the third quarter before the Patriots closed with an 18-4 run.
Susquehanna was never challenged in the opener.
Colton Stone scored 15 points and Spencer Beamer had 14.
Stone had eight during the first quarter when the Sabers took an 11-2 lead on the Preppers.
Elsewhere Friday night:
Lakeland edged Western Wayne, 37-34, in the Cal King Tournament at Lackawanna Trail.
With Lake-Lehman sports shut down, the tournament was reduced from four teams to three and the Chiefs will play the host Lions, who had a bye, Saturday at 1 p.m. for the title.
Joey Dunstone and freshman Nathan Hunt scored 12 points each for Lakeland.
Ryan Vinton led Western Wayne with 17 points.
In other boys games: Valley View defeated Hanover Area, 61-33; Riverside defeated Honesdale, 66-42; Trinity downed Wilkes-Barre Area, 57-51; and Williamsport defeated Crestwood, 40-32.
Taheed Jewell scored 12 points and L.V. Pegula had 11 for Valley View.
Mike Merth led Hanover Area with 11.
Riverside became the first District 2 team to reach 4-0 with its victory.
Bryan Clarke scored 11 points to lead Wilkes-Barre Area in its loss.
The top girls game of the night, Holy Redeemer outlasted Holy Cross, 68-65, in overtime with the help of four double-figures scorers.
Mia Ashton hit a 3-pointer for a one-point lead with 21 seconds left, then Aubrey Curley added two free throws with three seconds left for the three-point margin.
Ashton had 5 of her 19 points in the overtime when Jillian Delbalso had 4.
Kaci Kranson led Holy Cross with 29 points.
In other girls games: Wyoming Valley West defeated Nanticoke, 45-31; Scranton Prep got past Villa Maria Academy, 26-17; and Pittston Area pounded North Pocono, 57-21.
Freshman Daniella Ranieli led Pittston Area with 23 points.
MORE TO COME
Return to this website for more-detailed coverage of Friday’s games.
