UPDATED 12/4/07

 

It was an exciting start to the 2007-2008 District 2 boys and girls hoops season.  The Northeast Beat had a very busy opening weekend, starting with a Friday afternoon early season showdown of top Lackawanna girls teams (Dunmore, Scranton) in the Chic Feldman Tournament.  Then, it was time to make a short drive over to the newly re-named Holy Cross Dunmore campus to catch the green and white Crusaders battle perennial powerhouse Abington Heights.  Saturday night is was time for another classic girls matchup as Hazleton took on Abington Heights in the Lady Cougar Tip-Off championship game.  Finally, Sunday provided a rare chance to see hoops action as the Marseco Memorial tourney tipped off in Old Forge.  As always boys action is posted first followed by girls summaries further down the page.  There were some spectacular performances by some of the top players in District 2 and this year they will be recognized as being an In-The-Clutch Cager.  The term cager refers to a basketball player and originated in the rowdy the pre-1915 days of basketball when players routinely dove into the stands because rules stated that possession belonged to the last team to touch the ball.  After being bruised routinely, spectators clamored for protection and a mesh wire cage was built around the court.  That may be before backboards were in place also.  Enough history because this week provides some marquee matchups of teams that do not normally face each other in league competition.  WVC Division 2 contender Holy Redeemer unveils their new uniforms in front of their hometown fans as the Royals take on WVC Division 1 favorite Crestwood tonight.  It should be fantastic game.  Finally the Beat sends out our sincerest sympathies to former Hazleton Area coaching legend Bruce Leib on the passing of his mother.  I bumped into Bruce in Hazleton Saturday at Senapes Bakery and heard of the sad news.  Many longtime Hazleton residents speak of the resilience and strength that his mom showed in running their family café business.               

 

  

           

OPENING TIP-OFF BOYS HIGHLIGHTS AND IN-THE-CLUTCH CAGERS

Hazleton Area, a year removed from their thrilling double OT win over State College, began their season in Happy Valley at the Skip Coleman Tip-Off Tourney.  The Cougars encountered some major trouble handling the high pressure North Allegheny defense (committing 27 turnovers, 15 in the first half) to drop a 61-56 loss to the Tigers.  North Allegheny hit 8 of 16 treys and got 9 first quarter points from Jeff Finkes (25 total) and then survived a spirited Cougar run late in the game behind the play of former Bishop Hafey standout Ethan Eichhorst (25 points).  Overall, head coach Mike Joseph saw his taller Hazleton squad get out-rebounded and outplayed physically.  In the consolation matchup, Hazleton received 22 from Matt Calarco, 20 from Eichhorst, and 12 from inside force JJ Gundry to slip past the Little Lions 62-60 (North Allegheny won the tourney title, 69-64, over Germantown Academy).  In the Berwick Nespoli tourney, Wyoming Seminary got 26 points from Mike Alvardo to win the championship over the host Bulldogs, 58-39.  Over in Benton, Prepper high-scorer Tyler Breznitsky (MMI Prep) picked up right where he left off from last year and lit up the scorecard for an amazing 36 points in a 69-64 win over tourney host Benton (Nathan Schlichter netted 32 for Benton).  Wyoming Valley West once again headed south to participate in the Carlisle Tip-Off tourney.  The Spartans got 22 points from Justin Pacovsky, but could not contain the scoring of Corey Henneghen (23 points, 5 treys) in a 75-64 loss.  WVW then dropped the consolation game, 51-31 to Strath Haven.  The good news for Chris Sload is that they rebounded by slipping by fellow District 2 AAAA Abington Heights 43-40 in their home opener Monday night.  In the Marseco tourney, host Old Forge got a great game from Kyle McMyne (26 points) and rallied past Pittston, 59-57 to win the championship.  The Blue Devils got a terrific effort from Mark Alexander (19 points) and Steve Semenza (17 points) in their semi-final win over Wyoming Area and advanced to the title game.  Hanover Area dropped at pair of games at the Lebanon Tip-Off tourney, 75-43 to Lebanon and 38-37 to Tulpehocken.  Susquehanna Community confirmed that they are certainly going to be an exciting team this year as they defeated Deposit 68-38, getting high scoring from Kirk Fallon (24) and Brent Keyes (23).  Delaware Valley dropped the championship game of the Werkheiser Memorial Tourney, 70-60 to Pocono Mountain East.  Ryan Murphy had scored 22 points in the Warriors semi-final win over Notre Dame.  Wallenpaupack captured the Hawley Rotary tourney with wins over Mid Valley (40-29) and Monticello (NY) 47-28.  Western Wayne got 25 points from Mitch Vitovsky to win the consolation, 56-45 over Mid Valley.  In the Red Wallace Classic, played between Elk Lake and Carbondale, a couple of players had classic performances.  Payton Baltzley (21 points, 20 rebounds) and Jeff Madrak (21 points) led the way for Elk Lake to defeat the Chargers, 66-46, despite getting 30 points from Lincoln Gabriel.  And finally, Williamsport dropped a pair of games at the York William Penn Tip-Off.  First, they got 22 points from Dontahe Jordan, 14 from Sean Ruane, and 12 from Isaiah Twine in their heartbreaking 73-66 loss to West York.  Then, the Millionaires found themselves trailing 10-0 and never really recovered in their consolation loss to William Penn (82-48).         

 

In single game non-tourney opening weekend action, Abington Heights spoiled the debut of Holy Cross as Spencer Liddic scored 20 points in the Comets 55-49 win over the Crusaders.  Holy Cross bounced back to defeat Mountain View the next night 65-34 behind Mark Bevaqua scoring 18 points.  Highly regarded Crestwood began the season with a pair of wins, 65-44 over Nanticoke (Adam Fazzini netted 24 for the Comets) and 57-29 over Northwest.  Another team with lofty expectations, Wilkes-Barre GAR, began the year with a strong 63-27 win over Wilkes-Barre Coughlin.  Coughlin also dropped a close 60-53 loss to cross-town rival Meyers.  Holy Redeemer started blazing hot off the tip but had to hang on for a close 55-50 win over Scranton as their Siena-bound playmaker Owen Wignot led the way with 22 points.  The Royals super 6-9 frosh Pete Alexis contributed, calming scoring 8 points.  The Knights got a terrific game from Gary Melville (21 points and 12 rebounds) in the loss.  Melville led the way for Scranton on Saturday night with 26 points and a 75-62 win over Valley View (who got 22 points from Dave Abdalla).  Tunkhannock slipped past Lackawanna Trail and their top scorer Casey Cathrall (23 points), 52-49.   

 

 

 

LEAGUE PLAY BEGINS WEEK OF DECEMBER 17     

Wyoming Valley Conference play begins on 12/20 (girls) and 12/21 (boys) and will get one game into before the new year.  In the Lackawanna League, play begins on 12/17 and 12/18.

 

 

 

DISTRICT 2 HOOPS COVERAGE GETTING BIGGER AND BETTER EVERY DAY

Several years ago, aside from the steady coverage provided by newspaper beat writers from the Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, and Hazleton areas, basketball coverage in District 2 was a disjointed mess and largely vacant from an overall information point of view.  Hoops fans from the southern part of the district knew little of the basketball fortunes of their counterparts to the northern reaches of the district.  In fact, District 2 did not even have a website long after it became standard protocol around the state.  That was probably the landscape when the initial Northeast Beat was launched several years ago.  Weeks would pass by without seeing current team standings in the print media, so we brought updated league standing to fans simply because there was nowhere else to find them.  It seemed that basketball coverage needed to be elevated and unified.  Based on the many emails from coaches, players, and fans received over the years, the Northeast Beat is a weekly stop for many casual and diehard basketball fans.  For that, I extend a sincere thank-you to you all.  But, the best thing about a winning formula is that it is contagious and just take a look at the wonderful things happening now.  In the print media, every paper had top-notch writers covering all the top boys and girls matchups.  On the airwaves, ESPN radio 630-1240 is the longtime home of In the Zone, a Monday and Friday 5 pm show hosted by Joby Fawcett.  Joby bring in writers and athletes from both ends of the district.  The station has renewed their commitment to provide top caliber play-by-play Game of the Week coverage every week, plus a recap show every Tuesday at 5 pm.  They have an excellent trio of experienced hoops coaches and AAU personnel (John Bucci, Doug Walsh, and Kyle Goyne host).  They do not offer streaming audio at this time, but that would be a wonderful addition for the future.  The District 2 PIAA website has undergone major upgrades and is now a powerful resource for all types of athletic information.  On the basketball end, they have post league schedules and will have playoff standings as the season progresses.  Finally, John Mendola has provided excellent television coverage of the entire area in his weekly Fox 56 High School Sports Show.  Overall, it is a terrific time to enjoy the long overdue expansion of basketball coverage taking place.  The one-time faint pulse has turned into a rapidly-paced Northeast Beat.                          

 

 

 

THIS WEEK’S DISTRICT 2 TOP BOYS GAMES

 

TUESDAY, 12/4

Crestwood at Holy Redeemer

Hazleton Area at Pocono Mountain East

Pittston Area at Holy Cross

Berwick at Pocono Mountain West

West Scranton vs. Forest City (Finan Tourney Championship)

 

WEDNESDAY, 12/5

Dunmore at Abington Heights

Lake-Lehman at Wilkes-Barre GAR

Mountain View at Dallas

 

THURSDAY, 12/6

Dallas at Wyoming Seminary

Wyoming Valley West at Holy Redeemer

Honesdale at Susquehanna

Shamokin at Williamsport

 

FRIDAY, 12/7

Old Forge at Mountain View

Wyoming Seminary at Tunkhannock

Wilkes-Barre Coughlin at Lake-Lehman

Lackawanna Trail Tournament

 

SATURDAY, 12/8

Holy Redeemer at Abington Heights

Pocono Mountain East at Berwick

Dallas at Pittston

Hazleton Area at Council Rock North

Holy Cross vs. Notre Dame (Marywood University)

Pocono Mountain West at Scranton

Valley View at Scranton Prep

Susquehanna at Wilkes-Barre GAR

Williamsport at Horseheads (NY)

Lackawanna Trail Tournament

 

MONDAY, 12/10

Wilkes-Barre GAR at Crestwood

Pittston at Holy Redeemer

 

TUESDAY, 12/11

Mountain View at Abington Heights

Dallas at Forest City

Lackawanna Trail at Dunmore

North Pocono at Valley View

Scranton at Wyoming Valley West

 

 

 

LLHOOPS NORTHEAST BEAT BOYS PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Ethan Eichhorst (6-3, senior, F) Hazleton Area who averaged over 16 ppg last year at Bishop Hafey gave the Cougars an immediate shot of offense in their opening weekend split at the State College Tip-Off tourney.  Ethan scored 25 points in their loss to North Allegheny and had 20 in their consolation win over State College.  

 

Gary Melville (5-11 junior) gave Scranton an emotional boost by scoring 26 points in their win over Valley View.  Gary also helped the Knights almost complete a comeback against Holy Redeemer by contributing 21 points and 12 rebounds.    

 

 

 

DISTRICT 2 BOYS BASKETBALL RECORDS

 

WYOMING VALLEY CONFERENCE

 

DIVISION 1 (exhibition record)

Crestwood (2-0)

Tunkhannock (1-1)

Hazleton (1-1)

Pittston (1-1)

Berwick (1-1)

Wyoming Valley West (1-2)

Wilkes-Barre Coughlin (0-2)

 

 

DIVISION 2

Wilkes-Barre GAR (2-0)

Dallas (2-0)

Holy Redeemer (1-0)

Wilkes-Barre Meyers (1-1)

Wyoming Area (0-1)

Nanticoke (0-1)

Hanover (0-2)

 

 

DIVISION 3

Wyoming Seminary (2-0)

MMI Prep (2-1)

Northwest (0-1)

Lake-Lehman (0-1)

West Side Tech (0-0)

St. Michaels (0-0)

 

 

 

LACKAWANNA LEAGUE

 

DIVISION 1 (exhibition record)

Wallenpaupack (2-0)

North Pocono (2-0)

Scranton Prep (1-0)

Abington Heights (1-1)

West Scranton (1-1)

Scranton (1-2)

Delaware Valley (1-2)

Honesdale (0-2)

 

 

DIVISION 2

Old Forge (2-0)

Riverside (1-1)

Valley View (1-1)

Holy Cross (1-1)

Western Wayne (1-1)

Dunmore (1-1)

Lakeland (0-0)

Mid Valley (0-2)

 

 

DIVISION 3

Elk Lake (1-0)

Susquehanna (1-0)

Forest City (1-0)

Mountain View (0-1)

Lackawanna Trail (0-1)

Blue Ridge (0-1)

Carbondale (0-2)

Montrose (0-3)

 

 

 

 

 

GIRLS BASKETBALL     GIRLS BASKETBALL     GIRLS BASKETBALL

 

 

WEEKEND TIP-OFF GIRLS HIGHLIGHTS AND IN-THE-CLUTCH CAGERS

In the Chic Feldman Tip-Off Tourney, Dunmore rolled over a pair of top Lackawanna Division 1 teams.  On Friday afternoon, the Lady Bucks outscored highly regarded Scranton 35-9 in the first and fourth periods to win 50-33.  Scranton had far too many turnovers to develop any offensive consistency.  In the championship game, Lauren Carra scored 23 points for Dunmore in their 47-27 win over Scranton Prep.  At the Hazleton Lady Cougar Tip-Off, powerful Abington Heights rolled over perennial state contenders Cheltenham (63-32, Becky Burke scored 24 points) and Hazleton Area (51-33, Burke added another 31 points to hit the 1,500 point mark).  Hazleton was playing with a somewhat depleted lineup as point guard Alyssa Flanagan is out 5 games with an injury and forward Maddy Ludwig is out for season with a knee injury.  At the Lady Hoopsters tourney in Tunkhannock, GAR got 29 points from Lydia Neperkowski and 22 from Paige Venson in their 68-46 win over Susquehanna (Hannah Price scored 29 in the loss).  In their semi-final win over Tunkhannock, Kristy Glidden scored 22 for Susquehanna and Tiffany Rule added for the Lady Tigers.  Lake-Lehman captured their own tourney as Selena Adamshick scored 26 points in their semi-final win over Lackawanna Trail (60-37).  They won the title with a 59-38 win over Wyoming Seminary.  At the Hawley Rotary tourney, Carbondale defeated Honesdale 49-35.  Old Forge pulled off a somewhat surprising 22-17 semi-final win over talented Pittston to advance to play Wyoming Area (defeated Lakeland 50-46 behind 25 points from Elyse Laneski) in the Marseco championship.  Old Forge then got by Wyoming Area 37-27 for the championship.  In the Spartan Tip-Off, host Wyoming Valley West defeated Meyers 82-34 and advance to play Pottsville Nativity Tuesday night.  Nativity rallied after trailing 10-0 to start the game and then scored the last 7 points of the game to defeat Dallas 45-39.  Hanover dropped a 79-40 game to Milton as Christina Flaherty scored 20 for the Lady Hawks.  Williamsport participated in the Hughesville tournament over the weekend.  The Lady Millionaires got by Hughesville in the semi-finals 59-47 (Frances Payton 20, Alyssa Updegraff 11), but were trounced by Athens in the championship game, 62-22.  In single game action, Katie Cahill scored 20 points for North Pocono in a 59-42 win over Riverside.

 

 

 

THIS WEEK’S DISTRICT 2 TOP GIRLS GAMES

 

TUESDAY, 12/4

North Pocono at Dunmore

Pocono Mountain East at Hazleton

 

WEDNESDAY, 12/5

Hazleton at Scranton

State College at Holy Redeemer

North Schuylkill at Berwick

 

THURSDAY, 12/6

Williamsport at Wyoming Valley West

 

FRIDAY, 12/7

Wilkes-Barre GAR at Crestwood

 

SATURDAY, 12/8

Pittston at Dallas

Holy Redeemer at Dunmore

Williamsport at Hazleton Area

Wyoming Valley West at Nanticoke

Riverside at Scranton

West Scranton at Old Forge

 

MONDAY, 12/10

Wyoming Valley West at Scranton

Dunmore at West Scranton

 

TUESDAY, 12/11

Abington Heights at Dallas

Holy Redeemer at Scranton

 

 

 

LLHOOPS NORTHEAST BEAT GIRLS PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Becky Burke (5-10, senior) from Abington Heights surpassed the 1,500 point plateau and led her Lady Comets to the championship of the Lady Cougar Tip-Off Tourney by scored 24 points against Cheltenham and 31 against Hazleton Area. 

 

Selena Adamshick (freshman) from Lake-Lehman led her team to their Tip-Off tourney championship by scoring 26 points in a win over Lackawanna Trail and another 14 in a title victory over Wyoming Seminary.   

 

 

 

DISTRICT 2 GIRLS BASKETBALL RECORDS

 

WYOMING VALLEY CONFERENCE

 

DIVISION 1 (exhibition record)

Wyoming Valley West (1-0)

Hazleton (1-1)

Pittston (1-1)

Tunkhannock (1-1)

Berwick (1-1)

Crestwood (0-1)

Wilkes-Barre Coughlin (0-1)

 

 

DIVISION 2

Lake-Lehman (2-0)

Wilkes-Barre GAR (2-1)

Holy Redeemer (1-0)

Wyoming Area (1-1)

Dallas (0-1)

Nanticoke (0-2)

 

 

DIVISION 3

Wyoming Seminary (1-2)

Northwest (2-1)

MMI Prep (1-2)

West Side Tech (0-0)

Wilkes-Barre Meyers (0-1)

Hanover (0-1)

 

 

 

LACKAWANNA LEAGUE

 

DIVISION 1 (exhibition record)

Abington Heights (2-0)

North Pocono (1-0)

West Scranton (2-0)

Honesdale (1-1)

Scranton (1-1)

Scranton Prep (1-1)

Wallenpaupack (1-1)

Delaware Valley (1-0)

 

 

DIVISION 2

Dunmore (2-0)

Old Forge (2-0)

Valley View (1-0)

Riverside (1-1)

Mid Valley (0-2)

Holy Cross (0-2)

Lakeland (0-2)

Western Wayne (0-2)

 

 

DIVISION 3

Carbondale (2-0)

Lackawanna Trail (1-1)

Susquehanna (1-1)

Forest City (0-0)

Blue Ridge (0-0)

Montrose (0-1)

Mountain View (0-2)

Elk Lake (0-2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

That’s it for this week!