BOYS BASKETBALL ROUNDUPWarriors, Patriots streaking in opposite directions

Four days after taking over first place in Wyoming Valley Conference Division 2 boys basketball, the Wyoming Area Warriors were put to the test in protecting that lead.

The Warriors overtook defending champion Holy Redeemer Tuesday night, then squared off with Nanticoke, the team that had joined the Royals in a second-place tie.

Wyoming Area’s 46-37, home-court victory Saturday afternoon was the team’s third straight and sixth in the last seven games. It left the Warriors at 3-0 in the division and 8-4 overall. They are third off 10 teams battling for eight berths in the District 2 Class 4A playoffs.

Pittston Area dropped three games, all by at least 20 points, in five days as its losing streak reached five games. The Patriots are 1-4 and sixth of eight teams in WVC Division 1 and have slipped to 4-8 overall, leaving them lost in a ratings race for seeds in the seven-team District 2 Class 5A playoffs.

Wyoming Area 46, Nanticoke 37

Dane Schutter and Anthony DeLucca scored 15 points each to lead Saturday’s victory.

Schutter, who was 5-for-6 from the line, made four baskets for eight points during the second quarter.

Wyoming Area took an 11-5 lead after eight minutes. The second quarter was the only one in which Nanticoke outscored the Warriors, but Schutter’s effort limited the damages and the kept Wyoming Area in front 22-17 at halftime.

DeLucca hit 3-pointers in each of the first two quarters, then scored nine points in the fourth quarter when he was 5-for-10 from the line.

Brady Noone had five of his seven points during the fourth quarter to help keep the Warriors on top.

Gavin Turak scored 13 points and Liam Mullery added 11 for the Trojans.

Dallas 59, Pittston Area 39

Host Dallas limited Pittston Area to four baskets from inside the arc Friday night.

Nick Williams scored 18 points to lead the Mountaineers.

Paul Jordan McGarry made four 3-pointers while leading Pittston Area with 16 points. Chris Scavo added nine points, all the result of 3-pointers.

Pittston Area was within 17-13 after one quarter and 29-24 at halftime before being outscored 30-15 in the second half, including 18-8 over the last eight minutes.

Wilkes-Barre Area 65, Pittston Area 38

Division co-leader Wilkes-Barre Area won at Pittston Area Tuesday night.

Evan Laybourn-Boddie scored 22 points for the Wolfpack, including eight in the second quarter when Wilkes-Barre Area turned a tie game into a 34-23 lead.

Ciaran Bilbow led the Patriots with 15 points. He had 10 of the team’s 15 points in the second half.

Hazleton Area 54, Pittston Area 20

Hazleton Area pummeled host Pittston Area 21-2 in the first quarter Monday.

The Cougars then held the Patriots to one point in the third quarter while stretching a 34-12 halftime lead to 46-13.