In an exciting series of high school basketball games on Friday, several teams showcased their talent, with standout performances leading to notable victories. Schuylkill Haven defeated Weatherly 75-65, while Nativity celebrated a significant milestone as Trey Keating surpassed 2,000 career points in a 65-45 win over Marian.
Schuylkill Haven’s success was driven by strong contributions from key players. Justin Watcher scored 23 points, while Brady Kelly and Matt Lucas each added 19 points. Alan Evans rounded out the scoring with 12 points. For Weatherly, Ian Mckeegan led the way with a remarkable 27 points, along with Niko Saldukas contributing 16 points. The junior varsity game also saw Haven triumph, finishing 49-36.
Notable Performances Across Matches
In another Division II matchup, Trey Keating’s impressive 35-point performance helped Nativity secure a victory over Marian. With this game, Keating joined the elite group of players who have surpassed the 2,000-point mark in their high school careers. Teammates Jake Swartz and Nick Clarke supported the effort with nine and eight points, respectively. For Marian, Jacob De La Cruz led the scoring with 13 points, supported by Greg Tirpak who added 10.
The action continued with Pottsville’s 67-41 win against Tamaqua. Christian Alvarez led the Crimson Tide with 15 points, while Jordan Bowers and Chris Hobbs contributed nine and eight points, respectively. The Blue Raiders struggled, with Jakin Tamagini leading their effort with 16 points.
In a road matchup, Panther Valley defeated Mahanoy Area 65-51. Danny Wehr was a key player for Panther Valley, scoring 19 points. Supporting him were Brody Breiner with 14 points and Chase McArdle with 10. For Mahanoy Area, Nico Dicasmirro led with 15 points, while Connor Bowman and Ryan Zilker added 14 and 12 points, respectively. Mahanoy Area won the junior varsity contest 71-51.
Girls’ Basketball and Wrestling Highlights
In girls’ basketball, Crestwood dominated Pittston Area, winning 65-32. After a previous loss to Dallas, the Lady Comets bounced back impressively. Charlie Hiller led Crestwood with 19 points, with Jackie Gallagher and Keira Dougherty adding 15 and 12 points, respectively.
The Coal Cracker Invitational also showcased strong performances in girls’ wrestling. Hazleton Area and Crestwood both made significant strides, with Hazleton sitting ninth and Crestwood in eleventh place in the team rankings. Upper Dauphin led the competition with 78 points, closely followed by Hughesville with 77.5 points.
Crestwood had five wrestlers advance to the quarterfinals, including Emmersyn Seltzer (114 pounds) and Rachel Shoemaker (120 pounds). Hazleton’s Valerie Bustillo also advanced, winning multiple matches, including a high-scoring battle against Gianna Jones from Owen J. Roberts.
These competitive matchups across basketball and wrestling highlight the dedication and talent within high school sports, making for an exciting Friday night filled with memorable performances.
