Crestwood Rides Stellar Defense To Win Over Pittston Area
By: Nate Johns | SportzWire | December 19, 2025 | Photo courtesy Bob Gaetano
Crestwood boys basketball won its WVC Division 1 opener 39-29 against Pittston Area at home. The game was a defensive battle, and the Comets, who had the best defense in the division last season only allowing only 44.1 points per game, got the win.
Both fanbases packed the gym at Crestwood High School, with the student sections especially creating a raucous environment.
“It was great, we haven’t had a crowd like that in years,” Crestwood senior guard Gio Barna said.
Despite the hostile road environment, Pittston Area jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead and held the Comets scoreless through the first 2:55. Crestwood responded with a 5-0 run of its own to tie the game with one minute to go in the first quarter.
The game was tied until there was 10 seconds left in the quarter when Aidan Clarke hit a corner three to put the Patriots up 8-5 after the first quarter.
After a quick Crestwood basket cut the lead to one, Pittston went on a 6-0 run early in the second quarter to take a 14-7 lead. The run included three straight steals for the Patriots, which included a steal and score from Stephen Barnic.
The run ended when Crestwood senior forward Ayden Agapito knocked down the first of two free throws. He missed the second, but an offensive rebound led to him knocking down a three to make it 14-11. Agapito scored six of his team-leading 11 points in the second quarter.
“It’s about letting the buckets come to you and getting the right shot at the right time,” Agapito said.
The Comets tied the game at 14 with 3:36 left in the second quarter after a three pointer by Miles Metz, his second of the game. The two teams traded baskets before an Agapito layup gave the Comets a 17-16 lead heading into halftime.
The Comets ramped up the defensive intensity in the third quarter, holding the Patriots to five points. After Lucas LoPresto hit a three to tie the game at 19, Crestwood ended the quarter on a 9-2 run with a three from Zach Sechleer as the exclamation point.
Pittston hit a three early in the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to four, but the Comets went on a 4-0 run to ice the game and won 39-29.
“Screening, scoring, handling the ball, I thought we just did a lot in the second half to win that game,” Coach Atherton said.
The Comets improved to 5-2 on the season and 1-0 in WVC Division 1 play. They will be back home on Dec. 20 hosting Wilkes-Barre Area. The Patriots fell to 4-3 and will hit the road again on Dec. 20 to face Dallas.
“We have to keep working and grinding at practice,” Barna said.
