Keating’s Historic Night Powers Nativity Past Williams Valley
By: Carrie Miner Yaple | SportzWire | December 21, 2025 | Photo courtesy Gilson Brother
Pottsville ~
Nativity’s gym turned into a showcase Thursday night, and Trey Keating made sure no one would forget it anytime soon.
The senior delivered a performance that blended history with dominance, exploding for 45 points and hauling in 15 rebounds as the Hilltoppers pulled away from Williams Valley for a 75–58 Schuylkill League Division II victory in Pottsville. By the final buzzer, Keating hadn’t just led his team to a win — he had cemented his place at the top of Nativity’s scoring legacy.
Needing a big night to climb past the program’s all-time scoring leaders, Keating wasted little time setting the tone. He found his rhythm early, scoring from deep and attacking the lane, helping Nativity seize control before Williams Valley could settle in. The Hilltoppers opened the game with confidence and never trailed, using a strong first quarter to establish momentum.
As the game progressed, Keating continued to stretch the defense in every way possible. He buried eight shots from beyond the arc, converted nearly every free throw opportunity, and dominated the glass, making his presence felt on both ends of the floor. His scoring total pushed his career mark to 1,798 points, moving him past Jeff Yordy and Kevin Cuff atop Nativity’s record book.
While Keating was the centerpiece, he wasn’t alone. Jake Bowman provided a steady scoring punch with 14 points, and Layne Pasker added 10 more, giving the Hilltoppers enough balance to keep Williams Valley from keying on one option.
The Vikings showed resilience, particularly in the second half, but struggled to slow Nativity’s pace. Evan Achenbach led Williams Valley with 17 points, while Gabe Rodriguez and Dickerson chipped in 14 and 13, respectively. Still, every time the Vikings threatened to close the gap, Keating answered.
Nativity continued to widen the margin each quarter, closing the night with its most productive stretch in the fourth. By then, the outcome was clear, and the focus shifted to the significance of the moment.
On a night filled with milestones, Keating delivered a performance that will be remembered long after the season ends — not just for the records broken, but for the way he controlled the game from start to finish.
