Pratt and Buza power Mid Valley past Carbondale Area for a nonleague win
By: Brad Loff | SportzWire | December 9, 2025 | Photo courtesy Jillian Loff
Mid Valley shook off a slow start, locked in on both ends of the floor in the second quarter, and rode a senior backcourt trio to a 48 to 39 victory over visiting Carbondale Area in boys basketball on Tuesday night.
Carbondale came out sharper, jumping in front 11 to 6 after one quarter as Cameron Williams and Francisco Roman found early scoring lanes. Mid Valley settled in during the second, outscoring the Chargers 19 to 9 behind aggressive drives from Landon Pratt and steady interior work from Zack Buza. That surge sent the Spartans into halftime with a 25 to 20 lead, a cushion they never surrendered.
The third quarter stayed tight, with Mid Valley edging Carbondale 13 to 12 to push the advantage to 38 to 32 heading to the fourth. Whenever the Chargers threatened, the Spartans answered at the foul line and on key perimeter possessions. In the final quarter Mid Valley closed it out 10 to 7, with patient half court offense and late free throws sealing the nine point win and moving the Spartans to 2 and 1 on the season, while Carbondale Area slipped to 1 and 3.
Senior guard Landon Pratt set the tone for Mid Valley with a game high 16 points. He finished with six field goals and went four for six at the line, giving the Spartans a reliable option whenever they needed a basket in the lane or a composed trip to the stripe.
Buza delivered one of the most complete lines of the night. The junior forward scored 14 points, knocking down three field goals including one three point basket and converting seven of nine free throws for a strong 77.8 percent showing at the stripe. His ability to both step out and absorb contact inside gave the Chargers matchup issues throughout the second and third quarters.
Junior guard Jeremy Cali provided the late game composure Mid Valley needed. Cali scored nine points on two field goals and a five for ten effort at the foul line, and his five made free throws in the fourth quarter helped keep Carbondale at arm’s length in the closing minutes.
Senior guard Brett Yanoski and junior forward Richard Lupcho supplied timely perimeter shooting. Yanoski finished with Nine points, all from beyond the arc, hitting three- three point baskets. Lupcho added three points on a single three, giving Mid Valley four made three point shots as a team. Overall, the Spartans went 16 for 27 at the line, a shade under sixty percent, but they made enough late to protect the lead.
On the Carbondale side, Williams and Roman kept the Chargers within striking distance all night. Williams matched Buza with 14 points of his own, knocking down six field goals and connecting on two three point shots. Roman added 12 points on five field goals and a perfect one for one at the stripe, also hitting one three. Together they combined for 26 of Carbondale’s 39 points and all three of the team’s three point baskets.
Cole Becchetti contributed six points for Carbondale, going two for three at the line, while Travis Spencer and Mateo Spinelli chipped in two and four points. As a group, the Chargers finished four for seven at the free throw line, just over fifty seven percent, and 16 field goals overall.
For Mid Valley, the victory also continues impressive early season production from its senior leaders. Through three games, Pratt and Buza are now tied for the team scoring lead with 37 points each, while Cali has totaled 32 points and Yanoski has supplied 12 points entirely from the perimeter with four three point baskets. That balance, along with a rotation that gets contributions from juniors and underclassmen, gives the Spartans multiple options as they move deeper into December.
Stats breakdown for top scorers
Mid Valley
Landon Pratt 16 points, 6 field goals, 4 for 6 free throws, 0 three point baskets
Zack Buza 14 points, 3 field goals, 7 for 9 free throws, 1 three point basket
Jeremy Cali 9 points, 2 field goals, 5 for 10 free throws, 0 three point baskets
Brett Yanoski 9 points, 3 field goals, 0 for 2 free throws, 3 three point baskets
Richard Lupcho 3 points, 1 field goal, 0 free throw attempts, 1 three point basket
Carbondale Area
Cameron Williams 14 points, 6 field goals, 0 for 1 free throws, 2 three point baskets
Francisco Roman 12 points, 5 field goals, 1 for 1 free throws, 1 three point basket
Cole Becchetti 6 points, 2 field goals, 2 for 3 free throws, 0 three point baskets
Mateo Spinelli 4 points, 2 field goals, 0 free throw attempts, 0 three point baskets
Travis Spencer 2 points, 1 field goal, 0 free throw attempts, 0 three point baskets
