Scranton Wins Their 5th Straight District 2 6A Title
By: John Kotsko | Sportzwire | March 2, 2025 | Photo courtesy Justin Focus Photography
With the game tied just before halftime, Tony Battaglia found Jayden Burrell in the corner and Burrell hit the three at the buzzer. “It was momentum building going into half.” Said Scranton head coach Tony Battaglia. The Knights used that momentum to propel them to their fifth straight District 2 6A Championship 44-35 over Hazleton Area. Tony Battaglia had a game high 15 points and Jayden Burrell added nine.
The Cougars started off by hitting back to back three pointers by Ryan Staffin and Gavin Perkosk and led 8-5 at the end of the first quarter. After both teams traded baskets, Tony Battaglia hit a three pointer to tie the game then got a basket to take a two point lead. A basket by Dylan Stish tied the game up and back to back baskets by Luis Guzman gave Hazleton Area a four point lead. A 6-0 run by the Knights gave Scranton the lead. Franklin Ritz hit a pair of free throws to tie the game. Just before the buzzer, Battaglia found Jayden Burrell in the corner for a three that Burrell sank at the buzzer to lead 21-18 at halftime.
Scranton went on a 7-0 run to start the third quarter to increase the lead to ten. Late in the third quarter, Hazleton Area went on a 7-0 run to cut the Knights lead down to six but a basket by Jaheam Roberts made it 34-26 as we got to the end of the third quarter.
The Cougars went on a 6-0 run to start the fourth to cut the deficit to two. After free throws by Pedro Lugo to make it a four point game. Dylan Stish hit a three pointer to cut the lead down to one. That was the closest Hazleton Area could muster as Scranton hit their free throws to take a 44-35 victory over Hazleton Area to secure their fifth straight District 2 6A Championship. For Hazleton Area, Luis Guzman had a team high 14 points and Ryan Staffin added 10.
Scranton 44 Hazleton Area 35
Hazleton Area
Ryan Staffin 7
Gavin Perkosky 5
Dylan Stish 5
Luis Guzman 14
Franklin Ritz 2
David Reyes 2
Scranton
Jonathan Levine 6
Jaheam Roberts 7
Tony Battaglia 15
Jayden Burrell 9
Pedro Lugo 7
