West Wins Rivalry Battle, Holds Off East 64-58

By: Justin Bradley | Sportzwire | January 30, 2025 | Photo courtesy Justin Focus Photography

In front of a packed and electrified home crowd, the Pocono Mountain West Panthers defended their turf in the highly anticipated "Battle of the Nest vs. West," taking down the Pocono Mountain East Cardinals 64-58. The gym was buzzing with energy as fans from both sides filled the stands, eager to witness another chapter of this intense rivalry.

From the opening tip, it was clear this game was going to be a fight. West came out firing, with senior Adrian Brito putting on a show, leading all scorers with a dominant 26-point performance. Whether attacking the rim or finishing in traffic, Brito made his presence felt. But he wasn’t alone—guard KJ Coles had the hot hand, pouring in 25 points, including four deep three-pointers that sent the home crowd into a frenzy. The duo’s offensive explosion kept the Panthers in control for most of the night.

But East didn’t back down. The Cardinals, fueled by their own passionate fans, battled until the final buzzer. Parker Skoz was relentless, leading East with 19 points, showing off his smooth shooting and ability to attack the basket. Teammate Rayshawn Harris was just as fearless, adding 17 points and keeping the Cardinals within striking distance late in the game.

The second half was a rollercoaster of momentum shifts. East clawed back, cutting the lead to just a few possessions in the fourth quarter. Every basket was met with deafening cheers or groans from the crowd, making the energy in the gym feel like a playoff atmosphere. But in the end, West’s poise and clutch free throws sealed the win, allowing them to hold onto their title as “Kings of the Mountain.”

As the final buzzer sounded, West’s student section erupted in celebration, while East walked off the court knowing they had given it everything they had. The rivalry is alive and well, and with both teams showing heart and fight, fans can only hope for another showdown down between these two. 

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