.jpg "YoYo Sends It to OT: Hazleton Area Storms Back, Stuns Reading in 84–80 Thriller")
YoYo Sends It to OT: Hazleton Area Storms Back, Stuns Reading in 84–80 Thriller
By: Justin Bradley | SportzWire | December 14, 2025 | Photo courtesy Justin Focus Photography
Hazleton Area didn’t just win on Saturday night, they survived, believed, and erupted.
Hosting Reading High in nonleague action, the Cougars found themselves in a deep hole midway through the third quarter, trailing by as many as 18 points as the Red Knights controlled tempo and rhythm. Lesser teams might’ve folded. Hazleton Area leaned in.
Bit by bit, possession by possession, the Cougars chipped away.
Defense tightened. Shots started falling. The energy inside the gym shifted. And when the final seconds of regulation arrived, the ball found the right hands.
With time winding down and Hazleton needing a miracle, YoYo Moran rose up and buried a game-tying three at the horn, a shot that sent the crowd into a frenzy and forced overtime.
🎥 The Game Tying Score by Yoyo!
From there, the Cougars took over.
Hazleton outscored Reading 13–9 in overtime, showing poise at the foul line and confidence in their execution to close out an 84–80 comeback victory. Moran scored five of his points in the extra session, finishing off a night that won’t be forgotten anytime soon.
Moran led all scorers with a career-high 26 points, attacking from all levels and knocking down four three-pointers. He was relentless, fearless, and steady when the moment demanded it most.
Hazleton wasn’t a one-man show, either.
Kendrick Ortiz delivered a strong all-around performance with 18 points, while Dylan Stish added 17, giving the Cougars three players in double figures. Eddie Macko provided timely perimeter shooting, knocking down three triples on his way to 14 points, helping swing momentum during the comeback run.
Reading came in ready and nearly closed the door.
Justin DeCastro and J. Merriweather each scored 22 points for the Red Knights, while Wesley Rosario added 16. Reading controlled large stretches of the game, shot efficiently from the floor, and forced Hazleton to earn every possession late.
But on this night, belief won out.
Down 18. One shot to survive. One overtime to finish it.
Hazleton Area showed exactly what resilience looks like.
Scoring Breakdown
Hazleton Area Cougars
Yoyo Moran – 26 points | 10 FG | 2–5 FT | 4 3FG
Kendrick Ortiz – 18 points | 7 FG | 4–6 FT | 1 3FG
Dylan Stish – 17 points | 6 FG | 3–4 FT | 2 3FG
Eddie Macko – 14 points | 3 FG | 5–6 FT | 3 3FG
Oscady Vasquez – 5 points | 2 FG | — | 1 3FG
Reading Red Knights
Justin DeCastro – 22 points | 9 FG | 4–6 FT | 0 3FG
J. Merriweather – 22 points | 10 FG | 1–3 FT | 1 3FG
Wesley Rosario – 16 points | 5 FG | 6–8 FT | 0 3FG
Jamier Jacob – 8 points | 4 FG | — | 0 3FG
Cameron Jones – 7 points | 2 FG | 2–2 FT | 1 3FG
