Delco Holds Off Comets: Abington Heights’ Season Ends in Tight State Playoff Battle
By: Matt Flanagan | SportzWire | March 7, 2026 | Photo courtesy Sportzwire
CLARKS SUMMIT — Abington Heights battled until the final buzzer Friday night, but Springfield Delco held on late to escape with a 49–47 victory in the opening round of the PIAA Class 5A state playoffs, ending the Comets’ season in a tightly contested matchup.
The Comets came out strong early, jumping ahead 15–9 after the first quarter behind balanced scoring and strong defensive pressure. Springfield Delco settled in during the second quarter, however, cutting into the deficit and taking a slim 20–19 lead into halftime.
The back-and-forth battle continued throughout the second half. Springfield Delco built a small cushion in the third quarter, but Abington Heights refused to go away. The Comets rallied late in the fourth, scoring 19 points in the final period and pushing the game to the brink before ultimately falling just short.
Jordan Shaffer led Abington Heights with a game-high 19 points, knocking down five three-pointers to keep the Comets within striking distance throughout the night. Andrew Kettel added 11 points and three three-pointers, while Finn Goldberg chipped in seven points. Carter Plantz contributed four points in the effort, and Thomas Reese added three.
Springfield Delco was paced by a balanced attack, led by Will Valetti’s 20 points. Tom Toomey added 16 points and four three-pointers, while Will Carr finished with seven points and Peter Altes added six.
Both teams shot the ball well from deep, with Abington Heights hitting nine three-pointers compared to Springfield Delco’s seven. The difference ultimately came at the free throw line, where Springfield Delco converted 10 free throws compared to just four for the Comets.
Despite the loss, Abington Heights capped off a strong season that included multiple signature wins and a deep run through the District 2 playoffs. The Comets battled one of the stronger programs from the Philadelphia area to the final possession, demonstrating the resilience that defined their season.
Springfield Delco advances to the second round of the PIAA Class 5A state tournament, while Abington Heights finishes its season at 22–6.
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