Hazleton Area Gets Revenge, Captures WVC Championship in Rubber Match with Crestwood
By: Matt Flanagan | SportzWire | February 14, 2026 | Photo courtesy Bob Gaetano
When the Wyoming Valley Conference championship tipped off Saturday afternoon, it felt like the perfect ending to a season-long rivalry. The area’s two best teams — Hazleton Area and Crestwood — met for the third time this year after splitting their regular-season matchups, setting the stage for a true rubber match with a championship on the line.
This time, Hazleton Area rose to the moment.
Behind a dominant performance from Kaitlyn Bindas, the Cougars earned a hard-fought 60-55 victory over Crestwood, claiming the WVC title and delivering a statement win in one of the season’s most anticipated showdowns.
Bindas led the charge with a game-high 20 points, attacking with confidence and providing the offensive spark that fueled Hazleton Area throughout the contest. Her aggressive play and timely scoring helped swing momentum during key stretches, allowing the Cougars to seize control when the game tightened.
The championship clash lived up to expectations from start to finish. Crestwood showed early energy and balance offensively, while Hazleton Area countered with patience and defensive intensity. The turning point came in the third quarter, when the Cougars surged behind strong execution on both ends of the floor, building momentum that carried into the decisive final minutes.
Sophia Benyo added 17 points in a strong supporting role, while Mariah Marolo contributed 10 points as Hazleton’s balanced attack proved critical against a disciplined Crestwood defense. Down the stretch, Hazleton capitalized at the free-throw line and delivered key defensive stops to secure the championship.
Crestwood battled until the final buzzer, with Cameron Vieney providing a late scoring surge that kept the Comets within striking distance. Jackie Gallagher and Charlie Hiller added key contributions as Crestwood pushed until the final moments, showcasing the resilience that defined their season.
With the season series split entering the game, Saturday’s matchup became the deciding chapter — and Hazleton Area delivered its strongest performance when the stakes were highest, capturing the WVC crown and building momentum heading into postseason play.
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