Sportzwire Athlete of the Week: Tony Battaglia, Scranton High School
By: Carrie Miner Yaple | SportzWire | January 8, 2026 | Photo courtesy Sportzwire
For Tony Battaglia, basketball has never just been a sport—it’s been a way of life.
A senior at Scranton High School, Battaglia has built a name for himself as one of the most dynamic scorers the program has ever seen. While he grew up playing multiple sports, basketball was always the constant. He played baseball up until his freshman year and even spent his 9th and 10th grade seasons on the golf course, but the hardwood was where his heart truly lived.
“I’ve played basketball since I’m out the womb,” Battaglia said with a laugh. “When I was little, I played baseball too, but it felt too slow to me. Basketball was straight action 24/7, and I just fell in love with it and wanted to get better and better.”
That love has translated into results—historic ones.
Recently, Battaglia etched his name into Scranton High School history by scoring 47 points in a single game, the most ever by a Knight, surpassing the previous record held by Jason Shields. On top of that, he drained 10 three-pointers, tying the school record—also held by Shields—for most threes in a game. It was a performance that showcased everything Battaglia brings to the floor: confidence, range, and a relentless scoring mentality.
Those numbers are just part of a larger résumé. Battaglia currently holds the school record for most three-pointers made in a career with 202, breaking a mark previously set by Lamar Johnson. He is also just 50 points away from reaching the coveted 1,000-point milestone for his high school career, a testament to his consistency and dedication over four seasons.
Beyond individual accolades, Battaglia has been a key piece in Scranton’s team success. Alongside his teammates, he helped deliver several District titles and is hoping to add “one more” before his high school career comes to a close. Earlier in his career, his impact was recognized with a Freshman of the Year award, and he has since earned multiple First Team honors as his role and leadership have grown.
A major influence behind Tony’s development has been his father, who has played the dual role of coach and parent throughout his journey.
“He’s helped me my whole life,” Battaglia said. “I shoot, he rebounds for me. If he notices anything about my game that needs adjusting, we work on it. And outside of that, he’s my dad.”
That support system has helped Tony thrive not only on the court, but off it as well. In the classroom, he is a High Honors student and a member of the National Honor Society. In the community, he gives back through volunteer work with his church, showing that his character matches his talent.
Whether it’s breaking records, chasing championships, or putting in extra shots after practice, Tony Battaglia embodies what it means to be a student-athlete. With history already made and milestones still within reach, the Scranton High senior continues to prove why he is Sportzwire’s Athlete of the Week—and why his story is far from finished.
The Sportzwire Athlete of the Week feature is proudly sponsored by Envy Electrical, supporting local student-athletes and celebrating excellence.
