Wolfpack Flip the Switch Late, Pull Away from Pittston Area in WVC Statement Win
By: Justin Bradley | SportzWire | January 6, 2026 | Photo courtesy Justin Focus Photography
YATESVILLE — For most of the night, this one felt destined for a photo finish.
Wilkes Barre Area and Pittston Area traded blows through three tight quarters Tuesday, with the gym buzzing and both student sections fully engaged. But when the moment demanded a closer, Wilkes-Barre Area delivered on the defensive end.
The Wolfpack clamped down in the fourth quarter, holding Pittston Area to 10 points, and just 17 in the entire second half, to pull away for a 53–44 Wyoming Valley Conference Division I victory.
Mike Keating led the charge with a steady 16-point performance, while David Jannuzzi and Zion Magee added timely buckets as Wilkes-Barre Area turned defense into separation. What had been a one-possession game for much of the night flipped quickly once the Wolfpack found another gear.
Pittston Area stayed right there behind strong perimeter shooting from Stephen Barnic and consistent interior play from Brennan Callahan, but the Patriots couldn’t break through once Wilkes-Barre Area tightened the screws late.
From the opening tip, the atmosphere matched the stakes. Pittston Area jumped out early, Wilkes-Barre Area countered, and the two sides went punch-for-punch until the Wolfpack’s fourth-quarter surge finally tilted the floor.
In a game that lived on energy and emotion, Wilkes-Barre Area’s composure and defense proved decisive.
TOP PERFORMERS
Wilkes-Barre Area
- Mike Keating — 16 points
- David Jannuzzi — 11 points
- Zion Magee — 11 points
Pittston Area
- Stephen Barnic — 13 points (3 three-pointers)
- Brennan Callahan — 11 points
- Lucas Lopresto — 9 points
