Abington Heights Comets

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.

NEPA Elite Volleyball Club continued to make a statement across the Northeast this weekend at the Irish Madness Invitational at Harrah’s in Atlantic City. Competing against 30+ teams from multiple states, NEPA Elite teams battled through high-level competition with 16U Wildfire and 17U Storm both finishing an impressive 4th place overall. Athletes representing over 28 schools across District 2, District 4, and District 11 came together to compete as one, proving that NEPA Elite continues to grow as one of the region’s most competitive and respected volleyball programs

Hazelton Area's Evelyn Sheer AKA "The Pink Nightmare", the 1st seed, started off strong with a 27 second pin in the semifinals which advanced her to the finals. Crestwood's Samara Bailey, the 2nd seed and last year's runner-up, had also picked up a quick 24 second pin to advance her to the finals. This finals match was crazy with multiple takedowns and reversals.

WILKES-BARRE — The lights were bright. The crowd was loud. And when it mattered most, Abington Heights rose to the moment.

Because front row isn’t just a seat in the arena, it’s a place in the story. And the story is still being written.

Abington Heights turned a tight third quarter into a title clincher Monday night, pulling away late to beat Valley View 61 to 43 and secure the Lackawanna League Division I boys basketball championship.

You can game-plan it. You can throw bodies at it. You can try to slow it down. None of it mattered Tuesday night. Jordan Shaffer owned the paint, the pace, and the moment as Abington Heights handed top-ranked Scranton Prep an 84–61 wake-up call in Division I action.

Pennsylvania high school football excellence has a long memory and once again, District 2 talent is etched into it. Six local standouts have earned Mini Maxwell recognition, placing them among the state’s elite and one step closer to football immortality.

District 2 was well represented on the 2025 Pennsylvania Football Writers’ Class 5A All-State Team, led by Pittston Area athlete Lucas LoPresto and Abington Heights wide receiver Gavin Anders, both earning statewide recognition among Pennsylvania’s top large-school performers. The Class 5A honors were headlined by Roman Catholic quarterback Semaj Beals, who was named Player of the Year, while Rick Prete earned Coach of the Year honors after guiding the Cahillites through another championship-caliber season. The All-State roster highlights elite talent from across the Commonwealth, spanning every phase of the game.

Abington Heights made it uncomfortable. The fourth quarter got loud. And the margin shrank fast. But Pocono Mountain West stayed steady, trusted its composure, and closed out another gritty win.

The Comets exploded out of the gate with one of the hottest shooting starts seen anywhere in District 2 this season, burying seven three-pointers in the opening quarter and stunning previously unbeaten Dallas with an early surge. The ball moved crisply, shots fell in waves, and Abington Heights controlled both the pace and confidence from the opening tip.

It’s shaping up to be one of the most anticipated early-season games in District 2 as the Dallas Mountaineers host the Abington Heights Comets on Tuesday night. Dallas brings a perfect 3–0 record into the matchup and the confidence that comes with defending its home floor, while Abington Heights is unbeaten as well after opening the season with emphatic wins over Wyoming Valley West (79–47) and Shamokin Area (74–55).

The state’s biggest stage brought out the best in District 2’s top girls cross country teams and runners. Abington Heights senior Anna Pucilowski blazed her way to an 18th-place state medal, while Crestwood’s Katie Kozich and Delaware Valley’s Grace Holderith followed close behind with top-25 finishes. Elk Lake’s young core impressed in “Single A,” finishing just 41 points out of first with standout sophomore Kendyl Weisgold earning a 9th-place medal. Montrose, Wallenpaupack, and Valley View added strong team efforts in a day that showcased the depth, talent, and future promise of girls distance running across Northeast Pennsylvania.

Homecoming night turned historic in Clarks Summit as Abington Heights senior Gavin Anders became the all-time leader in receiving yards. Behind strong efforts from Noah Kayal and Jayden Anglin, the Comets stormed past Scranton 49–13 to improve to 7–2 on the season.

The Mid Valley-based NEPA Storm completed a flawless 5-0 run to claim the 10U Travel Softball Championship at Connell Park in South Scranton. Behind dominant pitching from Nora Piercy and Grace Eboli, and key hits from Arya Ameika and Lilyana Smargiassi, the Storm topped the Abington Wildcats 4-2 in Sunday’s title game to secure the tournament crown.