Abington Heights Comets

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.

Abington Heights senior wideout Gavin Anders etched his name into the record books Friday night, becoming the Comets’ all-time receptions leader with 119 career catches. Anders added six grabs for 73 yards and a touchdown in a 31–14 win over Wallenpaupack, pushing Abington Heights to 6–2 on the season.

On a night dedicated to childhood pancreatic cancer awareness, Abington Heights junior Jack Hartshorn drilled a 30-yard game-winning field goal with 11 seconds left to lift the Comets past Scranton Prep, 17–15. The former Cavalier capped a night of redemption and heart, snapping a six-game skid to Prep as teammates celebrated both victory and cause.

WarriorFest delivered a week of spirit and tradition at Delaware Valley, capped off by senior Mike Iuzzolino’s two rushing scores and 98-yard kickoff return, plus a 53-yard burst from Devin Estevez, as the Warriors defended the Black and Blue Jug with a 28–14 win over Abington Heights. DV (2–4) will host Long Island Lutheran next week, while the Comets (4–2) turn their attention to Scranton Prep.

North Pocono continues to hold the top spot in the District 2 Big School Top 10, nearly doubling its point total from last week to 94. Abington Heights and Pittston Area remain close behind, while Valley View jumps into the top five. Delaware Valley also climbs a spot, pushing Crestwood down to eighth, as the middle of the rankings sees plenty of movement.

Abington Heights used a dominant rushing attack and a 21-point second quarter to defeat Valley View 45–7 on Friday night in Clarks Summit. Jayden Anglin rushed for 155 yards and two scores, Nick Bradley accounted for three touchdowns, and kicker Jack Hartshorn went 6-for-6 on extra points and added a 28-yard field goal. Tristan Smith scored the Cougars’ lone touchdown in the third quarter, followed by a Braden Loff extra point. Halftime was delayed after Valley View was locked out of its locker room, leading to a late finish.