Hazleton Cougars

When the first quarter came to an end, it looked like me it was going to be a possible upset for Crestwood. Hazleton Area slammed the door on the upset by only allowing six total points in the second quarter. They led 40-24 at halftime en route to a 63-51 victory to win their second consecutive Wyoming Valley Conference Championship over Crestwood. Alexis Reimold had a game high 22 points and Kaitlyn Bindas added 15 for Hazleton Area.

Hazleton Area has proven themselves as the top team in District 2 for the 2024-2025 season. Sophia Benyo had a game high 21 points and Kaitlyn Bindas added 20 as the Lady Cougars advanced to the WVC Championship with a 75-46 victory over Holy Redeemer. Hazleton Area is looking to repeat as WVC Champions.

Field hockey is where Bella truly shines. Playing for Hazleton Area High School, she has broken records, earned multiple honors, and proven herself as one of the best players in her division. As a key player on the team, Bella has accumulated an impressive 110 points, with 50 goals and 10 assists in her most recent season. Her outstanding performance led her to be named to the Pennsylvania All-State Second Team and the Wyoming Valley Conference All-Star Selection for Division 1. Her hard work didn’t stop there; Bella also earned a Keystone State Games All-Star Selection and contributed to Hazleton Area’s success with a WVC AAA Silver Medal.

Hazleton Area continued their undefeated streak with a commanding 81-39 victory over Dallas. Mariah Marolo led the Cougars with 21 points, including five three-pointers, while Alexis Reimold added 20 points, showcasing a balanced offensive attack. Despite a strong start from Dallas, led by Odessa Kanton's 13 points and Caitlyn Mizzer's 11, Hazleton's explosive second quarter sealed the game. The Cougars' relentless defense and sharp shooting propelled them to a 22-0 record, highlighting their dominance in the league.

Bindas Leads the Charge with Game-High 24 Points in Dominant Win Over Valley West At Hazleton Area, Kaitlyn Bindas scored a game-high 24 points to lead three Hazleton Area players in double figures in a win over Valley West. With the win, Hazleton Area clinches the Division 1 regular season championship. Sophia Shults contributed 18 points, showcasing aggressive drives and strong finishes, while Alexis Reimold added 14 points with sharp shooting. Despite the loss, Valley West saw standout performances from Aniyah Davis and Anya Richet, each scoring nine points.

NEPA Elite District 2 Girls Basketball Rankings (1/14/25) Big School: Scranton Prep holds the #1 spot, with Hazleton and Valley View rounding out the top three. Abington climbs to #4 after a strong week! Small School: Dunmore leads the pack at #1, followed by Holy Redeemer at #2. Lake-Lehman makes a big move to claim the #3 spot! Which team do you think will make the biggest leap next week? Drop your thoughts below! #HighSchoolBasketball #NEPAElite #District2 #GirlsHoops

The Hazleton Area Cougars delivered a commanding performance on Friday night, securing a decisive 76-47 victory over the Pittston Area Patriots in high school basketball action. The game, held at Hazleton Area’s home court, saw a balanced offensive attack from the Cougars, while Pittston Area struggled to keep pace despite strong individual efforts.

Hazleton Shines in Dominant Victory Over Pittston Area The Hazleton Area girls basketball team delivered a commanding 78-50 win over Pittston Area, fueled by an explosive performance from Kaitlyn Bindas, who poured in 30 points, including 7 three-pointers at an impressive 58% shooting. Hazleton’s sharp shooting from beyond the arc—13 total three-pointers at 54%—proved too much for Pittston to handle. Despite a valiant effort from Daniella Ranieli, who led Pittston with 22 points and 4 three-pointers, Hazleton’s balanced offense, supported by Alexis Reimold’s 17 points and Sophia Benyo’s 12 points, secured the victory. Pittston struggled to keep up, shooting 38% from deep with 6 three-pointers and converting 61% from the free-throw line. Hazleton’s efficiency and depth made the difference in this one-sided matchup.

Scranton Prep Eyes Another Statement Win in D2 Big School Rankings Scranton Prep remains firmly entrenched at the top of the NEPA Elite D2 Big School Girls Basketball Rankings after another dominant week, capped off by a 69-36 victory over Scranton. The undefeated Classics are gearing up for a high-profile showdown against No. 3 Valley View on January 10, a game that could shape the rest of the season. Will the Cougars defy expectations, or will Prep continue their march toward an undefeated season? All eyes are on this marquee matchup!

WBA survived a dramatic fourth-quarter surge from Hazleton to secure a 72-70 victory, with David Januzzi’s 31 points leading the way. Hazleton made it a one-point game with 30 seconds left, but a key free throw from Nashiam Ford and a defensive stop in the final seconds preserved the win for WBA.

The Hazleton Area Cougars delivered a commanding 59-18 victory over the Wilkes-Barre Area Wolfpack, fueled by Kaitlyn Bindas’ 16 points and a relentless defensive effort. Holding the Wolfpack to single-digit scoring in every quarter, the Cougars showcased their dominance on both ends of the court, securing another statement win in their impressive season.

Last season, Hazleton Area brought home the District 2 6A girls basketball championship, won a state playoff game and lost to the eventual state champion Cardinal O’Hara in the second round.

The Hazleton Area Cougars secured a convincing 66-47 victory over the Scranton Lady Knights on the strength of their relentless defensive pressure and balanced scoring attack.

The stage is set for a thrilling showdown as the undefeated Hazleton Cougars take on the Scranton Knights in a marquee girls’ high school basketball clash. The Cougars, boasting an Strong 3-0 record, have steamrolled past opponents Nazareth, Wyomissing, and Emmaus, each victory secured by 20 points or more. However, their matchup against the Knights is poised to be their toughest test yet, as both teams sit comfortably among the league’s top three rankings.

District 2 Final Rankings Set the Stage for Playoff Showdowns The final regular-season rankings Powered by Coach Howanitz for District 2 Big School and small school teams have been released by SportzWire, with Valley View securing the top spot after an impressive season. Dallas and Delaware Valley closely followed at #2 and #3, respectively, each proving their strength and consistency. With the rankings now finalized, these teams turn their focus to the playoffs, where they’ll have the chance to prove their dominance on the field.