Mid Valley Spartans

TUNKHANNOCK, PA — On a warm Saturday afternoon in Tunkhannock, two of the area’s top softball programs collided in a battle defined by pitching dominance and defensive precision. And in the end, it was McKenzie Hannon and the Tigers who stood tall.

In a tightly contested battle on Friday afternoon, Elk Lake held off a late seventh-inning rally from Mid Valley to secure a 3-2 victory on the road.

“Limits exist only in the mind.” For Matt Marcinek, these aren’t just words—they’re a way of life. Born with cerebral palsy, Matt could’ve let the world define him by his condition. Instead, he forged a path no one saw coming. Through sweat, science, and sheer will, he became a respected grappling coach, a mental performance expert, and the founder of No Limits Grappling Academy—Scranton’s powerhouse of No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu. His journey isn’t just about martial arts. It’s about refusing to be boxed in. About transforming pain into purpose. About proving that greatness isn’t reserved for the lucky or the able-bodied—it’s earned by those who keep showing up, even when it’s hard. In every class he teaches, every student he guides, and every story of struggle he helps rewrite, Matt’s message rings loud and clear: You are not your limitations. You are your mindset.

Nick Mills puts college scouts on notice with a monster grand slam and a locked-in start on the mound. As Mid Valley continues to roll, Mills is proving he’s not just a star locally—he’s one of the best prospects in the the State. Spartans earn the dub 10-1.

The Spartans came out swinging and never let up. Despite a third-inning grand slam from Montroses Hudson Aukema that briefly shifted the momentum, Mid Valley's early offensive explosion—powered by Carter Musewicz and Brett Yanoski—kept the Spartans firmly in control. A clean game on defense and clutch hitting sealed a 15–5 statement win at home.

This past weekend, three local athletes showcased their exceptional talents on national and collegiate stages. Senior thrower Tommy Fiorelli earned a silver medal in the shot put at the Adidas Indoor Nationals, demonstrating remarkable dedication and skill. Mid-Valley High School alumna and Villanova University sophomore, Maranda Runco, played a pivotal role in the Wildcats’ 12-3 victory over Georgetown University, contributing both offensively with a home run and defensively by closing the game as a pitcher. Additionally, former West Scranton High School hurdler, Colin Manley, began his outdoor track season with a commendable performance for East Stroudsburg University, finishing second in his heat and tenth overall in the hurdles event. These achievements highlight the athletes’ commitment and the supportive sports community that has fostered their growth.

Anthracite FC Clinches EDP Spring Kickoff Championship Anthracite FC 2010B AFC Bayern dominated at the EDP Spring Kickoff, securing the championship with a commanding 3-0 victory in their final match. Tied with HEX FC Dominion heading into the last game, AFC delivered under pressure, finishing unbeaten with 2 wins and 1 draw. Their balanced attack and rock-solid defense proved the difference, setting the tone for a promising season ahead.

On a night dedicated to celebrating their seniors, Old Forge secured an impressive 57-44 victory over Mid Valley, fueled by Cameron Parker’s 21-point performance and the commanding inside play of Logan Fanning. The win highlighted the Blue Devils’ determination and locked in their top seed in District 2 AA, setting the tone for an exciting postseason run.

Trailing 19-24 at halftime, Mid Valley exploded with a 19-point third quarter, flipping the momentum and outscoring Dunmore 40-25 in the second half to secure the victory. Jakob Lesher led the charge with 17 points, while Kaleik Cook and Landon Pratt combined for 26. Dunmore’s Nate Aviles matched Lesher with 17, but the Bucks could not keep pace as Mid Valleys late-game execution sealed the win.

The stage was set for a thrilling showdown in the 52nd Annual Pete Turonis Holiday Classic Championship as the unbeaten Valley View Cougars faced off against the Mid Valley Spartans. What began as a tightly contested battle turned into a second-half statement from the Cougars, who emerged victorious with a 47-35 win to claim their third consecutive tournament title.

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.

Mid Valley Takes First Place at the Boys AA Race in the PIAA District 2 XC Championships In an impressive showing at the 2024 PIAA District 2 Cross Country Championships, Mid Valley claimed the top spot in the Boys AA team standings. Held at the Wyoming County Fairgrounds in Meshoppen, PA, on October 23, 2024, the event showcased competitive teams from the region. Mid Valley secured victory with a team score of 50 points, followed closely by Crestwood and Lake Lehman. Leading Mid Valley’s charge was junior Matthew Repecki, who finished third overall with a time of 17:10.5. He was supported by solid runs from teammates Jacob Borrelli (5th) and Josh Burns (11th), pushing the team to a decisive win. The team’s depth was further demonstrated by William Powell and Reeve Owen, who placed 15th and 16th, respectively, ensuring their top finish.

Dallas Claims Victory in Girls AA Team Competition at PIAA District 2 XC Championships At the 2024 PIAA District 2 Cross Country Championships held on October 23, 2024, at the Wyoming County Fairgrounds, the Dallas girls’ cross-country team emerged as the champions in the Girls AA division. In a tightly contested race, Dallas secured the team title with a score of 71 points, edging out Valley View, who finished second with 74 points. Dallas’s win was propelled by a stellar performance from senior Madison Hedglin, who took the individual title with a time of 18:27.2. Hedglin’s dominant run set the tone for her team, with Sarah Williams placing 3rd (19:43.9) and Erika Doran finishing 6th (20:35.6), providing the necessary support to capture the championship.

SportzWire District 2 Week 10 Small School Top 10: Powered by Coach Howanitz Week 9 brought exciting matchups that caused some shuffling in the District 2 Small School rankings. Let’s break down how each team’s position has changed and analyze the key Week 9 games that led to the updates in the Week 10 rankings. 1. Scranton Prep (Previously: 1) Result: Scranton Prep 27, Jersey Shore 19 Scranton Prep remains the top team in the district after securing a solid win over Jersey Shore. With a 7-1 record, they are proving why they are a powerhouse in the small school division. Their defense and offensive execution have kept them at the top for yet another week.

Cora Gallagher and Hanarra Timas led the offensive charge for Valley View, each recording 10 kills. Reilly Sprague added nine kills of her own, while Madison Hallock contributed significantly with 13 service points and an impressive 27 assists. Layla Marino also shined, delivering 11 aces, 21 service points, and four digs to help secure the win.