North Pocono Trojans

North Pocono rolled to a convincing 7-1 win over Wallenpaupack on Saturday, thanks to a strong start and a standout performance in the circle.

Isabella Forgione fueled a 14-hit outburst with five RBIs, while SportzWire’s newest sideline shooter — bat boy-turned-photographer Tommy — captured the moment post game as North Pocono rolled past Delaware Valley in a 12-2 win.

Ariella Bell was untouchable, tossing a perfect game with nine strikeouts, while Riley Grambo went 3-for-3 at the plate as North Pocono shut out West Scranton 10-0 in five innings.

Gabby Hieber blasted a two-run walk-off home run in the ninth and threw a complete game in the circle, leading Wallenpaupack to a dramatic 6–4 extra-inning win over North Pocono.

“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.

In a contest packed with fireworks, North Pocono proved they belong among the elite, handing top-ranked Valley View their first loss of the season behind timely hitting, a clutch performance from Amelia Bell, and a relentless offensive attack.

Amelia Bell dominated in the circle and at the plate, leading North Pocono to an 8-2 win over Dallas. Bell struck out 11 and added two hits and two RBIs, while Adysen Iyoobs two-run homer helped seal the victory. Dallas was led by Travers 2-for-2 effort and strong plate discipline, but the Lady Trojans pulled away with a big fifth and sixth inning.

It was a dominant weekend for several local lacrosse programs, with Scranton Prep, Crestwood, and Abington Heights all turning in impressive performances. The Cavaliers overwhelmed North Pocono with a 15-1 victory, Crestwood’s girls edged Delaware Valley in a tight 10-8 battle, and Abington Heights rolled past Wyoming Area 16-2, showcasing firepower and depth across the board.

The Wilkes-Barre Wolfpack pulled off a big win at home, rallying late to beat the North Pocono Trojans 8-4 in a game that had plenty of twists and momentum swings. North Pocono had the early edge, but the Wolfpack stayed in it and delivered a game-changing sixth inning, scoring six runs to take control. Omar Jerez came up clutch with a big bases-clearing double, while Ben Thomas pitched strong in relief to earn the win. The Wolfpack’s discipline at the plate and timely hits made the difference, showing they’re a team that knows how to battle back and close strong.

When the lights were the brightest, Maggie Coleman delivered a performance for the ages. The Abington Heights senior put on a shooting clinic, pouring in 40 points and sinking an unbelievable 12 three-pointers to lead the Comets to a convincing 63-30 playoff victory over North Pocono on Wednesday night.

**Excerpt:** The Valley View Cougars delivered a commanding performance on Boys Basketball Youth Night, cruising to a 69-41 victory over North Pocono. From the opening tip, the Cougars set the tone with a 23-6 first-quarter surge, led by Beyon McLean’s game-high 23 points. Senior Noah Veno added 19 points, including four three-pointers, while Nick Kucharski contributed 13 points in a balanced offensive effort. Defensively, Valley View stifled North Pocono, holding them to just three three-pointers and forcing tough shots throughout the game. With the win, the Cougars improved to 14-3, solidifying their momentum as they eye a strong postseason run.

Lady Knights Edge Out North Pocono in a Thriller, 55-51 Maggie O’Shea led the way with 17 points, including 12 in the first half, as Scranton held off North Pocono for a 55-51 victory at Scranton High School. The Lady Knights built a 30-19 halftime lead, but North Pocono stormed back, narrowing the deficit to three points in the final minute. Scranton sealed the win with a late free throw, completing a season sweep over the Lady Trojans. Balanced scoring proved crucial for Scranton, with contributions from Jaelyn Akers (9 points), Chrissy Jacklinski (8 points), and Catherine Hill (6 points). North Pocono’s offense was paced by Julia Biko’s 12 points and Anna Clementoni’s 11. Despite a valiant comeback effort, the Lady Trojans fell short, dropping to 8-7 on the season. Scranton (10-5) now looks ahead to a matchup with Scranton Prep on January 27.

COVINGTON TOWNSHIP – The Scranton Prep Cavaliers secured a commanding 76-45 victory over North Pocono in a Lackawanna Division I basketball matchup on Monday, January 6, 2025.

“Valley View Stays Unbeaten” Cora Castellani scored 17 points to lead Valley View to a 47-29 victory over North Pocono. The Cougars’ defense shined, holding North Pocono to single-digit scoring in three quarters. With a 10-0 record, Valley View remains the team to beat.

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.