Northwest Area Rangers

Northwest got the offense going early, plating two runs in the second inning and another two in the third to take a 4-0 lead. The Rangers collected eight hits on the day, spreading production across the lineup.

The tone was set in the first inning when Ava Ruckle launched a solo home run to give Northwest an early 1-0 lead. The momentum carried into the third inning, where Ruckle and Addisyn Diltz both crossed the plate on a two-RBI double from Jenna Robaczewski, widening the lead to 3-0.

On a stage fit for the pros, the MMI and Northwest high school baseball teams faced off in a tightly contested matchup Sunday at PNC Field, home of the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. In a game dominated by strong pitching and stellar defense, MMI emerged victorious with a 3–0 win, scoring all three of their runs in a decisive sixth inning.

Lake-Lehman’s consistency proved to be the difference, as the Black Knights racked up points in nearly every event, including key sweeps in the 800m, high jump, and triple jump.

In a competitive dual meet on the track and in the field, the Northwest Area girls track and field team came up short against a strong Lake-Lehman squad. Despite several standout individual performances, the Lady Rangers were defeated with a final score of 88-62.

Avery Taddeo led the charge at the plate, going 2-for-3 with 4 RBIs and 2 runs scored. Nolan Fagnano and Andrew Walter each delivered timely hits, driving in three runs apiece and crossing the plate twice themselves. Gino Birch was a sparkplug on the base paths, scoring four runs to keep the offense rolling.

The vision for MECCA Sports Inc. is deeply rooted in the Retherford family's own experience in the world of athletics. Al and Sarah, proud parents of three children who each competed or will complete, at the Division I level in various sports, understand the challenges that families face when guiding their kids toward success. As Sarah shared, “Our mission is for each athlete to achieve their greatest potential—not just as an athlete, but as a person.” Al added, “We’ve been through the journey ourselves, and we know the path. Our goal is to help other parents and athletes find their way through it, at the right time.”

Ava Ruckle, Addisyn Diltz, and Jenna Robaczewski all had impressive performances at the plate, driving in crucial RBIs to contribute to the team's offensive surge. Ruckle and Robaczewski each recorded 2 RBIs, while Diltz drove in 3. The balanced attack from these key players, along with contributions from the rest of the lineup, made it clear that the Rangers were firing on all cylinders.

The 2024–2025 campaign cemented Miller’s legacy. Northwest posted a dominant 25-3 record, swept through the Mid-Penn Conference with a perfect 14-0 mark, and captured both the division and conference titles. The Rangers went on to win the District IV Championship and reached the PIAA Class 2A state semifinals—marking the program’s deepest playoff run in over 30 years.

Northwest Area’s boys’ basketball team saw its season come to an end in the PIAA Class 2A semifinals with a tough 68-43 loss to Linville Hill Christian, despite double-digit performances from Tucker Crawford, Ryan Miner, and Joszhua Miner.

However, it was in the postseason that Jozshua Miner truly elevated his game to All-State levels. In each playoff game, he showed up in big moments, putting the team on his back when the stakes were highest. His performances in the playoffs have been nothing short of legendary. But that wasn’t an isolated incident. In their previous playoff win over York Catholic, Jozshua put up 34 points, showcasing his ability to carry the team through tough situations and keep the momentum going for the Rangers. His back-to-back performances of 41 points and 34 points in critical playoff games demonstrate why he is an All-State caliber player.

The game was also notable for two special milestones. Ryan Miner of Northwest and Jake Antolick of Lackawanna Trail both reached their 1,000th career points during the game, a testament to their hard work and dedication over their high school careers. Miner hit his milestone first, followed by Antolick a few plays later. Both players were honored with a brief stop in play, allowing their teammates, families, and friends to recognize the incredible achievement.

In the land of five mountains, nestled in the heart of Shickshinny, a small town with a big heart, the Northwest Rangers etched their names in history by capturing the District 4 2A Boys Basketball Championship, a title they hadn’t won since 1992. The road to the championship was not an easy one, but the Rangers overcame every challenge in their path, culminating in a 58-34 victory over the Muncy Indians in the District final.

This win is significant for Muncy, as it serves as a form of revenge after their recent Conference Championship defeat. Muncy’s victory in this semi-final has sent them to the District Championship game, where they will look to capture the title next week. For Northwest, it’s a tough loss, but the Lady Rangers will undoubtedly look to build on the experience and improve for next year. The Lady Rangers will play Canton for 3rd place in the District and a chance to advance to State playoffs.

With the victory, Northwest moves on to the District 4 2A Championship, where they will face Muncy, who defeated North East Bradford later in the evening. The championship game promises to be a thrilling matchup as Northwest looks to build on their semi-final win and secure the district title. Northwest beat Muncy twice during the regular season and will look for a third while also bringing home the District championship.