Pittston Area Patriots

Pittston Area improved to 4-0 with a dominant 11-3 win over Old Forge, fueled by timely hitting and strong pitching. Richard Tonte and Jake Aftewicz led the offense, while TJ Johnson struck out six in four innings to earn the win. The Patriots continue to emerge as a serious contender in District 2 boys baseball.

The 2024-2025 Wyoming Valley Conference (WVC) Division 1 basketball season has concluded, and the coaches have made their selections for the All-Star teams, recognizing the most outstanding players in the league. This year's honors feature impressive performances, with standout players from Hazleton, Pittston, Crestwood, Dallas, Wyoming Valley West, Berwick, and Wilkes-Barre Area making their mark.

Abington Heights trailed for most of the game. When it mattered the most, the Comets came up big. Billy Johnson got a basket to give them the lead and Jordan Shaffer had a big three point play with 2:21 left to make it a four point game as Abington Height won it’s third straight District 2 5A Title 53-48 over Pittston Area. It was the first District title for Head Coach JC Show, who replaced Ken Bianchi. “I said to the team before the game, we’ve endured some storms on the basketball court and we’ve gone underwater but we got here and we’re competing for a Championship.”

Down eight in the fourth quarter, the Patriots have done what they have done all season, kept on fighting back. Silvio Giardina hit a big three pointer and Aidan Lynn hit key free throws during the fourth quarter to get to Pittston Area to the Mohegan Arena for the first time since 2022 with a 37-33 victory over Wallenpaupack. “I sat them down and I told them we got to keep fighting.” Said Patriots head coach Al Semenza.

YATESVILLE — For the third time this season, Dallas proved to be a difficult matchup for Pittston Area, and Saturday’s District 2 Class 5A girls basketball semifinal was no different. Behind a dominant performance from freshman center Odessa Kanton and a tenacious defensive effort from sophomore guard Caitlyn Mizzer, the third-seeded Mountaineers secured a 47-36 victory over second-seeded Pittston Area.

PITTSTON TWP. — A dominant second quarter propelled No. 2 seed Pittston Area past Berwick, 53-31, in the district quarterfinals on Wednesday night. The Patriots, who held just a one-point lead after the first quarter, erupted for 23 points in the second to create a comfortable cushion that Berwick never recovered from.

Dallas, PA – The Dallas Mountaineers secured a commanding 68-50 victory over the Pittston Area Patriots on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, showcasing a dominant performance from beyond the arc. Dallas connected on 15 three-pointers, overwhelming Pittston Area’s defense and solidifying their place as one of the region’s top teams.

PITTSTON, PA — In a closely contested high school basketball game, Pittston Area narrowly defeated Wilkes-Barre Area 67–65 on Tuesday night. The game, played at Pittston Area’s home court, showcased standout performances, thrilling momentum swings, and a dramatic fourth-quarter finish.

Crestwood edged Pittston Area 34-33 in a defensive thriller on January 17, 2025. Kendall Petrosky led Crestwood with 12 points, including three three-pointers, while Jackie Gallagher hit 4-of-4 free throws to seal the win. For Pittston Area, Daniella Ranieli shined with a game-high 20 points, but the Patriots’ struggles at the line (60%) proved costly. Crestwood’s defense held Pittston Area to just 6 points in the final quarter to secure the victory.

In a thrilling battle of two top Division 1 teams, the Dallas Mountaineers emerged victorious with a 49-44 win over Pittston Area on Tuesday night, remaining undefeated in conference play. The highly competitive matchup saw high-intensity moments before Dallas secured the win late in the fourth quarter.

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.

In a dramatic comeback, the Pittston Area Patriots overcame a halftime deficit with a dominant second half to secure a 65-58 victory over Wyoming Valley West in a Wyoming Valley Conference (WVC) Division 1 matchup at WVW on Tuesday night.

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.

Wallenpaupack Triumphs in Boys AAA Team Competition at PIAA District 2 XC Championships

Abington Heights Secures Girls AAA Title at PIAA District 2 XC Championships The 2024 PIAA District 2 Cross Country Championships in Meshoppen, PA, were an exciting showcase of talent on October 23, 2024, at the Wyoming County Fairgrounds. The Girls AAA race was dominated by Abington Heights, who clinched the team title with a score of 32, besting strong competition from Crestwood and Hazleton Area.