Pittston Area Patriots

Pittston Area opened the Class 5A district playoffs with a commanding 60 to 37 victory over Nanticoke Area, building a strong first half lead and riding a balanced scoring attack to advance to the semifinals.

She wasn’t chasing a record. She was chasing the next dive. When Kate O’Hearn stepped onto the board at Pittston Area, the record book wasn’t on her mind. Focus was. Rhythm was. The next step forward was. And yet by the end of the day, the board beneath her feet told a different story. Five varsity sports. Honor roll academics. Year-round competition. At Old Forge, O’Hearn isn’t just busy, she’s essential. In small-school athletics, multi-sport athletes don’t just thrive. They carry programs. So when she broke Pittston Area’s diving record, and then broke it again, it wasn’t coincidence. It was confidence meeting preparation. “It goes so much faster than you think,” she said. And somehow, in a career packed with seasons, teammates, and milestones, she made every moment count, one leap at a time.

PITTSTON — Crestwood erased an 11-point second-half deficit and forced overtime on a dramatic buzzer-beating three-pointer by Gio Barna, but Pittston Area responded in the extra period to secure a 43–39 Division 1 victory Saturday night.

Three quarters of noise, momentum swings, and nonstop energy set the stage. The student sections were rocking, the margin stayed razor-thin, and every possession mattered. Then the fourth quarter arrived and the Wolfpack took over.

PITTSTON — Hazleton Area earned a hard-fought conference road victory on Saturday night, pulling away late to defeat Pittston Area, 56–49, in a physical boys’ basketball matchup.

OLD FORGE — The Pittston Area girls basketball team surged past Wyoming Area, 52–28, on Saturday, December 27, at Old Forge to advance to the championship game of the Anthony D. Badger Marseco Memorial Tournament.

Pennsylvania high school football excellence has a long memory and once again, District 2 talent is etched into it. Six local standouts have earned Mini Maxwell recognition, placing them among the state’s elite and one step closer to football immortality.

District 2 was well represented on the 2025 Pennsylvania Football Writers’ Class 5A All-State Team, led by Pittston Area athlete Lucas LoPresto and Abington Heights wide receiver Gavin Anders, both earning statewide recognition among Pennsylvania’s top large-school performers. The Class 5A honors were headlined by Roman Catholic quarterback Semaj Beals, who was named Player of the Year, while Rick Prete earned Coach of the Year honors after guiding the Cahillites through another championship-caliber season. The All-State roster highlights elite talent from across the Commonwealth, spanning every phase of the game.

Valley View set the tone early and never looked back, building a first quarter lead and cruising to a 60 to 40 home victory over Pittston Area. Cash Roe led all scorers with 18 points, while Michael Muto and Jagger Roe added 14 apiece as the Cougars used balanced scoring and efficient shooting to control the game from start to finish.

The state’s biggest stage brought out the best in District 2’s top girls cross country teams and runners. Abington Heights senior Anna Pucilowski blazed her way to an 18th-place state medal, while Crestwood’s Katie Kozich and Delaware Valley’s Grace Holderith followed close behind with top-25 finishes. Elk Lake’s young core impressed in “Single A,” finishing just 41 points out of first with standout sophomore Kendyl Weisgold earning a 9th-place medal. Montrose, Wallenpaupack, and Valley View added strong team efforts in a day that showcased the depth, talent, and future promise of girls distance running across Northeast Pennsylvania.

Wyoming Area overcomes early 15-0 hole with dominant second-half performance to close regular season 9-1.

Delaware Valley took care of business to finish with a .500 record and secure the No. 3 seed in the District 2 5A playoffs. Devin Estevez and Mike Iuzzolino both ran for two touchdowns, and Warriors Quarterback Colin McGarvey had one passing and one rushing touchdown.

Quiet confidence meets Friday night dominance. Pittston Area’s Lucas LoPresto might speak softly, but his game talks loud. In one record-shattering night, the junior wideout etched his name into school history - three times over - cementing his place among the Patriots’ greats. Whether it’s football, basketball, or track and field, LoPresto’s drive for excellence never lets up. A 3.9 GPA student and community volunteer, he’s proof that true leaders shine just as bright off the field as they do under the lights.

On a night overflowing with pride and purpose, Pittston Area’s Lucas LoPresto made history, breaking records for career receptions, touchdowns, and receiving yards as the Patriots captured their first Division 1 title in over 20 years. The Senior Night celebration at Charley Trippi Stadium was a true return to glory for Pittston football.

DALLAS TWP. — Pittston Area defeated Dallas for the first time since 2013, earning a dramatic 36-35 overtime victory on Friday night in Wyoming Valley Conference Division 1 play.