Scranton Knights

Parkland survives and advances in thrilling fashion, thanks to Blake Nassrys last-second heroics. The Trojans now set their sights on Imhotep Charter in the PIAA 6A State Quarterfinals, looking to keep their championship hopes alive.

SCRANTON, PA – In a dramatic comeback, Scranton overcame a sluggish start to defeat Cheltenham 50-45 in the opening round of the PIAA 6A State Playoffs on Saturday night. The Knights, who were held scoreless in the first quarter, stormed back with a dominant second-half performance to punch their ticket to the second round.

With the game tied just before halftime. Tony Battaglia found Jayden Burrell in the corner and Burrell hit the three at the buzzer. “It was momentum building going into half.” Said Scranton head coach Tony Battaglia. The Knights used that momentum to propel them to their fifth straight District 2 6A Championship 44-35 over Hazleton Area. Tony Battaglia had a game high 15 points and Jayden Burrell added nine.

Late in the fourth quarter, Scranton pushed Hazleton Area’s lead down to six. The Lady Cougars ended up pulling away to win the District 2 6A Girls Basketball Championship 62-47 over Scranton. Kaitlyn Bindas had a team high 18 points and Sophia Benyo added 14. “We took the press off with 5 minutes to go and we did very good.” Said Hazleton Area head coach Joe Gavio of the change he made on defense.

Scranton punched its ticket to the Class 6A subregional championship with a thrilling 44-43 overtime win over Williamsport. Johnathon Levine led the way with 13 points, while Jayden Burrell added a double-double. The Knights clutch three-point shooting proved decisive as they now await their next challenge at the Mohegan Arena.

Scranton dominates the second half to defeat Wyoming Valley West 59-28 in the District 2 Class 6A semifinals. Chrissy Jacklinski led all scorers with 20 points, while Jaelyn Alers erupted for 17 second-half points, including three three-pointers. With the win, Scranton advances to the district final at Mohegan Arena on February 28 to face Hazleton.

Scranton’s Senior Night was a night to remember, as the Lady Knights finished their regular season with a 51-45 win over Valley View. Giada Costa reached 1,000 career points, a milestone that added even more emotion to an already special evening. Though Valley View’s second-half defense nearly sparked a comeback, Scranton’s second-quarter surge proved to be the difference.

The Scranton Lady Knights put on a clinic against Wallenpaupack, led by Chrissy Jacklinski’s 18-point outburst and Rhylee Bell’s dominant double-double. Their teamwork and relentless defense paved the way for a decisive 61-34 victory.

The Lady Knights delivered a dominant performance on the court, but the real victory was in the cause they played for. With a strong showing from the community and a powerful message of support, the Pink Out Game was about more than just basketball on Monday night.

In a commanding performance on Friday night, Abington Heights secured a decisive 58-27 victory over Scranton, showcasing their offensive firepower and defensive prowess in a Lackawanna League matchup. The Comets controlled the game from the opening tip, never allowing Scranton to find their rhythm.

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.

Big School Spotlight: Valley View holds strong at #1, while Scranton and Dallas keep the pressure on. Scranton Prep climbs to #4, proving their rising momentum! Small School Highlights: Holy Cross dominates at #1, with Riverside and Dunmore rounding out the top 3. The competition is fierce as teams fight for their place in the rankings!

Scranton Prep Eyes Another Statement Win in D2 Big School Rankings Scranton Prep remains firmly entrenched at the top of the NEPA Elite D2 Big School Girls Basketball Rankings after another dominant week, capped off by a 69-36 victory over Scranton. The undefeated Classics are gearing up for a high-profile showdown against No. 3 Valley View on January 10, a game that could shape the rest of the season. Will the Cougars defy expectations, or will Prep continue their march toward an undefeated season? All eyes are on this marquee matchup!

Valley View Dominates as D2 Big School Boys Basketball Race Tightens Valley View remains untouchable at the top of the NEPA Elite D2 Big School Boys Basketball Rankings after another dominant week, highlighted by a 56-28 win over North Pocono. Scranton holds steady at No. 2, solidifying their spot with a narrow 57-54 victory over Scranton Prep. Meanwhile, Dallas and Crestwood are on the rise, and Wilkes-Barre Area cracks the top 10 after an impressive 72-70 win over Hazleton. With a tight race behind Valley View, the second half of the season is shaping up to be a thrilling battle for District 2 supremacy.

The Holy Cross Crusaders won the 73 annual Lynett Memorial Tournament on December 29 with the help of two very familiar names, Matt Lyons and Adam Badyrka. The Crusaders pulled out the victory 51-35 over the reigning champs in the Scranton Knights, who beat Holy Cross in last year’s final 48-46. Lyons and Badyrka led the crusade this time around, scoring 37 of the team’s 51 points. Lyons also acted as a force on the glass, snagging nine rebounds. Badyrka played his part by knocking down four threes.