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.

When JD first stepped onto the court at PSWB, he was eager to develop both as a player and as a person. Looking back, he describes his time at the university as a \"cool experience.\" \"I’ve grown and learned a lot about myself as a player and as a man that’ll take with me after I’m done playing here,\" he says. \"I’m appreciative of the opportunities that Coach Hammett bestowed upon me.\" His development has been shaped not only by the challenges and opportunities of college basketball but also by the mentorship and guidance he\'s received from his coaches and teammates.

In a matchup where every possession mattered, Devon Prep’s duo of Zane Conlon and Reece Craft were simply unstoppable, combining for 51 points as the Tide rolled past Valley View 64-44 to punch their ticket to the state championship.

Excerpt: A buzzer-beating three-pointer brought heartbreak to Holy Cross in their 58-57 playoff loss to West Catholic. The Crusaders led most of the way but saw their season end on a last-second shot. Despite the crushing defeat, Holy Cross put on a remarkable display of effort and teamwork that made their school proud.

March 15, 2025 – Riverside’s impressive season came to an end in the Elite 8 as they fell to West Catholic, 55-41. Despite a hard-fought effort, Riverside couldn’t overcome West Catholic’s balanced scoring and strong defensive play.

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.

Valley View is moving on to the PIAA 4A boys’ basketball semifinals after a hard-fought 53-46 victory over Shamokin on Friday night. With the win, the Cougars (23-5) advance to the Final Four, where they will face the winner of the Bishop Shanahan vs. Devon Prep quarterfinal matchup.

Upon arriving at the collegiate level, Merrifield wasted no time establishing himself as a versatile and reliable guard. Over the years, he has been a consistent force on both ends of the floor, earning recognition for his scoring ability, passing, and leadership.

Valley View’s lockdown defense paved the way for a dominant 42-25 victory over Saucon Valley in the PIAA Class 4A second-round playoffs. Beyon McLean led the Cougars with 15 points, while Jack Robertson’s 12 points were not enough for the Panthers. With the win, Valley View advances to the quarterfinals, continuing their push for a state championship.

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.

Shamokin wasted no time asserting their dominance in the 4A Boys First Round, overwhelming Wyoming Area 90-60 with a high-powered offensive display and stifling defense. Led by Joe Hile’s 19 points and Rylan Price’s sharpshooting, the Indians move on with confidence, while Wyoming Area’s season ends despite strong efforts from Anthony DeLucca and Luke Kopetchny.

The Wyoming Valley Conference (WVC) Division 1 basketball regular season and district playoff has officially come to a close, and with it comes the announcement of the league’s top performers. Wilkes-Barre Area’s Dave Jannuzzi was named the Division 1 MVP, an honor that comes as no surprise given his dominant season.

The PIAA State Playoffs kick off this weekend, and several District 2 boys basketball teams are ready to battle in the first round. With games scheduled for Friday, March 7, and Saturday, March 8, teams across multiple classifications will look to advance. Notable matchups include Abington Heights hosting Upper Moreland, Scranton Prep traveling to Northwestern Lehigh, and Hazleton Area facing Northampton on the road. With high stakes and championship dreams on the line, District 2 teams are prepared to compete. Stay tuned for game results and updates as the playoffs unfold.

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.

Wyoming Area pulled off a stunning upset Tuesday night, defeating Dallas 69-61 on the road to claim the third seed from District 2 in the Pennsylvania 4A state playoffs. The victory avenged a 69-42 loss to the Mountaineers in the Wyoming Valley Conference playoffs earlier this season and marked a major milestone for the Warriors’ program.