Click here to subscribe today or Login.
WILKES-BARRE TWP. — Abington Heights used two big second half runs to hold off Williamsport, 42-36, to win the District 2-4 Class 4A championship Saturday night at Mohegan Sun Arena. It’s the fifth straight district title for the Comets, including the last two in Class 4A.
Williamsport held the Comets to just four points in the first quarter and forced Abington Heights into seven turnovers.
The Comets opened the third quarter on an 8-0 run capped by a slam by Seth Maxwell with 4:04 left in the third to take a 23-22 lead. It was their first lead since 7:44 of the first quarter.
“We started scoring off the press,” Abington Heights head coach Ken Bianchi said. “Everyone contributed for us to get the win.”
Maxwell led the Comets with 19 points, nine rebounds and four blocks. Colin Klingman finished with three points, five assists and three steals for Abington Heights.
Abington Heights scored the first five points of the fourth quarter. Tim Toro scored five of his 10 points in the fourth for the Comets. Toro added seven rebounds and two steals in the game.
Williamsport’s defensive pressure forced Abington Heights into 20 turnovers, but just five in the fourth quarter. Treyson Potts had a steal and basket to cut the Comets’ lead to four points with 1:42 left in the game, but Abington Heights converted three free throws and freshman George Tinsley scored a basket down the stretch to clinch the win.
“We have confidence in George (Tinsley),” Bianchi said. “He doesn’t know he’s a freshman. He doesn’t get nervous, he’s going to be a good player.”
Nyric Gosley led Williamsport with 16 points and five steals.
Abington Heights (23-2) will play Lancaster McCaskey at 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 5 at Marywood University in the first round of the PIAA Class 4A playoffs.
Abington Heights 42 , Williamsport 36
ABINGTON HEIGHTS (42) — Tim Toro 4 2-6 10, Seth Maxwell 7 4-6 19, Jackson Danzig 0 2-3 2, Colin Klingman 1 1-1 3, Jordan Hollander 0 4-7 4, George Tinsley 2 0-1 4, Tom Rothenberger 0 0-0 0. Totals 14 13-25 42.
WILLIAMSPORT (36) — Stanley Scott 1 4-6, Nyric Gosley 5 4-7 16, Jerah Reeves 1 0-0 2, Khalik Harmon 0 0-0 0, Isaiah Hankins 2 0-5 5, Rondell Carson 0 0-1 0, Qayyim Ali 0 0-0 0, Frank Rose 0 0-0 0, Treyson Potts 2 0-0 4, Kalob Thomas 0 0-0 0. Totals 11 9-21 36.
Abington Heights`4`11`11`16`—`42
Williamsport`9`13`6`8`—`36
Three-point goals — AH 1 (Maxwell), WILL 1 (Hankins).