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THROOP – One goal got away from the Scranton Prep girls basketball.
The Classics quickly turned their attention to the next one.
Top-seeded Scranton Prep recovered from having its District 2 Class AAA title hopes eliminated in a semifinal loss when it came back three days later to defeat Nanticoke, 64-36, Saturday afternoon at Mid Valley in a game to determine the district’s third berth in the state tournament.
Jess Genco hit three of her four 3-pointers and scored 11 of her game-high 18 points in the first half when Scranton Prep opened a 20-point lead.
The Classics scored 37 points in the half, more than the entire game in the Feb. 25 loss to Honesdale, 41-34.
“Our ball movement was definitely better,” said Genco, who attended Our Lady of Peace in Clarks Green before enrolling at Scranton Prep. “We were creating better looks for each other, higher percentage shots.
“That was very influential in the outcome.”
Genco, a senior point guard who committed early in the school year to play Division I basketball at Northeastern University, and Madison Ashby had five points each in the first quarter on the way to an 18-9 lead.
Ashby’s steal and three-point play late in the quarter made it 16-7 and put the Classics in command.
Genco hit two 3-pointers in the second quarter and Julia Sirotnak added four points to finish the half with eight of her 10 points.
Scranton Prep looked inside to build the lead to 57-27 in the third quarter, getting eight points from center Bridget Walsh, who finished with 14. Ashby, who had 10 points in the game, added five more.
Classics coach Ross Macciocco emptied the bench early in the fourth quarter with the state playoff berth secured.
“We weren’t ready to let our season be done,” said Genco, who did half of Scranton Prep’s semifinal scoring with 17 points against Honesdale.
The opportunity that was placed in jeopardy when the Lady Hornets closed the game with a 10-2 run was saved in a meeting of division champions.
Lackawanna League Division 1 champion Scranton Prep recovered from having its 18-game winning streak ended following an unbeaten league season. Nanticoke, which had a 14-game winning streak halted in the semifinals, was no match for the Classics.
“We didn’t get our goal in the district, but we have other goals to make our run at states,” Genco said. “It’s a great opportunity. We’re lucky to get the opportunity to go to states.
“We’re just thankful.”
The Classics have been to the state Class AAA quarterfinals each of the past two seasons. They open state play Saturday at 3:30 at Williamsport High School against District 4 champion Lewisburg (15-10).