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Wyoming Area senior Jeremy Zezza was aware of the Warriors’ boys basketball single game scoring record held by Joe Vullo, who had 40 points during a game in the mid 1970s.
In 2002, Nikki Conway scored 42 points in a girls’ game for Wyoming Area.
Zezza failed to reach the 1,000-point milestone this season; however, he did get his name etched in Wyoming Area history for a performance in mid-February.
The four-year starter broke the school’s single-game scoring record with a 43-point outburst in a 68-65 overtime loss to Lake-Lehman on Feb. 12. His biggest fan was there to see it.
Zezza’s grandfather, Jerry Zezza, is no stranger to the Wyoming Area scoring record. In fact, he coached Vullo and Conway during stints as head coach of the Warriors’ boys and girls teams.
Jerry’s boys basketball coaching career at Wyoming Area began in 1975 and ran through 1980. He returned to coach the girls team from 1992-2002.
Throughout Jeremy’s career, Jerry was there to see his grandson develop a game he tried to instill in his players 30 years ago.
Jeremy admitted he spoke with his grandfather after almost every game, looking for tips and pointers.
“I think I have the best grandfather in the world,” Jeremy said. “He’s always been my No. 1 coach. He would call me all the time and tell me what I could work on. Every single time he called me they were different tips.”
Jeremy’s performance against the Black Knights was certainly one for the ages. He finished with 12 field goals and made an impressive 17-for-24 shots from the charity stripe. The game signified the senior’s final home game at Wyoming Area.
“I was able to beat my man off the dribble and get to the hoop,” Jeremy said. “We were in the bonus so they were playing really soft defense, which was my advantage.”
During the season, Jeremy led the entire Wyoming Valley Conference in scoring at 20.7 points per contest. He was named to the Wyoming Valley Conference Coaches First Team All-Star for Division 2. The Warriors finished the season 5-17 and fell to GAR in the first round of the PIAA District 2 Class AAA tournament.
Jerry didn’t miss a game.
“My involvement was to support him and be there as much as I could,” Jerry said. “I gave him a lot of advice and told him some things as far as being an unselfish player and hitting the open man. I think Jeremy is really a team player; the players look to him.”
Last season, the Warriors struggled through a winless campaign but when the program was taken over by Pete Moses this season, Wyoming Area improved.
“The last three years were pretty tough,” Jeremy said. “Our whole team bought into the system this year.”
The grandfather of basketball
Jerry Zezza graduated from West Pittston High School. While there, he played basketball for the well-known coach Jimmy Atherton. Atherton was one of the reasons Jerry got into the coaching ranks.
“He’s helped so many coaches through here,” Jerry said. “We had a great team my senior year. He was very instrumental in my future. He was really a big support for me.”
Coaching both Conway and Vullo, Jerry has seen the scoring record broken three times now.
Conway remembers the bickering she and Coach Zezza did at practices.
“I was very stubborn,” Conway said. “At the end of the day, he knew what was right. He was a rock for me.”
For Jeremy, his grandfather has been there for him from the start and said his grandfather’s tips were positive. However, there was one thing that got on the elder Zezza’s nerves.
“I would get fired up on the court and he didn’t like that,” Jeremy said. “He always told me to keep it under control. You can’t change that call.”
Vullo hits 40-point mark
During a game in 1977 when Wyoming Area was playing its cross-river rivals Pittston Area, Vullo had a game for the ages. The Warrior poured in 40 points but how he did it was the highlight.
With Wyoming Area down by a single point with just seconds remaining, Vullo stole an inbound pass and laid it in to beat Pittston Area. The shot gave Vullo the coveted 40 points.
“Joe was a very tough player and very coachable,” Jerry said. “He was a great player but a better kid.”
Conway breaks Vullo’s record
Two days after her birthday, Conway and the Wyoming Area girls basketball team were dealing with the injury of starter Jen Skursky. Conway knew she had to step up.
Against Lake-Lehman in January 2002, Conway, then a senior, led the Warriors to a thrilling three-overtime win. She poured in the record 42 points.
“It was a good night,” Conway remembers. “But that wasn’t what it was about for me. It was a fantastic win for us. It was a nail-biter. We needed it.”
As a freshman, three years earlier, Conway scored 34 points in a game against Pittston Area. She said she thought she would never be able to do that again.
“Nikki was a very good ballplayer,” Jerry said. “She was very coachable. She worked hard and had a lot of ability.”
Jeremy is currently getting ready for the spring sports season. He plays on the Warriors’ baseball team.
He plans to attend college and hopes to continue his athletic career. He’s hoping to play Division 3 basketball or Division 2 baseball.
He is the son of Doreen and Jerry Zezza, of West Pittston.