Nanticoke escapes with big win over Pittston Area

Coming into the season, it looked like it was going to be a youth movement for Nanticoke after losing several starters last year. However, when it mattered the most tonight, the two seniors stepped up in a big way in the fourth quarter as Nanticoke pulled off the victory over Pittston Area 49-45 in front of an electric crowd at Nanticoke Area High School. Chris Johnson scored 8 of his 9 points in the fourth quarter and Owen Brown sank a pair of free throws to give Nanticoke the lead for good. "That's why they worked so hard in the off-season for moments like this. We always tell them they're going to lead us to water and we're gonna drink." Nanticoke Area Head Coach Zach Pientka said. "Everyone did their part tonight, from our seniors, juniors, sophomores, our bench, the crowd". Pientka added.

The first quarter ended up being a back and forth affair until Trojans sophomore Payton Kepp hit a pair of three pointers to make the Trojans lead 12-6. Pittston Area battled back to tie the game with a 6-0 run. Fueled by a free throw by Ethan Ghannam, a three by freshman Silvio Giardina and a buzzer beating jumper by Dominic Jannuzzi as the first quarter came to a close. Giardina hit another three pointer early in the second quarter to give Pittston Area a 15-12 lead. Biggest Patriot lead was four in the second and had a 21-18 lead to go into halftime. The Patriots' Anthony Cencetti helped build the lead up to 34-25 late in the third quarter, thanks to his 9 points in the quarter. However, Nanticoke cut into the deficit with Payton Kepp's five straight points as the third quarter came to an end. Four straight points by senior Chris Johnson and a basket by fellow senior Owen Brown gave the Trojans a 36-34 lead. The Patriots got the lead back and had the lead up to four. The Trojans battled back with a three by Kepp then Brown sank four free throws to give the Trojans the lead for good at 45-42. The Trojans looked to clinch the game on a pair of Jaidyn Johnson free throws to make it 47-42 and the final ended up being 49-45 in favor of Nanticoke. Kepp had a game-high 16 points, while Owen Brown added 11 points and Chris Johnson had nine. For the Patriots, they were without star sharp shooter JJ Walsh for the game. Anthony Cencetti added a team-high 14 points, Dominic Jannuzzi had 12 and Ethan Ghannam had eight. Pientka had nothing but praise for Pittston Area. "They're a great team, they were without their best guy, but they battled so hard. They're going to win alot of games this year."

 Nanticoke 49 Pittston Area 45 

 Pittston Area Dominic Jannuzzi 12 Jack Locker 2 Ethan Ghannam 8 Silvio Giardina 6 Anthony Cencetti 14 

 Nanticoke Owen Brown 11 Jaidyn Johnson 8 Payton Kepp 16 Gavin Turak 2 Caleb Butczynski 3 Chris Johnson 9