Perta's second half surge propels Holy Redeemer to Division Crown

Trailing by five going into halftime, Zach Perta's teammates got him pumped up. "My teammates told me to play my game, turn it up and let's get the win, it's our rival and it definitely pumped me up alot. Once I made that first shot, I was feeling it." said Perta. Perta scored all of his game high 24 points in the seond half, 19 of which were scored in the third quarter en route to 48-33 Holy Redeemer victory at Nanticoke to clinch the WVC Boys Division 2 crown. Jacob Hunter and Jeff Kozerski each added seven points for Holy Redeemer.

The Royals led 7-4 midway through the first quarter but the Trojans went on a 7-0 run to end the first quarter with a free throw by Ibn Jordan-Thomas, a pair of free throws by Jaylin Collins then Jaidyn Johnson scored four straight points to end the scoring in the firt quarter.

A pair of quick baskets by Jeff Kozerski tied the game up at 11 then Jordan-Thomas scored a basket and Collins hit a three pointer to make it 16-11. Liam Mullery gave Nanticoke their biggest lead of the game with a three pointer to make it an eight lead. A three pointer by Darryl Wright cut the Redeemer lead to five as we hit halftime.

A quick steal by Jordan-Thomas made it a seven point lead but Perta who was held scoreless during the first half, scored nine straight points to make it a 26-24 Royal lead. In all, Holy Redeemer went on a 19-0 run that spanned almost all of the third quarter and led 36-24. The Nanticoke scoring drought ended with a steal and basket by Collins to cut the lead to ten to end the third quarter. The Trojans were unable to mount a comeback as the Royals defeated Nanticoke 48-33 to win the Division 2 title. Ibn Jordan-Thomas and Jaidyn Johnson each added a team-high 11 points and Jaylin Collins added six points.

Holy Redeemer and Nanticoke will participate in the Wyoming Valley Conference Playoffs that are set to be played on Thurday at Wilkes-Barre Area. Ibn Jordan-Thomas left the game in the fourth quarter with an injury that required him to be put into an ambulance.