Lottery Numbers for Friday, Jan. 15.

NANTICOKE — Nanticoke delved into its past Friday night, honoring the 1961 Nanticoke High boys basketball team that won the PIAA Class A state championship.

It gave a glimpse of its future by introducing youth players at halftime.

As for the present, well that appears to be in good hands after a 51-40 victory over GAR vaulted Nanticoke into sole possession of first place in Division 2 of the Wyoming Valley Conference.

“It was a great environment for Nanticoke basketball,” Nanticoke coach John Beggs said. “We had our youth basketball night, so that’s the future. We honored the past with the 1961 team. So our guys were really excited to play in this environment. We were looking forward to it all week.”

Nanticoke (4-0 Div. 2) also improved to 11-2 overall, the best mark in the WVC. GAR fell to 3-1 in the division and 5-7 overall.

The packed gymnasium didn’t faze the Trojans too much. But a delay in the start because of a long junior varsity game and the ceremonies for the 1961 team did.

“It definitely brought some nervousness when we came out after the jayvee game and saw everybody here packed in on every side,” Nanticoke guard Scott Stout said. “But we got a little edgy when we had to wait longer to play.”

The Trojans took a 15-13 lead at 5:26 of the second quarter on an inside basketball by Brent Piontkowski to take the lead for good. But it wasn’t until late in the third that Nanticoke began to ease away.

A 29-20 lead entering the fourth quarter came via consecutive 3-pointers by Piontkowski and Stout.

“When it was 26-20, Stout hit a huge one on the wing,” GAR senior Justin Crosby-Smith said. “That gave them momentum and riled them up. It was hard stopping them.”

Luke Butczynski started the fourth with another 3-pointer for Nanticoke, starting a 9-2 run to open the quarter. The Grenadiers didn’t get their first field goal until Marquan Kemp scored inside at 5:45. Kemp’s basket was GAR’s first since the 6:28 mark of the third quarter.

GAR made a mild run at the deficit, managing to get within 44-35 with about two minutes left. Nanticoke, though, shook off the threat with four consecutive points.

While the 3-pointers were the catalyst in the victory, defense also played a huge part. Nanticoke held GAR 3-point ace Tino Altavilla to one basket from behind the arc.

“And I was upset with that shot,” Beggs said. “I think he is the best shooter in our conference. I saw him make 23 straight threes once in warmups. So our goal was to give him no shots because we knew any shot he took was going in. Him making one was enough for us and we focused on not giving him any more shots.”

Altavilla injured a finger on his left hand midway through the third. He returned in the fourth, but by that time Nanticoke had the game going its way because of the five second-half 3-pointers.

“We got out of what we were trying to do there,” GAR coach Jerry Altavilla said. “We had to switch up the lineup and had to go defensively. We had to take out some of our offensive players off. I don’t think we did a good job with the tempo, either.”

Dajon Rush paced GAR with 12 points. Piontkowski had 23 and Stout added 17 for Nanticoke. The teams play again Feb. 2 at GAR.

Hazleton Area 75, Pittston Area 37

The Cougars took control early, jumping out to a 27-9 lead after one in a home win. Josh Samec scored a game-high 19 points for Hazleton Area, which also got 16 from Bobby Planutis.

Alex McAndrew finished with 11 point to top the Patriots.

Meyers 82, Hanover Area 40

Meyers had four players reach double digits as they more than doubled Hanover Area’s point total. Raheem Twyman (12), Matt Dessoye (11), Julien Maffei (11) and Levaugn Soules (10) were the offensive leaders for the Mohawks.

Brandon Chafin scored 15 points while Nick Minich had 10 for the Hawkeyes.

Dallas 54, Coughlin 48

Ben Donahue hit five three-pointers as he tallied a team-high 29 points to lead Dallas past Coughlin. Tanner Gattuso and Joey Parsons each added eight points for the Mountaineers.

Both Jose Rivera and Devin Rajza scored 20 points apiece for the Crusaders.

Wyoming Valley West 66, Tunkhannock 41

Tyler Yankosky had a team-leading 16 points while both Marquise Anderscavage and Sean Judge scored 11 each as Wyoming Valley West beat Tunkhannock.

Tyler Faux led the Tigers with 10 points.

Lake-Lehman 49, Wyoming Area 46

Ben Brooks had five three-pointers and was 5 for 6 from the foul line as he totaled 22 points to lead Lake-Lehman.

Sam Greenfield scored 10 points for the Black Knights.

Holy Redeemer 44, MMI Prep 35

John Carr and Jason Stachokus led Holy Redeemer with 19 and 14 points respectively as the team defeated MMI Prep.

Ed Herbener (18 points) and John Stish (12) were the leading point scorers for MMI Prep.

Crestwood 46, Berwick 42 OT

Despite trailing 22-17 at the half, Crestwood came back to defeat Berwick in overtime. Robbie Hopkins scored 12 points to lead the Comets while Lance Blass added 11 points of his own.

Tyler Evans was 7 for 12 from the free-throw line as he score 16 points for the Bulldogs.

Wyoming Seminary 53, Northwest 38

Nicholas Ganter was nearly perfect from the free-throw line, going 10 for 11, and scored a team-high 16 points as Wyoming Seminary pushed past Northwest.

Sam Saxe tallied 13 points to lead the way for Northwest.
Nanticoke 51, GAR 40
GAR (40) — Keyshawn Palmer 3 1-2 7, Dajon Rush 5 1-1 12, Antwone Easter 1 0-0 3, Garry Kroll 0 0-0 0, Tino Altavilla 1 0-0 3, Justin Crosby-Smith 3 3-3 9, Marquan Kemp 2 0-0 4, Will Johnson 1 0-0 2. Totals 16 5-6 40.

NANTICOKE (51) — Ed Lukowski 0 1-3 1, Brent Piontkowski 8 5-5 23, Luke Butczynski 2 0-0 5, Justin Casey 2 0-0 4, Scott Stout 6 3-4 17, Rich Waiterkowski 0 0-0 0, Cody Piestrak 0 0-0 0, Ben Sersen 0 1-2 1, Alec Norton 0 0-0 0. Totals 18 10-14 51.

GAR`8`7`5`20`—`40

Nanticoke`9`8`12`22`—`51

Three-point goals — GAR 3 (Rush, Altavilla, Easter). NAN 5 (Piontkowski 2, Butzcynski, Stout 2).
Hazleton Area 75, Pittston Area 37
PITTSTON AREA (37) — Jordan Black 3 2-2 8, Dylan Osticco 0 2-2 2, Alex McAndrew 4 2-3 11, Pat Mitchell 0 0-0 0, Colin Smith 1 0-0 2, Jimmy Pliska 0 0-0 0, Michael Mazurkivich 1 0-0 2, Chris Klein 0 0-0 0, Naseem Guillauame 1 2-2 5, Jalen Williams 0 1-2 1, Matt McGlynn 0 0-0 0, Keemar Woodruff 0 0-0 0, Matt Ambrose 0 0-0 0, Kolton Zaffuto 0 0-0 0, Trevor Tigue 0 3-4 3, Justin Coyne 1 0-0 3. Totals 11 12-15 37.

HAZLETON AREA (75) — Josh Samec 8 0-0 19, Michael Cusatis 1 0-0 2, Shane Planutis 1 0-0 2, Joey Grula 4 0-0 8, Dante Biasi 3 0-0 5, Nolan Genasevich 2 0-0 4, Bobby Planutis 5 6-8 16, Jeffrey Planutis 2 2-2 6, Da’Mir Faison 0 1-2 1, Jacob Diaz 1 0-0 2, Adrian Otero 2 0-0 4, Nathan Begg 0 0-0 0, Frank Mussoline 0 0-0 0, Davion Reeves 0 1-2 1, Isaiah Santiago 2 0-0 5. Totals 30 10-14 75.

Pittston Area`9`8`11`9`—`37

Hazleton Area`27`9`22`17`—`75

3-point goals — PA 3 (McAndrew, Guillauame, Coyne); HAZ 5 (Samec 3, Biasi, Santiago).
Meyers 82, Hanover Area 40
Meyers (82) — Omar Kelly 4 0-2 8, Simran Mengat 1 0-0 2, Matt Dessoye 4 3-4 11, Juwane Buckner 2 2-3 6, J.J. Davidson 1 0-0 2, Raheem Twyman 6 0-0 12, Ryan Gilgallon 3 0-0 7, Mark Robinson 1 0-0 2, Khalil Saunders 3 0-2 6, Julien Maffei 4 0-0 11, Levaugn Soules 5 0-0 10, Austin Bynon 2 0-0 5. Totals 36 5-11 82.

Hanover Area (40) — Brandon Chafin 4 7-10 15, Nick Minich 4 0-0 10, John Morgan 0 0-2 0, Mike Piscotty 1 0-0 2, Luis Rivera 1 0-2 2, Tyler Diggs 1 1-4 4, Devin Senk 0 0-0 0, Danny Marcincavage 0 0-0 0, Raymond Salowski 0 0-0 0, Connor Bowers 0 0-0 0, Justin Kopko 2 2-2 6, Andrew Vallaro 0 1-2 1. Totals 13 11-22 40.

Meyers`16`16`27`23`—`82

Hanover Area`6`10`15`9`—`40

Three-point goals — MEY 5 (Gilgallon 1, Maffei 3, Bynon 1); HAN 3 (Minich 2, Diggs 1).
Dallas 54, Coughlin 48
Coughlin (48) — Jose Rivera 7 3-4 20, Eli McAllister 0 1-4 1, Jeremiah Christian 0 0-0 0, Devin Rajza 7 0-0 20, Melvin Robinson 0 0-0 0, Nick Cerep 0 0-0 0, Charles Cobbs 3 0-2 7, Auhmeer Mims 0 0-0 0, Manny Adams 0 0-0 0. Totals 17 4-10 48.

Dallas (54) — Collin Pertl 0 0-0 0, Nick Kocher 0 0-1 0, Dalton Gattuso 0 0-0 0, Tanner Gattuso 3 1-2 8, Spencer Bowanko 0 2-2 2, Ben Donahue 10 4-4 29, Jay Bittner 1 0-1 2, Joey Parsons 2 4-5 8, Ethan Szczencinski 2 1-2 5. Totals 18 12-17 54.

Coughlin`8`20`10`10`—`48

Dallas`20`7`15`12`—`54

Three-point goals — CGH 10 (Rivera 3, Rajza 6, Cobbs 1); DAL 6 (T. Gattuso 1, Donahue 5).
Wyoming Valley West 66, Tunkhannock 41
Tunkhannock (41) — Avery Newhart 0 1-2 1, Sean Harder 3 3-6 9, Ethan Hoefert 2 1-2 6, Tony Maloney 1 1-2 4, Evan Turner 0 2-2 4, Tyler Faux 4 1-3 10, Avery Billings 2 0-0 4, Matt Goodwin 0 2-3 2, Jack Fenwick 0 0-0 0, Paul Demarco 1 0-0 2, DJ Brennan 0 1-2 1. Totals 1 12-22 41.

Wyoming Valley West (66) — Sean Judge 3 4-5 11, Noah Frace 1 0-0 3, Savion Saunder 2 0-2 4, Aaron Austin 0 0-0 0, Draig Ruff 4 0-0 8, Tyler Yankosky 5 6-10 16, Matt Bobkowski 0 0-0 0, Amistad Hackett 3 0-0 8, Marquise Anderscavage 5 1-3 11, Ray Richard 0 0-0 0, Davis Weaver 1 0-0 2, Tayshon Moore 1 1-2 0. Totals 25 12-22 66.

Tunkhannock`9`13`10`9`—`41

Wyoming Valley West`15`20`19`12`—`66

Three-point goals — TUNK 3 (Hoefert 1, Maloney 1, Faux 1, ); WVW 4 (Judge 1, Frace 1, Hackett 2).
Lake-Lehman 49, Wyoming Area 46
Lake-Lehman (49) — Walkker Shaw 0 2-3 2, Garrett Weston 0 0-0 0, John Pelton 2 0-0 4, CJ Cercone 1 1-2 4, Joey Vigil 1 0-0 2, Jake Corey 2 1-2 5, Mahmoud Dabsheh 0 0-0 0, Adam Motovidlak 1 3-4 5, Cole Spencer 2 0-4 5, Ben Brooks 6 5-6 22. Totals 15 12-21 49.

Wyoming Area (46) — Anthony Nardell 1 7-8 9, Kyre Zielinski 2 0-2 4, Tony Saitta 1 4-4 7, Matt Wright 4 1-2 9, Sam Greenfield 4 2-3 10, Anthony Shaver 1 0-0 2, Kyle Musto 0 0-0 0, Mike Bonita 0 0-0 0, PJ Angeli 1 3-4 5. Totals 14 17-23 46.

Lake-Lehman`4`20`11`14`—`49

Wyoming Area`11`16`11`8`—`46

Three-point goals — LL 7 (Cercone 1, Cole 1, Brooks 5); WA 1 (Saitta 1).
Holy Redeemer 44, MMI Prep 35
Holy Redeemer (44) — Jason Stachokus 4 6-8 14, Joey Judge 1 0-2 2, Joe Layou 0 0-0 0, Zach Brennan 1 0-0 2, James Kosik 1 0-0 3, Sal Aiello 1 0-0 2, Luke Nealon 1 0-0 2, John Carr 9 1-2 19, Drew Casper 0 0-0 0. Totals 18 7-12 44.

MMI Prep (35) — Ed Herbener 5 7-9 18, Jay Solgama 0 0-0 0, John Stish 3 6-8 12, Kyle Williams 0 0-2 0, Andrew Alday 1 0-0 3, Nick Young 0 0-0 0, Brendan Drusda 0 0-0 0, Kisan Patel 1 0-2 2. Totals 10 13-21 35.

Holy Redeemer`12`12`8`12`—`44

MMI Prep`3`16`4`12`—`35

Three-point goals — HR 1 (Kosik 1); MMI 2 (Herbener 1, Alday 1).
Crestwood 46, Berwick 42 OT
Crestwood (46) — Robbie Hopkins 4 3-5 12, Kyle Gegaris 0 2-3 2, Lance Blass 4 2-4 11, Jason Klusewitz 1 1-2 3, Kyle Richards 0 2-4 2, Tim McCue 0 0-0 0, Mendell Foreman 2 1-2 5, Josh Malkemes 4 1-2 9, Noah Jackson 1 0-1 2. Totals 16 12-23 46.

Berwick (42) — Max Melito 2 3-6 7, Kenneth Marshman 0 0-0 0, Matt Champ 0 0-0 0, Justin Groshek 0 0-0 0, Damon Beckham 2 0-0 4, Tyler Evans 4 7-12 16, Jude Goodard 4 0-2 9, Kyle McMillian 3 0-0 6, Joe Norce 0 0-0 0. Totals 15 10-20 42.

Crestwood`9`8`8`11`10`—`46

Berwick`7`15`7`7`6`—`42

Three-point goals — CRES 2 (Hopkins 1, Blass 1); BER 2 (Evans 1, Goodard 1).
Wyoming Seminary 53, Northwest 38
Northwest (38) — Tyler Stevens 2 0-0 6, Neno Agnello 0 0-0 0, Sam Saxe 4 2-2 13, Caleb Diltz 0 0-0 0, Jaxson Yaple 1 1-2 4, Nick Levandowski 1 2-2 4, Jesse Tarnowski 1 0-0 3, Mitchell Mazonkey 2 3-3 8. Totals 11 8-9 38.

Wyoming Seminary (53) — Tyler Maddock 1 2-3 4, Noah Munley 2 2-2 7, Marshall Bursis 3 2-4 8, Stefan Olsen 0 0-0 0, Jake Ridilla 1 0-0 2, Johnny Kehl 3 1-2 7, Nicholas Ganter 3 10-11 16, Jeff Bevacqua 3 3-8 9. Totals 16 20-29 53.

Northwest`4`5`13`16`—`38

Wyoming Seminary`16`9`10`18`—`53

Three-point goals — NW 8 (Stevens 2, Saxe 3, Yaple 1, Tarnowski 1, Mazonkey 1); WS 1 (Munley 1).
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<img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web1_TTL011616GarNanticoke6.jpg" alt="" />
<div class="neCaption">Nanticoke’s Ed Lukowski (left) drives it to the hoop before GAR’s Keyshawn Palmer can get to him during Friday night’s game.</div>
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<div class="metaInfo">https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web1_TTL011616GarNanticoke6.jpgNanticoke’s Ed Lukowski (left) drives it to the hoop before GAR’s Keyshawn Palmer can get to him during Friday night’s game.</div>
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<img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web1_TTL011616GarNanticoke7.jpg" alt="" />
<div class="neCaption">GA.R’s Dajon Rush (left) and Justin Crosby-Smith (right) double team Nanticoke’s Scott Stout during Friday’s game.</div>
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<div class="metaInfo">https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web1_TTL011616GarNanticoke7.jpgGA.R’s Dajon Rush (left) and Justin Crosby-Smith (right) double team Nanticoke’s Scott Stout during Friday’s game.</div>
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<img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web1_TTL011616GarNanticoke8.jpg" alt="" />
<div class="neCaption">GAR’s Marquan Kemp (right) goes to the basket while being guarded by Nanticoke’s Justin Casey during Friday’s game.</div>
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<div class="metaInfo">https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web1_TTL011616GarNanticoke8.jpgGAR’s Marquan Kemp (right) goes to the basket while being guarded by Nanticoke’s Justin Casey during Friday’s game.</div>
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<img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web1_TTL011616GarNanticoke10.jpg" alt="" />
<div class="neCaption">Billy James (left), co-captain of the 1961 Nanticoke Rams basketball team, and Keith Legins, the son of co-captain the late Kenny Legins, unveil a new banner that honors the team’s state championship.</div>
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<div class="metaInfo">https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web1_TTL011616GarNanticoke10.jpgBilly James (left), co-captain of the 1961 Nanticoke Rams basketball team, and Keith Legins, the son of co-captain the late Kenny Legins, unveil a new banner that honors the team’s state championship.</div>
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<div class="metaInfo">Nanticoke downs GAR on night 1961 state champs honored</div>
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By John Erzar

jerzar@www.timesleader.com

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Reach John Erzar at 570-991-6394 or on Twitter @TLJohnErzar

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Just like old times