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Three teens reported as runaways over the weekend in Wilkes-Barre

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<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; For a while there, Nanticoke got lost in a flood of spirit, strength and determination.</p><p>And it was all coming from the other team.</p><p>Then, slowly but surely, the Trojanettes found a way to swim out of it.</p><p>Lisa Radziak found her shooting touch, Kayla Aufiero found more game-changing points Saturday and Nanticoke found enough resolve to overcome a sensational scoring performance by Sam Rajza and hold off hard-charging Holy Redeemer, 49-47 in the Wyoming Valley Conference Division 2 girls basketball title game at Wilkes University&#8217;s Marts Center.</p><p>&#8220;Not a lot of kids get the opportunity to do this,&#8221; Nanticoke coach Alan Yendrzeiwski said. &#8220;First, you want to come out and win a championship. And hopefully, this will pay some dividends down the road.&#8221;</p><p>It was the third consecutive league title for Nanticoke and seniors Aufiero, Riley Klepadlo and Alexis Pyzia, who helped the Trojanettes run their overall record to 22-1 as the top seed in the District 2 Class 4A Playoffs, which open Tuesday.</p><p>&#8220;It&#8217;s just another thing checked off,&#8221; Aufiero said of a team list that includes much bigger goals.</p><p>It nearly became a black mark.</p><p>The 18-5 Royals, fueled by the memory a 15-point Feb. 10 home loss to Nanticoke that essentially forced Saturday&#8217;s playoff between two teams that finished 15-1 in league play, roared out on a mission.</p><p>After consecutive driving buckets by Alyssa Lewis gave Nanticoke an early 9-5 lead, Rajza and the Royals responded with 11 consecutive points.</p><p>&#8220;In the first half, I couldn&#8217;t wait for our girls to calm down,&#8221; Yendrzeiwski said. &#8220;I thought we were a little sloppy dribbling the ball.&#8221;</p><p>Even after Aufiero tried to clean things up, hitting a 3-point field goal and an 18-foot jumper to even the score at 18-18 late in the first half, Rajza responded by dashing along the baseline to give the Royals a 20-18 halftime lead.</p><p>&#8220;This wasn&#8217;t the way I anticipated it going,&#8221; Yendrzeiwski said.</p><p>Then Radziak got going.</p><p>The 5-foot-2 shooting guard drilled two straight 3-pointers midway through the period &#8212; including one from NBA 3-point range &#8212; then added another one near the ned of the period to lift Nanticoke back into a lead.</p><p>&#8220;I knew we were down and I knew we needed it,&#8221; said Radziak, who finished with a team-high 11 points. &#8220;I was just happy to help for the team.&#8221;</p><p>Aufiero helped a little more.</p><p>The stalwart scorer who developed a reputation for coming through in clutch moments &#8212; going back to the District 2 playoffs of her sophomore season &#8212; provided more punch during pivotal moments for the Trojanettes.</p><p>Her 3-pointer from the wing lifted Nanticoke into its largest lead, 38-30, with 6:49 to play. And her inside bucket with just under four minutes answered a Redeemer rally and restored a six-point lead to Nanticoke.</p><p><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vWfjZINwA6o" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p><p>&#8220;I feel just playing (helps),&#8221; said Aufiero, who finished with 11 points, &#8220;and not worrying about what the score is at that moment. Just keep playing. Things weren&#8217;t going our way. We didn&#8217;t let ourselves get down. We came back in the second half.&#8221;</p><p>Rajza wasn&#8217;t about to let the Royals roll over.</p><p>She converted an electric reverse layup while falling to her knees with 1:47 remaining, then 23 seconds later, buried a 3-pointer to finish with a game-high 22 points and even the score at 45-45.</p><p>&#8220;Sam Rajza played fantastic,&#8221; said Holy Redeemer coach John Jezorwski, whose Royals lost just twice &#8212; both times against Nanticoke &#8212; over its past 19 games and will enter the District 2 Class 3A playoffs as the second seed. &#8220;She put us on her back for awhile there.&#8221;</p><p>The performance couldn&#8217;t quite carry the Royals to a fifth straight league title between Division 2 and Division 3 play.</p><p>Radziak saw to it, by sinking three free throws in the final 1:15 to cement a third straight divisional crown, along with a sixth consecutive victory, for the Trojanettes.</p><p><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8MfEEbaZ_yE" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p><p>&#8220;It was very difficult,&#8221; Jendrzeiwsi said. &#8220;To not be at our best and and still grit it out and make enough plays to be up at the end of the game is a testament to our team.&#8221;</p><p>In the end, the Trojanettes barely escaped the wave of Holy Redeemer&#8217;s resolve, as the Royals missed a few shots to tie the game or go ahead in the final 30 seconds.</p><p>&#8220;We had three good, open shots at the end by three good players,&#8221; Jezorwski said. &#8220;Finish. That&#8217;s the word for the week. I&#8217;m proud of the girls, they really played with heart. I think they&#8217;re disappointed. That&#8217;s a feeling, going into districts, we&#8217;ve got to fix. Have to give it to Nanticoke, they&#8217;re a very, very good team. I thought we were playing really well defensively, containing shooters. They&#8217;re just a very good team, and it&#8217;s tough to do for a whole game.&#8221;</p><p><strong>Hazleton Area 61, Crestwood 59</strong></p><p>Kendra Pfeil popped the last two of her five 3-pointers in the fourth quarter and finished with 23 points as the Cougars held off Crestwood and tied the Comets for a second-place finish in the WVC Division 1 in a makeup game played Friday.</p><p>Pfeil popped four 3-pointers in the second half to help Hazleton Area thwart Crestwood&#8217;s rally from a 29-21 halftime deficit.</p><p>Maddie Mrochko added 12 points to the victory, while Marissa Trivelpiece and Megan Trivelpiece both scored 10 points to help the Cougars match the Comets with 10-6 records in Division 1 and identical 14-8 records overall.</p><p>Hazleton Area will advance to the District 2 Class 6A semifinals, which open this week, while Crestwood will compete in the District 2 Class 5A quarterfinals.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Nanticoke Area 49, Holy Redeemer 47</strong></p><p><strong>NANTICOKE AREA (49) &#8212;</strong> Riley Klepadlo 2 2-3 6, Kayla Aufiero 4 1-2 11, Alexis Pyzia 1 0-0 2, Lisa Radziak 4 3-4 14, Katie Butczynski 4 1-2 9, Alyssa Lewis 3 1-4 7, Maddy Grilz 0 0-0 0, Amiah Lukowski 0 0-0 0. <strong>Totals 18 8-15 49.</strong></p><p><strong>HOLY REDEEMER (47) &#8212;</strong> Maya Kornfeld 1 2-2 4, Irelyn Jannuzzi 2 0-0 4, Julia Andrejko 3 0-0 6, Talia Kosierowski 0 0-0 0, Sam Rajza 9 3-5 22, Sam Yencha 4 3-4 11, Cameron Marcinkowski 0 0-0 0. <strong>Totals 19 8-11 47.</strong></p><p><strong>Nanticoke Area`9`9`15`16`&#8212;`49</strong></p><p><strong>Holy Redeemer`13`7`8`19`&#8212;`47</strong></p><p><strong>Three-point goals</strong> &#8212; NAN 5 (Aufiero 3, Radziak 2); HR 1 (Rajza).</p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Hazleton Area 61, Crestwood 59</strong></p><p style="text-align: left;"><strong>HAZLETON AREA (61) &#8212;</strong> Kendra Pfeil 8 2-2 23, Marissa Trivelpiece 3 3-4 10, Maddie Mrochko 4 3-6 12, Alexis Sheeto 0 0-0 0, Erika Book 0 2-2 2, Katie Lipinski 1 0-0 2, Virginia Yurchak 1 0-0 2, Megan Trivelpiece 3 4-4 10, Mackenzie Jones 0 0-0 0. <strong>Totals 20 14-18 61.</strong></p><p><strong>CRESTWOOD (59) &#8212;</strong> Riley Magin 1 0-0 2, Andrea Shipton 4 0-0 8, Sarah Hopkins 4 3-4 12, Kate Snipas 1 0-0 3, Sarah Richards 4 4-11 13, Julia Makowski 6 6-8 21, Ally Muse 0 0-0 0. <strong>Totals 20 13-23 59.</strong></p><p><strong>Hazleton Area`14`15`14`18`&#8212;`61</strong></p><p><strong>Crestwood`9`12`20`18`&#8212;`59</strong></p><p><strong>Three-point goals</strong> &#8212; HAZ 7 (Pfeil 5, Mrochko, Mar. Trivelpiece); CRE 6 (Makowski 3, Snipas, Richards, Hopkins).</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Nanticoke&#8217;s Kayla Aufierio drives to the basket as Holy Redeemer&#8217;s Sam Rajza goes for the block. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_Nan-RedeemerGBB_2-2.jpg</photo0><caption0>Nanticoke&#8217;s Kayla Aufierio drives to the basket as Holy Redeemer&#8217;s Sam Rajza goes for the block. </caption0><photoCredit0>Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader </photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_Nan-RedeemerGBB_3-2.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Nanticoke&#8217;s Lisa Radziak tries to dribble past Holy Redeemer&#8217;s Maya Kornfeld. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_Nan-RedeemerGBB_3-2.jpg</photo1><caption1>Nanticoke&#8217;s Lisa Radziak tries to dribble past Holy Redeemer&#8217;s Maya Kornfeld. </caption1><photoCredit1>Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader </photoCredit1></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_Nan-RedeemerGBB_4-2.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Nanticoke&#8217;s Lisa Radziak sinks the second of two free throws to put the Trojanettes up by three points with 56 seconds. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo2>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_Nan-RedeemerGBB_4-2.jpg</photo2><caption2>Nanticoke&#8217;s Lisa Radziak sinks the second of two free throws to put the Trojanettes up by three points with 56 seconds. </caption2><photoCredit2>Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader </photoCredit2></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_Nan-RedeemerGBB_5-2.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Holy Redeemer&#8217;s Irelyn Jannuzzi looks to pass the ball as Nanticoke Area&#8217;s Riley Klepaldo defends. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo3>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_Nan-RedeemerGBB_5-2.jpg</photo3><caption3>Holy Redeemer&#8217;s Irelyn Jannuzzi looks to pass the ball as Nanticoke Area&#8217;s Riley Klepaldo defends. </caption3><photoCredit3>Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader </photoCredit3></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_Nan-RedeemerGBB_6-2.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Nanticoke&#8217;s Alexis Pyzia is double-teamed by Holy Redeemer&#8217;s Sam Yencha, left, and Cameron Marcinkowski. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo4>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_Nan-RedeemerGBB_6-2.jpg</photo4><caption4>Nanticoke&#8217;s Alexis Pyzia is double-teamed by Holy Redeemer&#8217;s Sam Yencha, left, and Cameron Marcinkowski. </caption4><photoCredit4>Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader </photoCredit4></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_Nan-RedeemerGBB_7-2.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Holy Redeemer&#8217;s Sam Rajza goes in for two of her game-high 22 points ahead of Nanticoke&#8217;s Katie Butczynski. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo5>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_Nan-RedeemerGBB_7-2.jpg</photo5><caption5>Holy Redeemer&#8217;s Sam Rajza goes in for two of her game-high 22 points ahead of Nanticoke&#8217;s Katie Butczynski. </caption5><photoCredit5>Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader </photoCredit5></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_Nan-RedeemerGBB_1-2.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Kayla Aufiero, center, and the Nanticoke Trojanettes celebrate their 49-47 victory over Holy Redeemer to win the WVC Division 2 girls basketball title at Wilkes University&#8217;s Marts Center on Saturday afternoon. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo6>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_Nan-RedeemerGBB_1-2.jpg</photo6><caption6>Kayla Aufiero, center, and the Nanticoke Trojanettes celebrate their 49-47 victory over Holy Redeemer to win the WVC Division 2 girls basketball title at Wilkes University&#8217;s Marts Center on Saturday afternoon. </caption6><photoCredit6>Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader </photoCredit6></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><subheadMeta>Radziak, Aufiero spark Nanticoke&#8217;s comeback</subheadMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Paul Sokoloski</p><p>psokoloski@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Paul Sokoloski at 570-991-6392 or on Twitter @TLPaulSokoloski</p></shirttailMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><videoMeta><p><table style="border:none;width:98%;" class="mceItemTable"><tbody><tr><td style="font-weight:bold;font-size:100%;vertical-align:top;text-align:right;border:none;">VideoID:</td><td id="videoid" style="width:50em;font-size:90%;"> N0aDJ3Y7dnU</td></tr><tr><td style="font-weight:bold;font-size:100%;vertical-align:top;text-align:right;border:none;">VideoType:</td><td id="videotype" style="font-size:90%;"> YOUTUBE</td></tr><tr><td style="font-weight:bold;font-size:100%;vertical-align:top;text-align:right;border:none;">URL:</td><td id="url" style="font-size:90%;"> https://youtu.be/N0aDJ3Y7dnU</td></tr><tr><td style="font-weight:bold;font-size:100%;vertical-align:top;text-align:right;border:none;">Video Embed String:</td><td id="videoembedstring" style="font-size:90%;"> </td></tr><tr><td style="font-weight:bold;font-size:100%;vertical-align:top;text-align:right;border:none;">Video Caption:</td><td id="videocaption" style="font-size:90%;"> Trojanettes celebrate 3rd straight WVC Division 2 title</td></tr><tr><td style="font-weight:bold;font-size:100%;vertical-align:top;text-align:right;border:none;">Video Credit:</td><td id="videocredit" style="font-size:90%;"> Paul Sokoloski</td></tr><tr><td style="font-weight:bold;font-size:100%;vertical-align:top;text-align:right;border:none;">Video Position:</td><td id="videoposition" style="font-size:90%;"> </td></tr></tbody></table></p><p style="margin-top:10px;font-size:70%;color:#555;">(use the &#8220;for files&#8230;&#8221; link above to associate attached files with this source)</p></videoMeta></div>

Lisa Radziak, Kayla Aufiero take Nanticoke to WVC Division 2 title