SOUTH ABINGTON TWP. — A hot shooting start helped Abington Heights roll to an easy 63-36 win over Holy Redeemer in a non-league boys basketball game Monday night.

Jackson Danzig and Colin Klingman each connected on a pair of 3-pointers in the first quarter as the Comets raced to a 18-5 lead.

“It was a little bit of a change for us,” Abington Heights forward Tim Toro said. “We try to get the ball to the inside in the beginning of the game, but our shooters were on key tonight so we kicked the ball to the outside.”

Holy Redeemer’s defense tightened up in the second quarter, forcing three turnovers and limiting the Comets to 10 points, but Abington Heights still maintained a comfortable 28-11 lead at halftime.

“They played awesome,” Holy Redeemer head coach Paul Guido said of Abington Heights. “I said to coach (Ken) Bianchi after the game, we scouted them a few times and they were struggling shooting the ball from the perimeter in the first two games. We were hoping to get a similar performance tonight and pack (our defense) down on their big guys, but they started the game (shooting) lights out and it was tough to keep up with them from there.”

Abington Heights continued to excel on the offensive end to start the second half.

The Comets began the third quarter on an 11-0 run, courtesy of a three-point play from Toro, two 3-pointers from Klingman and one from Danzig.

“We were hoping to cut into the deficit right after halftime, but it was like they had a whole renewed energy to start the third quarter,” Guido said.

Toro, a 6-foot-9 senior, who scored a game-high 17 points, scored seven in the third when the Comets stretched their lead to 31 points.

Seth Maxwell, a 6-foot-10 junior, added six points, six rebounds and four assists to give Abington Heights a strong inside presence.

“Once we start hitting shots outside, it opens up space inside for our big men,” Klingman said.

The Comets defense also played a big role in the team’s victory by forcing Holy Redeemer to commit 13 turnovers.

“Our main focus is playing good defense,” Klingman said. “We know it will help us get some easy baskets in transition.”

Abington Heights (3-0) will host Riverside at 7:15 p.m. Friday.

Abington Heights’ Jackson Danzig scored 10 points and grabbed four rebounds during the Comets’ 63-36 win over Holy Redeemer in a non-league boys basketball game Monday.
http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/web1_ABJ-AH-Basketball-Danzig.jpg.optimal.jpgAbington Heights’ Jackson Danzig scored 10 points and grabbed four rebounds during the Comets’ 63-36 win over Holy Redeemer in a non-league boys basketball game Monday. Stephanie Walkowski photos | For Abington Journal

Abington Heights guard Colin Klingman finished with 12 points during the Comets’ 63-36 win over Holy Redeemer in a non-league boys basketball game Monday.
http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/web1_ABJ-AH-Basketball-Klingman.jpg.optimal.jpgAbington Heights guard Colin Klingman finished with 12 points during the Comets’ 63-36 win over Holy Redeemer in a non-league boys basketball game Monday. Stephanie Walkowski photos | For Abington Journal

By Robert Tomkavage

rtomkavage@timesleader.com

Reach Robert Tomkavage at 570-704-3941 or on Twitter @rtomkavage.